Open University 2016 - relevant?
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I'm rapidly approaching 50 now, my kids are sixteen so I'm thinking ahead as to what I'll do in a couple of years if they fly the nest. They're both likely to head off to college in September 2017 to study sports journalism. I was involved in account management and sales for many years, then ran my own petrol station before getting into the courier business, writing a book and now I still do a little courier-ing, combining it with building the odd website and being a full time parent to the lads.
I've spotted a degree course at the Open University that would suit me down to the ground. It's involved in the business side of football which I have been partly involved in recently and consists of a three year full time, six years part time course. Costs are £5.5k a year which I would take out a loan for but I've no idea as to whether an OU degree is as worthwhile as a "normal" one. I can easily cope with the time management side of things, I definitely have the 16-18 hours a week to study and the only downside, I guess, is that I will be 54 when the course finishes.
Is that too late? I'm not financially settled enough that I'll be able to retire anytime after then but would it be worth my time doing it?
I'm rapidly approaching 50 now, my kids are sixteen so I'm thinking ahead as to what I'll do in a couple of years if they fly the nest. They're both likely to head off to college in September 2017 to study sports journalism. I was involved in account management and sales for many years, then ran my own petrol station before getting into the courier business, writing a book and now I still do a little courier-ing, combining it with building the odd website and being a full time parent to the lads.
I've spotted a degree course at the Open University that would suit me down to the ground. It's involved in the business side of football which I have been partly involved in recently and consists of a three year full time, six years part time course. Costs are £5.5k a year which I would take out a loan for but I've no idea as to whether an OU degree is as worthwhile as a "normal" one. I can easily cope with the time management side of things, I definitely have the 16-18 hours a week to study and the only downside, I guess, is that I will be 54 when the course finishes.
Is that too late? I'm not financially settled enough that I'll be able to retire anytime after then but would it be worth my time doing it?
I'll tell about my experience with the O.U. and then if you want to ask any questions then please feel free.
I retired at 60 in 2014. I decided to take an OU history degree as a retirement project. I'm taking it over 6 years part time rather than 3 years full time. I'm happy with that, I know friends who are taking two modules together and they find that rather onerous especially when it comes to submitting assignments to tutors for marking.
So far I've passed two multidisciplinary modules: AA100 and A105 and am now on A223 which is Early Modern Europe 1500-1780. I absolutely love it, its a challenge without being mind-blowingly difficult. You don't need any entry qualifications which was ideal since I hadn't studied history since O level in 1970. Taking an exam last June was a bit bizarre though as it was 41 years to the week since finals for pharmacy. You do need a reasonable standard of written English.
As I've retired I've no practical use for another degree, but from a satisfaction point of view it is unequalled.
I retired at 60 in 2014. I decided to take an OU history degree as a retirement project. I'm taking it over 6 years part time rather than 3 years full time. I'm happy with that, I know friends who are taking two modules together and they find that rather onerous especially when it comes to submitting assignments to tutors for marking.
So far I've passed two multidisciplinary modules: AA100 and A105 and am now on A223 which is Early Modern Europe 1500-1780. I absolutely love it, its a challenge without being mind-blowingly difficult. You don't need any entry qualifications which was ideal since I hadn't studied history since O level in 1970. Taking an exam last June was a bit bizarre though as it was 41 years to the week since finals for pharmacy. You do need a reasonable standard of written English.
As I've retired I've no practical use for another degree, but from a satisfaction point of view it is unequalled.
I think doing one as a retirement project is a wonderful idea, especially in a fascinating subject (History, Politics, Geography) and not have the worry of it needing to be relevant for a job.
Back to the OP, my only observation would be that you mention not being able to retire yet, should you focus more on that than retraining at this time? I have no doubt the Football course will be a lot of fun, but how certain or a job would you get at the end of it? You don't seem short of ideas and entrepreneurial spirit.
Back to the OP, my only observation would be that you mention not being able to retire yet, should you focus more on that than retraining at this time? I have no doubt the Football course will be a lot of fun, but how certain or a job would you get at the end of it? You don't seem short of ideas and entrepreneurial spirit.
Thanks for the feedback so far, interesting stuff.
Reaper - that's something that does make me wonder whether it's worth it. Right now, I act as commercial manager / secretary for a Step 6 football club, more as a hobby than a moneyspinner. I previously also worked in the media department of a football club but couldn't really progress as such as I wasn't qualified enough; if there was a vacancy, I was likely to be overlooked for someone with a degree qualification etc. The whole business side of a football club fascinates me and I'm banking on the fact that at 54, or 52 if I condense the last four years into two, I will need this to at least keep up with the others applying for this sort of job IYSWIM.
