Just looking for experience and views on doing an OU course vs going full time on a degree at a local university. I am lucky to live near (and actually currently work at) a university where I am confident I would be able to meet the entry requirements. There is also a very good University within commutable distance that I would consider applying to (less confident on meeting their entry requirements).
I know the career route I now want to go down but not sure how best to approach it as I would need to keep working in some capacity, and I have a decent job that pays well at a uni that is very good to its staff in terms of flexibility and understanding of my daughters additional care needs which means I need a bit of flex with work every now and then when she is unwell and has to be admitted to hospital (2 -3 times a year). Part time may be an option for me but may mean a change of role and I'd have to commit to certain days, the benefit of studying at the uni I work for is I'd possibly be able to find out sooner what the contact days are likely to be and ask to work around those days, but I know this won't stay the same every year/semester.
Open University is cheaper, would be way easier to work around my work and caring responsibilities but I worry I won't get the networking and career opportunities as opposed to going to a campus. I also think I would struggle without the structure of a traditional uni timetable but then I'd be in a much better position financially if I did OU.
I am very fortunate to have the job that I do but I cannot be in uni admin for the rest of my life, I need to do something more with myself but feeling very stuck.