Open University advice

beachBOYken

beachBOYken

beachBOYken

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Hi

I have recently registered for study starting in March , the route I have began on is Access to Success where you get funding if eligible.

I would like to know if its a bad idea to change to something else after hopefully completing my first modules.

I will be starting on Introducing Enviroment hopefully I will enjoy it but other fields of study interest me, such as History.

Any of you guys studying with the OU do you change subjects at all?


thanks
 
beachBOYken said:
Hi

I have recently registered for study starting in March , the route I have began on is Access to Success where you get funding if eligible.

I would like to know if its a bad idea to change to something else after hopefully completing my first modules.

I will be starting on Introducing Enviroment hopefully I will enjoy it but other fields of study interest me, such as History.

Any of you guys studying with the OU do you change subjects at all?


thanks
Click to expand...

I'm studying with them now towards B61 Design and Innovation
However, I started towards a more general Engineering degree in 2010.

I changed my mind and it all just depends on whether the modules count towards your point total for the qualification you end up on.

I need 360 points and 60 of those are completely optional meaning I can study ANY OU module to make this up.
So I chose Networking, Astronomy, Frozen Planet and Volcanoes. 1x 30pointer and 3x 10 pointers.

The Networking module was originally going to count towards my Engineering degree but I used it as one of the optional modules for the new Design degree.


So yes you can change your plan and it's likely you can still count points towards a future qualification but not always. Maybe best to look at the other things that interest you now and find out if you get some 'free points' in which case what you're doing now can count towards it.
 
Did one module TU100 which was the first mandatory course for the BSc Computing, got banned from the forum twice because I engaged a troll on the forum who didn't get banned. The module was so very basic and my tutor was worse than useless.
 
thanks

The first step of my course is 15 points and then step 2 which I can choose another study but they say its best to study something in the same field is 60 points.

I gather theses points go towards a Qualification so Is it a case of studying modules and then putting all the points towards a Qualification?
 
beachBOYken said:
thanks

The first step of my course is 15 points and then step 2 which I can choose another study but they say its best to study something in the same field is 60 points.

I gather theses points go towards a Qualification so Is it a case of studying modules and then putting all the points towards a Qualification?
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Yup there are various options. Certificates typically 60 points or 90 points, Diplomas usually 120 points or so or more if it's a higher one.
Standard degree is 300 or with honors is 360.

It can be a long slog like but personally I much prefer learning this way. I don't have any involvement with the other students or the tutor. Just get my books, read them and do it.


It's good to get in some 60 point modules if you can. Luckily, for me, almost ALL of them are 60 points so it's not taking too long. My partners are all 30 points and it's taking her forever.
Of course, 60 points is more work than a 30 points but from what i've seen it's nowhere near double.

The OU site has a page in your student home where you can click something like 'next module to study' and it goes through all the things you have to do, and shows you the optional things too.
 
yeah I think the 60 point modules will be best but I'm just starting out so a 15 point first off will be ideal for me but I think I have the time for 60 point modules.

I was just worried that once I have chosen a module I would have to go down that specific study area , but if I can change to something else after that would be good.

Arts and Humanities is an area that interests me also.
 
Yes good idea to start with a smaller one as not everyone enjoys the learning style through OU. Best to get an idea first.

It's hard to really say if it can count really it just depends on the one you end up going for and how many 'free points' this allows. As I said, my qualification allowed 60 free points but i'm not sure if this is standard or if it varies between qualifications.

Maybe check out some that interest you and see what it says at the bottom. It usually states how many free points you can use from any OU module. If not, give them a call and they can go through it quickly enough
 
A lot of degree's do have a specific 360 points you need to do, but many have optional bits and of course, you don't have to do a structured degree, you can do an Open degree, meaning you can do 360 points of whatever the hell you want.

Overall its best to stick to one or two subjects because in a lot of area's one module to a certain degree follows on from another. It would be insanely difficult to pass a level 3 maths module without having done the level 1/2 modules before it to learn much of the stuff you need to do the level 3 module.

Theres lots of mixed discipline degree's, computing and maths, where again you're mostly building on modules from the level before but less extra modules to be done(and I think typically no optional modules as with two area's for study to do much useful it needs to all be in those two areas).

Ultimately, you might completely change your mind on where you go and 15 points isn't make or break. if in 4-5 years you have a degree, and one extra 15 point module that doesn't count for anything but got you started and you enjoyed doing, thats all that matters really.

A lot of the introduction modules are more about having some practice essay writing, seeing if you enjoy learning, getting you comfortable with the style of learning, talking to tutors than the actual subject matter being very difficult or important IMHO.
 
Im seriously looking into doing a OU course. Ive been out of education for 7 years now and my intelligence is pretty low. Im looking at doing a 15 credit course like the OP to make sure its for me.
But im quite confused with all this education jargon like credits and what you do with them. What does it mean, so if i earn 300 points, will that equals a degree in what my points were awarded?
whats BSc Honour degree mean, is that quite high up?
 
Last edited:
bakes0310 said:
Im seriously looking into doing a OU course. Ive been out of education for 7 years now and my intelligence is pretty low. Im looking at doing a 15 credit course like the OP to make sure its for me.
But im quite confused with all this education jargon like credits and what you do with them. What does it mean, so if i earn 300 points, will that equals a degree in what my points were awarded?
whats BSc Honour degree mean, is that quite high up?
Click to expand...

You'll need to earn so many points to be awarded a degree. Modules will be worth typically 10-20 points with a dissertation being 30-40, depending on the course. You have to complete compulsory modules as a foundation and then you're free to make up the rest of the points in modules of your own choosing.

Yes, an honours degree is considered higher than a non-honours degree. Typically, the honours part is earned when a dissertation/thesis is completed as part of the course.

So, let's say 280 gets you your BSc, whereas 300+ and completion of the dissertation gets you the BSc (Hons).

There should be a breakdown available somewhere of the exact module points and how many points are needed for your degree.
 
Thanks Nix i think i get it:)
Im interested in doing psychology and there seems to be quite a lot of course and types of course so its a bit overwhelming. This is what i was thinking of doing:
Start with an opening course to see if the subject and UO is for me.
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/y183.htm

Then the next course that is recommended is a level 1 course.
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/dse141.htm

Doing them will get me 45 credits and a basic knowledge on the subject that should help me onto a the next step. But thats where it gets hard to decide. I can do a Open CertHE or diploma or even a degree with honours. I think for me im better off taking small steps.
 
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