Open University study?

Author
Discussion

fin racer

Original Poster:

766 posts

227 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
Does anyone on here have any experience of studying with the OU?

In terms of support, study material etc?

Background is I have been considering a BSC Hons in Computing & IT. I understand the slog involved (and roughly the cost involved), having previously completed a couple of vendor-neutral entry-level IT qualifications via home study.
I work full time in an industry not directly-related to IT.

thanks folks

IntegraTypeR

100 posts

249 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
Hi i've just finished an OU BSc Computing after 7 years study - results due in December!. Happy to answer any specific questions you might have.

Cheers

Ian

fin racer

Original Poster:

766 posts

227 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
IntegraTypeR said:
Hi i've just finished an OU BSc Computing after 7 years study - results due in December!. Happy to answer any specific questions you might have.

Cheers

Ian
Hi Ian,


thanks for that, what is your background, academic-wise? How did you find the support offered, and almost number-one priority, what was the cost!

IntegraTypeR

100 posts

249 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
My academic background was not exactly first class smile very poor GCSEs (all below C) and a BTEC National Diploma in Computing. TBH I didn't become interested in learning/education until my mid 20s which is something I regret looking back. I guess the message here is that you don't need a solid academic background as long as you're motivated and willing to put in the work required.

Support wise, you tend to have 3 options available

1) Your tutor - contactable via email/phone (most prefer you only call if really urgent but the option is there if you need it)
2) Online forum system for openly discussing course content and sharing ideas with tutors/students (not just your tutor - all course tutors tend to pitch in)
3) Tutorials (mostly weekends) - these are optional but a great way to meet your tutor and other students and are usually ~4-5 hours. There were usually around 4 of these per course.

I tended not to lean on my tutors all that much unless I was really stuck on something. That said, the interaction I did have was always very helpful and I was generally quite happy with their support. The final project requires a much higher degree of interaction with your tutor but I found this to work very well.
I used the forums as my primary source of help, especially when attempting to answer assesment questions (or to figure out what question was actually being asked!). I attended most of the tutorials on offer and generally found them to be quite a relaxed affair but very informative and enjoyable.

I've not worked out the total cost but I'd guess something in the region of £5k. Compared to full time study I think this represents a very good deal! (believe prices will remain in this region for the duration of a degree if you sign up soon - check the OU website for details).

Some other random things of interest in no particular order

I found the course materials to be of a very high standard. You tend to get material in both printed and electronic (pdf) form which is great for studying on the train as I did. Each course consists of around 4 TMAs (tutor marked assessments) and most finish with an exam.

- Level 1 courses are relatively easy academically but are primarily to introduce you to the OU way of learning and to get you up to speed with self driven study. I found them to be the perfect introduction. There are no exams at level 1 - just end of course assesments (well, certainly for the level 1 courses I took).
- Level 2 courses will start to test the grey matter and the pace and volume of work picks up significantly at this point. Each level 2 course ends in in an exam which can initially be a shock to the system if you've been away from education as long as I had. It's amazing how "spent" you feel after thinking/writing for a solid 3 hours!
- Level 3 courses build on level 2 and again the volume and complexity increases significantly. Each level 3 course, except the final project end in an exam.

I've been in full time employment for the duration of the degree.

Hope that helps - let me know if there's anything else you want to know.

Ian

Edited by IntegraTypeR on Thursday 3rd November 21:21

trix-a-belle

1,054 posts

174 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
key think at the moment, get registered on something if you are thinking of doing it so you get your courses at the current fees rather than the £5k for 120 credits that will be brought in at the end of next year http://www3.open.ac.uk/media/fullstory.aspx?id=215...

S
(currently studying a BEng (Hons) with the OU with 18 months of study left roughly

fin racer

Original Poster:

766 posts

227 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
thanks Ian and trix.