Reaper - that's something that does make me wonder whether it's worth it. Right now, I act as commercial manager / secretary for a Step 6 football club, more as a hobby than a moneyspinner. I previously also worked in the media department of a football club but couldn't really progress as such as I wasn't qualified enough; if there was a vacancy, I was likely to be overlooked for someone with a degree qualification etc. The whole business side of a football club fascinates me and I'm banking on the fact that at 54, or 52 if I condense the last four years into two, I will need this to at least keep up with the others applying for this sort of job IYSWIM.
I'm coming towards the end of my OU physics degree. I've been doing it for about 6 years now, and in that time it has become part of my lifestyle. I'll miss it once completed and will probably look at post grad' studies to continue the challenge.
Before I started I asked similar questions to yours. The responses I received were pretty much universally positive. A poster above put it beautifully succinctly; its a degree done the hard way. I have nothing but admiration for those that combine a full time job, parenting and 8-16 hours a week studying.
The only negative I can give is that it's not as good value since they put their fees up a few years ago. It still works out cheaper than a "bricks & mortar" university, especially as you get pretty much all of your study materials in the costs.
Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss further.
SteveO...
Mucking about on the PH forums when I should really be completing an Astrophysics assignment.
Before I started I asked similar questions to yours. The responses I received were pretty much universally positive. A poster above put it beautifully succinctly; its a degree done the hard way. I have nothing but admiration for those that combine a full time job, parenting and 8-16 hours a week studying.
The only negative I can give is that it's not as good value since they put their fees up a few years ago. It still works out cheaper than a "bricks & mortar" university, especially as you get pretty much all of your study materials in the costs.
Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss further.
SteveO...
Mucking about on the PH forums when I should really be completing an Astrophysics assignment.
Edited by SteveO... on Saturday 7th January 12:50
Dr Jekyll said:
An OU degree is at least as worthwhile as a 'normal' one. The degree itself is a normal one, just done the hard way.
I'd say it was better. Firstly, it is the only University in the world where all the course and teaching material is entirely transparent and peer reviewed.
Secondly, the commitment of their students is remarkable.
When I was employing I always unhesitatingly gave "extra marks" to OU Graduates, I was never disappointed.
@OP It will not be a waste of money.
I think a lot depends on the course you do. I made the mistake of studying Design and Innovation. The first year was excellent with lots to learn, well planned modules etc but then the second year was full of 'filler' and felt like it was there to make up the numbers rather than educate.
I did a Planetary Science degree with the OU, it was a lot of hard work but very satisfying and the standard of the Tutors and teaching materials was extremely high.
The Brian Cox wonders of the Universe tv program was pretty much based on the course I did so it covered everything from the big bang through, star and planet formation, geology, planetary atmospheres etc.
One of the great things about the OU is that they offer a fair bit of freedom with course choice, so you can study a wide range of subjects within the degree.
I did it out of interest and have not used it from a career point of view but I believe that most employers rate OU degrees very highly because of the drive and enthusiasm required to actually do the degree.
My only complaint about the OU is how much they have cut back on the Summer Schools, they did it because of a lack of demand for places but I found them the most enjoyable part of the whole process.
The Brian Cox wonders of the Universe tv program was pretty much based on the course I did so it covered everything from the big bang through, star and planet formation, geology, planetary atmospheres etc.
One of the great things about the OU is that they offer a fair bit of freedom with course choice, so you can study a wide range of subjects within the degree.
I did it out of interest and have not used it from a career point of view but I believe that most employers rate OU degrees very highly because of the drive and enthusiasm required to actually do the degree.
My only complaint about the OU is how much they have cut back on the Summer Schools, they did it because of a lack of demand for places but I found them the most enjoyable part of the whole process.
Thanks all, another batch of helpful posts to read... 
For those asking, this is the course I'd look to do. It's right up my street, something I am partly involved in and heavily interested in and I believe that a decent salaried position afterwards is well within my capabilities.
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/qualifications/q88
Thanks again for the help.
For those asking, this is the course I'd look to do. It's right up my street, something I am partly involved in and heavily interested in and I believe that a decent salaried position afterwards is well within my capabilities.
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/qualifications/q88
Thanks again for the help.
I completed my law degree with the OU in 2005. It took me six years whilst in full time employment.
Usually I'd come home from work, grab a bite to eat and then I'd just hit the books for the evening. Weekends tended to be taken up by the researching and writing of TMAs but planning ahead meant that it fitted in well with day-to-day life so that you could plan days for other things. It helped that my partner at the time was understanding about what I was doing.
