Open University?

[ChristophStone]

Has anyone any experience of Open University courses, or the like?

The reason I ask is that I achieved C C D grades (English Language, Religion + Philosophy, and Graphic Design) in my A levels the year before last, because I thought I could get by without putting enough work in, and it came back to haunt me. I had no intention of going to University, so I wasn't that bothered at the time - but after a year of call centre work, and front of house theatre jobs, I'm starting to regret not trying that much harder and leaving my options open.

I don't really want to apply to Uni with my current grades, and going back to college just seems to reek of being the kid that gets held back a year in school, so I'm not too keen on that either. I'm thinking of applying for san evening course, or an OU course to prove at least to myself I can commit to the work, and then apply to Uni after that.

Is this a good idea? Has anyone re-taken A levels, and got any comments on it?

Thanks

CT

[andy400]

1. Those grades will give you a big choice of courses at University - perhaps not at Oxbridge, Durham etc, but there's plenty more.
2. I went back for a year after having far too much of a good time during my 6th form years, never regretted it. Worked hard, played hard, made new friends whilst keeping the old ones, came out of it with significantly more and better A-levels than most people. Didn't experience any particular stigma with the situation.
3. That said, I hear the OU is pretty darned good if that's the way you'd prefer to go. Can take a while to get the quals though.

[ChristophStone]

andy400 said:

1. Those grades will give you a big choice of courses at University - perhaps not at Oxbridge, Durham etc, but there's plenty more.
2. I went back for a year after having far too much of a good time during my 6th form years, never regretted it. Worked hard, played hard, made new friends whilst keeping the old ones, came out of it with significantly more and better A-levels than most people. Didn't experience any particular stigma with the situation.
3. That said, I hear the OU is pretty darned good if that's the way you'd prefer to go. Can take a while to get the quals though.

I went through a 6th form and I don't think they will allow me back there, colleges are a bit limited in my area so that is another reason I don't really want to retake the exams.

I was expecting (and expected to achieve) much higher grades than I actually did. So in a way, I'm a little embarrased of applying to Universities with two Cs and a D, when I should have been getting As and Bs.

TheOopen University look to offer some decent courses, but I don't really know how they work. I will look into it I guess.

Cheers

CT

[andy400]

ChristophStone said:

andy400 said:

1. Those grades will give you a big choice of courses at University - perhaps not at Oxbridge, Durham etc, but there's plenty more.
2. I went back for a year after having far too much of a good time during my 6th form years, never regretted it. Worked hard, played hard, made new friends whilst keeping the old ones, came out of it with significantly more and better A-levels than most people. Didn't experience any particular stigma with the situation.
3. That said, I hear the OU is pretty darned good if that's the way you'd prefer to go. Can take a while to get the quals though.

I went through a 6th form and I don't think they will allow me back there, colleges are a bit limited in my area so that is another reason I don't really want to retake the exams.

I was expecting (and expected to achieve) much higher grades than I actually did. So in a way, I'm a little embarrased of applying to Universities with two Cs and a D, when I should have been getting As and Bs.

TheOopen University look to offer some decent courses, but I don't really know how they work. I will look into it I guess.

Cheers

CT

I went to a local college, not the same school, sorry for not being clear.

I know what you mean re embarassment, but that's a problem only you can solve. My grades were worse than yours after my sixth form, but I had universities chasing me to join their courses! - don't forget it's a numbers game as much as anything for a lot of quality unis. Once you're there of course, your A-levels really cease to matter in any great way and what you achieve whilst you are there is what will matter in the future.

[ChristophStone]

Does anyone know if you can re-sit A levels in your own time, without enrolling in a college ect? How would I go about this?

Cheers

CT

[turbobloke]

As others have said, with C C D and depending on the institution and course, you could well be looking at an unconditional offer. What would you like to study, if you had the choice, and where? If I missed that bit earlier in the thread - oooops in advance.

[ChristophStone]

I'm interested in English language and creative writing, or some kind of design - I knew that when I chose my A levels which is why they were the subjects I went for. As to where...? I don't know. Bournemouth and Southampton are both Local, and I have mates at Reading and Winchester. I prefer the southern Counties.

Cheers

Chris

[elster]

It is purely a point based system these days.

So you could always do another A level, if wanting to get into the Universities.

[turbobloke]

ChristophStone said:

I'm interested in English language and creative writing, or some kind of design - I knew that when I chose my A levels which is why they were the subjects I went for. As to where...? I don't know. Bournemouth and Southampton are both Local, and I have mates at Reading and Winchester. I prefer the southern Counties.

Bournemouth University, just taking one of the places you mention, offers English related degrees where the entry requirements could be English at A-level (one other might do) but they seem to rate interest and motivation as much as subjects and grades in that area. Their design courses have a tariff close to your points score, why not get searching for some specifics that you might be interested in?