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Original poster

Ou have just written saying I can have a degree; or maybe not - what should I do?

16 replies

KatyMac · 25/10/2011 11:11

If I pass what is outstanding atm I can have an 'ordinary' degree or if I do another 60 points I can have an honours degree

Why would I chose one or another?

I intend to do an EYP.......

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Pascha · 25/10/2011 11:17

EYP - Early Years Professional yes? Depends really if the ordinary degree gets you onto the next part then I would accept that. Do you want to put in the extra work for the honours? Is it worth it in the long run? Will the honours make any difference?

Original poster
KatyMac · 25/10/2011 11:24

I don't really know

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Original poster
KatyMac · 25/10/2011 11:34

I rang UEA who say it's changing for the January intake and they don't know what it will be, what the course is called, how much it will be or anything

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VJaaarrrggghhh · 25/10/2011 11:37

Hi Katymac I've just had the same email, but I'm already on my next module so I'm going for honours.
I was told that I can get into teaching with an ordinary degree but I would be up against honours grads, so decided to go for it.

JeanBodel · 25/10/2011 11:51

Is an ordinary degree the same as what they used to call a 'recommended pass' when I was uni?

It came below a third class honours degree and, to be honest, was considered a bit like getting a D at GCSE - yes, you've got it, but's it not really a pass, is it?

Many apologies if I've got the wrong idea.

Original poster
KatyMac · 25/10/2011 11:58

I don't know

I thought if you did a dissertation you got an Honours & if you didn't you got an ordinary degree Blush - imagine not knowing

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VJaaarrrggghhh · 25/10/2011 12:01

All I know is that 300 points is an ordinary degree and 360 points is an honours degree.

SandStorm · 25/10/2011 12:04

If I were you I would go for the honours. I stopped my OU course with an ordinary degree 14 years ago and when I decided to go for a career change it was as good as nothing. Everyone wanted a 2.2 at least so I had to top up my degree by doing an additional level 3 course.

Splinters · 25/10/2011 12:48

Don't know exactly how OU works but in most English universities BA (hons) is standard, plain BA is for those who haven't even managed a third. 360 credits is the norm too. Obviously in your case a non-hons degree would not be indicating that you'd just scraped through, but most people will judge your degree by the standards they are used to and not do special research about yours.

Since you've made all the effort to get this far, if you can find the time for the last 60, I would definitely recommend that.

gelatinous · 25/10/2011 15:09

If you accept the ordinary degree can you upgrade it to an honours one in the future or are you then stuck with it?

Peachy · 25/10/2011 15:14

I don't know an admissions tutor who is not familiar with the OU scheme, and the local uni specilaises in part in teaching.

Although personally I would always aim for the most competitive option- so the extra module.

If you are planning on a PGCE or further quals why not email the admissions dept at your chosen uni? you'd be amazed how helpful they can be. And how well it seems to reflect on you as a keen applicant.

crystalglasses · 25/10/2011 15:18

Go for the honours. I don't think many universities grant non honours degrees these days. PGCE courses are fairly competitive and you may find yourself at a disadvantage if you don't. Having said that, if you think you may end up with a 3rd anyway, there's not really any point.

Original poster
KatyMac · 25/10/2011 15:19

I did ring the UEA but as the EYP is changing due to workforce development changes, they can't tell me anything

It's frustrating but I will have to wait

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Thzumbazombiewitch · 25/10/2011 15:22

Go for the Honours. Again, it's all probably changed, but when I was at university years ago, a friend of mine failed too many modules to be allowed to do the Honours degree and so only got an ordinary degree. She didn't fail enough to be kicked off - but it was definitely a lower quality degree, sort of between an HND (Higher National Diploma) and an Honours Degree.

As someone has already said - when you're likely to be up against Honours degree candidates, it's a good idea to have one yourself.

inmysparetime · 26/10/2011 08:25

I'm taking the non-honours degree as I am already vastly over qualified for my job (nursery nurse) and just wanted to do enough to be able to put "early years BA" on my CV and the who's who board in the lobby at nursery as nobody seems to know what a foundation degree is and I'm sick of explaining it.
I found out that KE312 has a stand alone certificate too, that entitles me to also use the letters "CertWTC(open)" after my name.
I suspect when faced with the 43 letters that will be after my name, people will be distracted from the lack of honoursGrin.

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KatyMac · 27/10/2011 12:06

Well as I own my own business (nursery) I'm unlikely to ever need to prove anything to anyone

But I'll do the Honours I think

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