I have to say that I absolutely loved it. Yes, it was quite a bit of work but the material was very well written indeed and the subject matter was absolutely fascinating. In fact, I can honestly say that I looked forward to sitting down at my desk of an evening and immersing myself in it.
For anyone considering it - I cannot recommend the OU highly enough. The material was excellent and support was always there if required.
You'll need to commit to it fully and plan ahead in terms of setting aside time and place. At the same time, it offers great flexibility for those with the determination to see it through and I believe it will shape you in how you approach life thereafter.
My biggest piece of advice to you if you do go ahead: Start studying each course one or maybe two weeks ahead of your official start date to give yourself a buffer to carry through your study calendar. If you fall ill, it gives you slack so that you don't fall behind. If you don't, then it's an extra week or two of revision time.
Usually I'd come home from work, grab a bite to eat and then I'd just hit the books for the evening. Weekends tended to be taken up by the researching and writing of TMAs but planning ahead meant that it fitted in well with day-to-day life so that you could plan days for other things. It helped that my partner at the time was understanding about what I was doing.
I have to say that I absolutely loved it. Yes, it was quite a bit of work but the material was very well written indeed and the subject matter was absolutely fascinating. In fact, I can honestly say that I looked forward to sitting down at my desk of an evening and immersing myself in it.
For anyone considering it - I cannot recommend the OU highly enough. The material was excellent and support was always there if required.
You'll need to commit to it fully and plan ahead in terms of setting aside time and place. At the same time, it offers great flexibility for those with the determination to see it through and I believe it will shape you in how you approach life thereafter.
My biggest piece of advice to you if you do go ahead: Start studying each course one or maybe two weeks ahead of your official start date to give yourself a buffer to carry through your study calendar. If you fall ill, it gives you slack so that you don't fall behind. If you don't, then it's an extra week or two of revision time.
I finished an OU BA(hons) last year with a v.good result, but it is a degree done the hard way. Most all of the study materials are online now for many Humanities courses, but I got by that with a lot of Tesco copier paper and a duplex laser printer.
An OU degree does push you, as there are no easy paths to a good mark other than to answer the bloody questions with the stuff in the bloody study materials, and not read too much outside the course materials. (Hums.)
Prices increased by a large amount a couple of years ago, I don't know whether its 'value' these days, but I'd have a large amount of respect for others who have done the slog. It needs a mostly distraction-free life in term time, as modules have to be completed on time. Spouses, children and 'work' make it harder.
Oxford, and many other UNis have distance learning accredited courses, including the USA and European Unis, so some shopping around might be in order as your first homework. I also started a distance Degree with Oxford, but found the level of tutorial support not up to that from the OU's Dial-A-Tutor working.
An OU degree does push you, as there are no easy paths to a good mark other than to answer the bloody questions with the stuff in the bloody study materials, and not read too much outside the course materials. (Hums.)
Prices increased by a large amount a couple of years ago, I don't know whether its 'value' these days, but I'd have a large amount of respect for others who have done the slog. It needs a mostly distraction-free life in term time, as modules have to be completed on time. Spouses, children and 'work' make it harder.
Oxford, and many other UNis have distance learning accredited courses, including the USA and European Unis, so some shopping around might be in order as your first homework. I also started a distance Degree with Oxford, but found the level of tutorial support not up to that from the OU's Dial-A-Tutor working.
Edited by Slushbox on Saturday 7th January 15:42
Do it.
I finished my BEng (Hons) in October last year, after 4 years study. Even if it never leads to a better or even different job, I have the satisfaction of knowing that I was able to successfully study at this level.
Not having previously done a degree the 'easy' way, I can't comment on the comparative difficulty, but doing the second and third years at full-time speed, as well as working 70+ hours a week certainly hurt sometimes.
A good number of fellow students I met at the two residential courses were doing it for similar reasons to yourself; they'd gone as far as they could without the paperwork and now had to 'go back to school' to progress further.
As regards the cost, this can be financed through the Open University Student Bank Account, which lets you pay by instalments over the academic year.
Krupp Stahl - give a chap a warning next time you want to use those letters, eh? "TMA" still makes me shiver!
I finished my BEng (Hons) in October last year, after 4 years study. Even if it never leads to a better or even different job, I have the satisfaction of knowing that I was able to successfully study at this level.
Not having previously done a degree the 'easy' way, I can't comment on the comparative difficulty, but doing the second and third years at full-time speed, as well as working 70+ hours a week certainly hurt sometimes.
