Open University Degrees?
Discussion
Hi folks,
I've been thinking long and hard of late about self improvement, I'm an early 30's 'professional' in the energy industry but on leaving school I chose experience over education so although as my cv says lots of nice things about me, the highest academic qualification I've got is a btec in dog psychology.
After reading all the degree threads on PH I've decided to investigate doing a degree, but as I work for a living It'd have to be an OU/distance learning type affair.
Can anyone offer any insights into doing such a course?
Things like:
What do all the various degree types actually mean?
How expensive?
How long would it take?
How much time per week would I have to devote to it.
Is an OU course respected?
I'm not doing it to appeal to future employers(though that would be a bonus) it's more for my own tree hugging, inner child, self worth, plus it'd improve my presentation skills, and wake my brain up a bit.
What do you think?
I've been thinking long and hard of late about self improvement, I'm an early 30's 'professional' in the energy industry but on leaving school I chose experience over education so although as my cv says lots of nice things about me, the highest academic qualification I've got is a btec in dog psychology.
After reading all the degree threads on PH I've decided to investigate doing a degree, but as I work for a living It'd have to be an OU/distance learning type affair.
Can anyone offer any insights into doing such a course?
Things like:
What do all the various degree types actually mean?
How expensive?
How long would it take?
How much time per week would I have to devote to it.
Is an OU course respected?
I'm not doing it to appeal to future employers(though that would be a bonus) it's more for my own tree hugging, inner child, self worth, plus it'd improve my presentation skills, and wake my brain up a bit.
What do you think?
The OU is fine - also the vast majority of universities now offer some courses delivered and supported by internet (to much greater degree than most OU courses). My own institution offer quite a few at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. (Including a Sustainable Development Masters which includes a module on "Solid Wastes" - I always thought that sounded a bit of a s
t course myself 
)
>> Edited by Prof Beard on Thursday 23 February 11:08
>> Edited by Prof Beard on Thursday 23 February 11:08
t course myself ) >> Edited by Prof Beard on Thursday 23 February 11:08
>> Edited by Prof Beard on Thursday 23 February 11:08
Prof Beard said:
The OU is fine - also the vast majority of universities now offer some courses delivered and supported by internet (to much greater degree than most OU courses). My own institution offer quite a few at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. (Including a Sustainable Development Masters which includes a module on "Solid Wastes" - I always thought that sounded a bit of a s
>> Edited by Prof Beard on Thursday 23 February 11:08
>> Edited by Prof Beard on Thursday 23 February 11:08
My University was also switching to more online courses as well during my degree, especially for summer school, I took full advantage and did another four or five courses during summer school and took half a year off the end of my course. The good thing is you can do as much or as little as you want, going at your own pace more or less, I found it a natural and easy way to learn, but it's probably not for everyone the same as classroom learning doesn't suit everyone.
r988 said:
The good thing is you can do as much or as little as you want, going at your own pace more or less, I found it a natural and easy way to learn, but it's probably not for everyone the same as classroom learning doesn't suit everyone.
A very important point - you need to "try out" traditional and on-line learning before signing up to anything big to see if if suits your way of learning
I have to say this struck a chord with me....I'm interested in doing the same for no other reason than learning and interest. I'm going to do some digging along the lines already suggested hear and will report back as and when, no doubt you'll do the same.
On a lighter note, we should also be ok as there's already a smily for it.
On a lighter note, we should also be ok as there's already a smily for it.
I am part way through a degree with the OU, but had to put it on the back burner due to family, work, bereavment etc....
To get a degree you need to accumulate 360 credits, courses are worked in either 30 or 60 credits. Obviously if you do a 60 credit course it takes more work than the others, also with the foundation courses (generally neeeded) you may have to do a residential course, this is basically spending a week in the summer at one of the 'proper' unis and having a full week devoted to work.
Doing 2 of the 30 credit courses in one year is slightly more work than a 60, and it helps to have 2 courses that compliment each other, though it can be a pain if all the assignments are due at the same time!
