Advice on OU Student support

[unfitmother]

I decided I needed to defer my course as my Mum is dying.
I am over half way through my last level 3 course before completeing my degree. Whilst I have been given an extension for TMA4 I've no idea what will be happening by the time TMA5 occurs and my tutor says he can't give me an extension for that.

Mum's prognosis is uncertain so she could be around in October (exam time) or could just have died before it so I thought I needed to have one less stress in my life.

I phoned Student support on Thursday evening and was told that I could not defer and there were no substitutions on my course, I would have to give up (though I've passed 3 TMAs already!) and start again, he e-mailed me a form to apply for a 50% rebate on my fees. I was devastated and sobbing, I couldn't believe how cruel it was.

Phoned Student support during office hours the next day and much more helpful lady explained that due my marks for the first 3 TMAs, even if I don't submit anything for the next 2 TMAs I've already passed and I can defer the exam if necessary!

So, my advice would be always call during office hours if you can!

Don't forget to do a special circumstances form. It goes to the exam board and they may even raise your grade to something closer to that which would would have achieved had you been able to keep working at previous levels.

Glad you finally got good info. Take care if yourself as well as everyone else x

I managed to get 40%! My worst mark ever but considering what I was going through I'm happy.
I didn't do a special circumstances form as you need evidence and I didn't feel like asking the hospice doctors to write me letters, I'd rather they were looking after my Mum.

Sadly Mum died yesterday morning.

I will do a special circ form next time, with a copy of the death certificate.

Oh I'm so sorry for you. But pleased the OU were reasonable in the end.