A good number of fellow students I met at the two residential courses were doing it for similar reasons to yourself; they'd gone as far as they could without the paperwork and now had to 'go back to school' to progress further.
As regards the cost, this can be financed through the Open University Student Bank Account, which lets you pay by instalments over the academic year.
Krupp Stahl - give a chap a warning next time you want to use those letters, eh? "TMA" still makes me shiver!
Don't forget that many other Universities around the world are offering free truly "open" courseware ( https://www.edx.org/https://www.coursera.org/https://www.futurelearn.com/ ). Some will even allow you to submit assignments and tests in controlled conditions (ranging from real world exam centres to voluntary webcam monitoring) and give you credit in the form of a printed certificate that they validate. Clearly the value of that credit depends on the particular institution involved - MIT's credit is probably worth a bit more than The Alderman Nbangwalele College just above the bookies in the high street. Some of these courses are short, maybe 2 hours a week for 4 weeks, but 6.002x at MIT is 28 weeks, a minimum of 10 hours per week. It may be free, but it isn't light weight or trivial.
Having seen the OU's fees, I would definitely consider alternative courses! My personal feeling (and I know I'm going to get shouted at here) having helped a friend through his first Degree with the OU (in a similar subject to my bricks-and-mortar one) is that the OU course somehow doesn't have the depth and cohesion of a full time physical course. The teaching and material felt a bit "light", lacking depth and reliant on written assignments rather than extensive worked tutorials that may fuse together sub-disciplines of the same field.
Having said that, I would give anyone with an OU Degree full credit for their commitment and work, but I would expect their skills to be different to those learned in a conventional institution - probably more relevant to a work environment, but less thorough.
Having seen the OU's fees, I would definitely consider alternative courses! My personal feeling (and I know I'm going to get shouted at here) having helped a friend through his first Degree with the OU (in a similar subject to my bricks-and-mortar one) is that the OU course somehow doesn't have the depth and cohesion of a full time physical course. The teaching and material felt a bit "light", lacking depth and reliant on written assignments rather than extensive worked tutorials that may fuse together sub-disciplines of the same field.
Having said that, I would give anyone with an OU Degree full credit for their commitment and work, but I would expect their skills to be different to those learned in a conventional institution - probably more relevant to a work environment, but less thorough.
OP something else to consider....
Universities offer part time distance learning masters degrees at a cheaper price than you would be paying for your undergrad.
Of course you will need to meet the requirements to be accepted but that doesn't mean you need to have completed an undergrad degree. A masters should put you pretty high up in the cv pile.
However I would also echo the first post that you should give serious thought prior to committing and borrowing money if this is purely a hobby of sorts. I can think of better ways to spend the loan since there are plenty of free ways to learn new skills online.
Universities offer part time distance learning masters degrees at a cheaper price than you would be paying for your undergrad.
Of course you will need to meet the requirements to be accepted but that doesn't mean you need to have completed an undergrad degree. A masters should put you pretty high up in the cv pile.
However I would also echo the first post that you should give serious thought prior to committing and borrowing money if this is purely a hobby of sorts. I can think of better ways to spend the loan since there are plenty of free ways to learn new skills online.
Good luck, whilst not Open University, I studied at a "redbrick" although at Nightschool, the responses I received were always positive (no-one cared or asked about the course / Uni) but the fact you have the self-drive to attend and complete such a course speaks volumes about your attitude and approach.
I got a promotion, explicitly due to the fact I was studying the course, my manager at the time told me it was why I was selected, above others with more experience / qualifications.
Currently studying for my MSc, distance learning too
I got a promotion, explicitly due to the fact I was studying the course, my manager at the time told me it was why I was selected, above others with more experience / qualifications.
Currently studying for my MSc, distance learning too
SVS said:
Resurrected to ask how much study time is usual per Open University module. How many hours a week does an OU module really take? 
I'm studying my BEng in Engineering part-time at the moment. Part-time study is 60 credits a year, or half that you would do when studying full time. The OU states this would take 16 hours per week.
I'm two years in, and I've probably done 16 hours worth of study in 18 months - Not including the time I spend when an assignment is due, which is 3-5 times per module and I'll just spend a whole day on it and crank it out (5 days per 6 months...). I already work in Engineering, and a lot of it is very much common sense, so it doesn't take me much time, whereas those on the course with me who have no experience whatsoever seem to be constantly studying away.
I'd recommend it either way. Sure it'll take me 6 years to get my degree, but I'm in no rush, and honestly only doing it as my employer offered to pay for it. Better late than never, right?
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