Generally 50% of the mark is assignments, these can be computer marked mulitple choice and tutor marked, long winded question types, and the other 50% is made up of the exam.
The year generally starts in Feb/March and the exams are usually in the autumn.
If you do a 'named degree' ie a BSc in Compter Tech, then you have to do certain courses to get it, but if you go for a non named one, say you just want to have BSc after your name, then you can pick and choose the courses that suit you or intrest you. The type of degree (BSc or BA) depends on whether you do the majority of your courses in Art or Sciences.
Get in touch with them and ask for the blurb and course guide.
Not sure what the prices are now, you can also attend tutorials where you get to meet other students and your tutor, and there are a lot of online 'study rooms' bit like forums.
Hope this helps.
To get a degree you need to accumulate 360 credits, courses are worked in either 30 or 60 credits. Obviously if you do a 60 credit course it takes more work than the others, also with the foundation courses (generally neeeded) you may have to do a residential course, this is basically spending a week in the summer at one of the 'proper' unis and having a full week devoted to work.
Doing 2 of the 30 credit courses in one year is slightly more work than a 60, and it helps to have 2 courses that compliment each other, though it can be a pain if all the assignments are due at the same time!
Generally 50% of the mark is assignments, these can be computer marked mulitple choice and tutor marked, long winded question types, and the other 50% is made up of the exam.
The year generally starts in Feb/March and the exams are usually in the autumn.
If you do a 'named degree' ie a BSc in Compter Tech, then you have to do certain courses to get it, but if you go for a non named one, say you just want to have BSc after your name, then you can pick and choose the courses that suit you or intrest you. The type of degree (BSc or BA) depends on whether you do the majority of your courses in Art or Sciences.
Get in touch with them and ask for the blurb and course guide.
Not sure what the prices are now, you can also attend tutorials where you get to meet other students and your tutor, and there are a lot of online 'study rooms' bit like forums.
Hope this helps.
Have a look at www.open.ac.uk/ - loads of info there! I'm currently part way thru' a BSc with the OU - my first course was a 60pt based on Object-oriented programming - great fun. (I was the only girly in our area to do it). ATM I am studying mammalian biology. I love the diversity of the courses, and I can fit it in around the family.
speedchick said:
If you do a 'named degree' ie a BSc in Compter Tech, then you have to do certain courses to get it, but if you go for a non named one, say you just want to have BSc after your name, then you can pick and choose the courses that suit you or intrest you. The type of degree (BSc or BA) depends on whether you do the majority of your courses in Art or Sciences.
Get in touch with them and ask for the blurb and course guide.
Not sure what the prices are now, you can also attend tutorials where you get to meet other students and your tutor, and there are a lot of online 'study rooms' bit like forums.
Hope this helps.
I did my degree with the OU and found it not only a good way to learn but well repsected when it came to getting a job at the end. I did mine pretty much full time over 4 years (up to 120 credits a year which is the max the ou will allow). I also found that by mixing the subjects i was able to 'create' a degree that wasnt on offer at the time. it still works out as non named degree but people have seemed fairly happy with my rationale as noone offered a 'cyber crime' degree at the time. I picked and chose and ended up with a good (and interesting) blend of IT + criminology which is what i tell everyone my degree was in.
now the important bit! it worked out at roughtly £3300 for the whole lot and i still see my tutor from time to time. the social scene obviously isnt going to be the same as other universities but i found it a good way to learn.
I looked seriously at this a couple of years ago. Trouble was, it was going to tie up so much of my spare time, 2-4 evenings a week, plus 1 day at weekend and summer schools etc were considered a bare minimum. This was going to last for 5-6 years aswell, and the prospect of doing all that plus a full time job was too much, I was going to miss seeing my kids growing up.
So I gave up the full time job, went back to university full time, and it was the best decision I ever made!!!!!
I really do suggest you talk to your local uni's mature students unit, and let them do some sums for you. The student support package I am on actually puts me within 3-4K of where I was working full time, and contracting work in the summer more than makes up that shortfall. As a full time student, you also drop off the radar for things like Councill Tax etc.I have more time at home, get to see my kids more, because I budget better I actually have more cash in my pocket, and in 12 months when I graduate, I will be back in control of my career.