I am torn between getting my expense of my wedding out of the way first ( next July) or just signing up and getting stuck in.
I am led to believe, that course fees for students in Northern Ireland ( such as myself) are not to increase as of next year.
For me its a big commitment, so I want to be sure its going to pay off.
Thanks for offer of further help Ian, I may well take you up on that

fin racer

Original Poster:

766 posts

227 months

Thursday 3rd November 2011
quotequote all
IntegraTypeR said:
My academic background was not exactly first class smile very poor GCSEs (all below C) and a BTEC National Diploma in Computing. TBH I didn't become interested in learning/education until my mid 20s which is something I regret looking back. I guess the message here is that you don't need a solid academic background as long as you're motivated and willing to put in the work required.

Support wise, you tend to have 3 options available

1) Your tutor - contactable via email/phone (most prefer you only call if really urgent but the option is there if you need it)
2) Online forum system for openly discussing course content and sharing ideas with tutors/students (not just your tutor - all course tutors tend to pitch in)
3) Tutorials (mostly weekends) - these are optional but a great way to meet your tutor and other students and are usually ~4-5 hours. There were usually around 4 of these per course.

I tended not to lean on my tutors all that much unless I was really stuck on something. That said, the interaction I did have was always very helpful and I was generally quite happy with their support. The final project requires a much higher degree of interaction with your tutor but I found this to work very well.
I used the forums as my primary source of help, especially when attempting to answer assesment questions (or to figure out what question was actually being asked!). I attended most of the tutorials on offer and generally found them to be quite a relaxed affair but very informative and enjoyable.

I've not worked out the total cost but I'd guess something in the region of £5k. Compared to full time study I think this represents a very good deal! (believe prices will remain in this region for the duration of a degree if you sign up soon - check the OU website for details).

Some other random things of interest in no particular order

I found the course materials to be of a very high standard. You tend to get material in both printed and electronic (pdf) form which is great for studying on the train as I did. Each course consists of around 4 TMAs (tutor marked assessments) and most finish with an exam.

- Level 1 courses are relatively easy academically but are primarily to introduce you to the OU way of learning and to get you up to speed with self driven study. I found them to be the perfect introduction. There are no exams at level 1 - just end of course assesments (well, certainly for the level 1 courses I took).
- Level 2 courses will start to test the grey matter and the pace and volume of work picks up significantly at this point. Each level 2 course ends in in an exam which can initially be a shock to the system if you've been away from education as long as I had. It's amazing how "spent" you feel after thinking/writing for a solid 3 hours!
- Level 3 courses build on level 2 and again the volume and complexity increases significantly. Each level 3 course, except the final project end in an exam.

I've been in full time employment for the duration of the degree.

Hope that helps - let me know if there's anything else you want to know.

Ian

forgetting my manners, good luck for december Ian, and £5K sounds about what I had costed it at too

Edited by IntegraTypeR on Thursday 3rd November 21:21

IntegraTypeR

100 posts

249 months

Friday 4th November 2011
quotequote all
You're welcome and thanks smile

One other thing to add is that I would not hesitate to recommend the OU. I think it's a fantastic (and relatively cost effective!) way to earn a degree providing you go into it with your eyes open smile

Given the relatively small cost associated with a level 1 course my recommendation would be to get started as soon as you can. If you decide it's not for you then youve not lost too much.

fin racer

Original Poster:

766 posts

227 months

Friday 4th November 2011
quotequote all
hmmm,


I am coming round to the notion that you are right. I might as well get started.
Are you currently working in IT?

IntegraTypeR

100 posts

249 months

Friday 4th November 2011
quotequote all
Yep. when I started the degree I was in a unix and infrastructure role but managed to move into a .net developer role within the same company just over a year ago. The OU study played a big part in my ability to perform the new role (but still have an enourmous amount to learn!)

aclivity

4,072 posts

187 months

Friday 4th November 2011
quotequote all
IntegraTypeR said:
One other thing to add is that I would not hesitate to recommend the OU. I think it's a fantastic (and relatively cost effective!) way to earn a degree providing you go into it with your eyes open smile

Given the relatively small cost associated with a level 1 course my recommendation would be to get started as soon as you can. If you decide it's not for you then youve not lost too much.
As a current OU student - I can heartily second this opinion. You may also be able to collect some diploma qualifications on the way to a full degree, if you plan ahead (I am also awaiting results for my current course, if I have passed I will be 1 or 2 years away from completing the degree, but I will also qualify for a Diploma in Systems Practice this year).