So I gave up the full time job, went back to university full time, and it was the best decision I ever made!!!!!
I really do suggest you talk to your local uni's mature students unit, and let them do some sums for you. The student support package I am on actually puts me within 3-4K of where I was working full time, and contracting work in the summer more than makes up that shortfall. As a full time student, you also drop off the radar for things like Councill Tax etc.I have more time at home, get to see my kids more, because I budget better I actually have more cash in my pocket, and in 12 months when I graduate, I will be back in control of my career.
DieselJohn said:
OU courses are respected. The academic standards may not be as high as a top uni but having one says a lot more about your personality and commitment then students that did the normal route.
Ps did you really do Dog psychology? Why do dogs sniff each others bums?
What if you do a degree part time at a normal uni while working also?
porkus said:
OU courses are respected. The academic standards may not be as high as a top uni but having one says a lot more about your personality and commitment then students that did the normal route.
Ps did you really do Dog psychology? Why do dogs sniff each others bums?
What if you do a degree part time at a normal uni while working also?
I'm not disparaging that.
In fact technically that is what I am doing now (PhD) although I happen to work in the same research group as where I am doing the PhD. porkus said:
OU courses are respected. The academic standards may not be as high as a top uni but having one says a lot more about your personality and commitment then students that did the normal route.
What if you do a degree part time at a normal uni while working also?
I'm afraid my personal view is that university degrees are no longer worth the paper they are written on. OU is no better or worse, but to be honest I wouldn't worry if someone with your experience hadn't got a degree, neither would I add any particualr weight to a recent degree qualification.
Sorry if I sound negative, but I've spent the morning working with a recent graduate with a degree in Architecture and Design who doesn't know what a soil & vent pipe or a back inlet gulley are, and who couldn't work out which was the front door and which was the back door on the plan of a house! Roughly equivalent to having an accountancy graduate who doesn't understand the concept of percentages!
>> Edited by Sam_68 on Thursday 23 February 13:29
Sam_68 said:
OU courses are respected. The academic standards may not be as high as a top uni but having one says a lot more about your personality and commitment then students that did the normal route.
What if you do a degree part time at a normal uni while working also?
I'm afraid my personal view is that university degrees are no longer worth the paper they are written on. OU is no better or worse, but to be honest I wouldn't worry if someone with your experience hadn't got a degree, neither would I add any particualr weight to a recent degree qualification.
Sorry if I sound negative, but I've spent the morning working with a recent graduate with a degree in Architecture and Design who doesn't know what a soil & vent pipe or a back inlet gulley are, and who couldn't work out which was the front door and which was the back door on the plan of a house! Roughly equivalent to having an accountancy graduate who doesn't understand the concept of percentages!
>> Edited by Sam_68 on Thursday 23 February 13:29
I have to admit I was astounded at how stupid some of the people at univeristy were, could never understand how they managed to pass, I suspect they are leaning more towards money making than learning these days though.
djfish said:
Hi folks,
I've been thinking long and hard of late about self improvement, I'm an early 30's 'professional' in the energy industry but on leaving school I chose experience over education so although as my cv says lots of nice things about me, the highest academic qualification I've got is a btec in dog psychology.
After reading all the degree threads on PH I've decided to investigate doing a degree, but as I work for a living It'd have to be an OU/distance learning type affair.
Can anyone offer any insights into doing such a course?
Things like:
What do all the various degree types actually mean?
How expensive?
How long would it take?
How much time per week would I have to devote to it.
Is an OU course respected?
I'm not doing it to appeal to future employers(though that would be a bonus) it's more for my own tree hugging, inner child, self worth, plus it'd improve my presentation skills, and wake my brain up a bit.
What do you think?
I work for the OU do you want me to PM you my work phone number and we can have a chat worked here for a few years now so can tell you loads
Kerry
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