You can also do an "open" degree, whereby you collect points to get a degree that is not aligned to a single subject area (this is what I am doing) so I have collected courses in IT and technology, as well as systems and management, and am considering a psychology module to finish off.

Xaero

4,060 posts

214 months

Friday 4th November 2011
quotequote all
I've just started Open uni (3 days ago) and it seems alright so far.

Tutorials are basically logging in an online forum (just like this one) and talking with tutor and fellow students. Mid way through the course are several assessments that your tutor marks and they build upon each other.

I'm doing an open degree and transferring 240 credits from previous study so jumping straight into level 3. Mostly business based courses. First course is a 30 credit one, will start a 60 credit in February and another 30 credits in May so should be done in October when the fee's go up.

aclivity

4,072 posts

187 months

Friday 4th November 2011
quotequote all
Xaero said:
First course is a 30 credit one, will start a 60 credit in February and another 30 credits in May so should be done in October when the fee's go up.
As you have already started study, the fees won't go up for you until 2017, as long as you study a course each year..

fin racer

Original Poster:

766 posts

227 months

Friday 4th November 2011
quotequote all
thanks for input guys, all looks good so far

fin racer

Original Poster:

766 posts

227 months

Thursday 24th November 2011
quotequote all
quick update,

i have enrolled for the first module on B62 (BSc (Hons) Computing & IT).

Here goes nothing, 5 or so years of hard slog, but, no point in standing still eh?

I will get the chance early next year to get involved in BC policy in regards to IT with work, so a little glimmer of doing something remotely interesting in work smile

tank slapper

7,949 posts

282 months

Thursday 24th November 2011
quotequote all
Certainly a good move starting now. If you wait until next year you will pay substantially higher fees. Now you will have the same fee structure at present until 2017 providing you have linked the module to a qualification.

Depending on your current income you may qualify for financial support even if you are working. Check the website for more details as a lot of people don't realise it.

IntegraTypeR

100 posts

249 months

Thursday 24th November 2011
quotequote all
Best of luck!

Do make an effort to get to the tutorials if you can - I found the level 1 tutorials to be nicely paced and it's a great way to meet others on the course so you can call them when you get stuck smile

fin racer

Original Poster:

766 posts

227 months

Thursday 24th November 2011
quotequote all
tank slapper said:
Certainly a good move starting now. If you wait until next year you will pay substantially higher fees. Now you will have the same fee structure at present until 2017 providing you have linked the module to a qualification.

Depending on your current income you may qualify for financial support even if you are working. Check the website for more details as a lot of people don't realise it.
yes tank, I sussed that after multiple searches on the rather confusing site.

I have just managed to get support and the first module is only costing me just over £100.
Am I right in saying I can make financial support applications for each module?


tank slapper

7,949 posts

282 months

Thursday 24th November 2011
quotequote all
You can make a financial support application for every module you do. You may not get support for all of them you do in an academic year, but it is worth applying nonetheless. That only applies to 30 and 60 point modules however as 10 and 15 point modules have a different support scheme with different criteria.

You may not need to do a new form every time if it's within the same year - best thing is to ask when you register if your previous application can be used on the current module.

fin racer

Original Poster:

766 posts

227 months

Thursday 24th November 2011
quotequote all
tank slapper said:
You can make a financial support application for every module you do. You may not get support for all of them you do in an academic year, but it is worth applying nonetheless. That only applies to 30 and 60 point modules however as 10 and 15 point modules have a different support scheme with different criteria.

You may not need to do a new form every time if it's within the same year - best thing is to ask when you register if your previous application can be used on the current module.
I thought I was right in saying that, thanks for confirming.

What have you studied with OU?