Open University

davestar_delux · 7 Jun 2009 at 20:45

Hey, I am currently working full-time in the middle of nowhere but wanting to gain another degree, I already have a HND in this subject so think I should be able to straight up do a 3rd year with the OU pretty quickly.

Has anyone any experiences with them? Is this possible and how hard is OU compared to attending University courses? Did you do the credit transfer process and did it go smoothly i.e. were all your credits acknowledged at the level you hoped?

Would appreciate any feedback anyone can give me on their OU experiences.

muon · 7 Jun 2009 at 20:47

Also take a look at this

http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/

The degrees are arguably more reputable because they are done by UoL institutions.

edit: probably not ideal for you, you want to convert credits.

J.B · 7 Jun 2009 at 20:52

Would a HND get you straight into the 3rd year? I didnt think they are rated that highly.

I know a few people who have done OU degrees and I think they require a lot of self discipline and you have to be very passionate about the subject.

w11tho · 7 Jun 2009 at 20:55

With regard difficulty, it completely depends where you're comparing the course to. If you're comparing to Wrexham college of arts and technology, then the OU physics course is likely to be tougher than theirs. However, compared to the Imperial course, it's going to be easier.

An OU degree is a great way of showing that you're willing to work hard and commit to something. Just don't expect it (which includes a lot of time and money) to suddenly open up all, or even most, of the doors that were previously closed to you.

davestar_delux · 7 Jun 2009 at 20:55

Sorry my HND is equivalent to 2 years at University as I dropped out to move for my job and the University offered me a HND certificate for the 2 years although the credits I have will slightly exceed a typical HND. So I'm hopeful I can just do a 3rd year with OU although that is what I'm keen to find out for sure at this time.

SoSolid · 7 Jun 2009 at 22:00

davestar_delux said:
Sorry my HND is equivalent to 2 years at University as I dropped out to move for my job and the University offered me a HND certificate for the 2 years although the credits I have will slightly exceed a typical HND. So I'm hopeful I can just do a 3rd year with OU although that is what I'm keen to find out for sure at this time.

At most uni's you cannot transfer straight to the third year, you have to start in the second year at best. I do not know if the same applies for OU.

Shicky · 7 Jun 2009 at 22:14

SoSolid said:
At most uni's you cannot transfer straight to the third year, you have to start in the second year at best. I do not know if the same applies for OU.

Agreed, you will not get straight to third year. Best you can get is second year, my mate did the very same this year. Although this was with my uni, not the open university

Jonny · 8 Jun 2009 at 09:14

I can't comment on the higher level stuff but I'm currently studying two level 1 courses and find one very interesting and 1 very boring (although that's probably just because I don't like maths too much).

I think it's well worth you topping up your HND to a degree if you can without too much fuss, I hope this link works for you http://www3.open.ac.uk/credit-transfer/academic/index.shtm

waso_dude · 8 Jun 2009 at 09:20

I'm looking at doing some Webdesign courses with them, at £210 a course they seem really really good value for money, and you can pick the courses you want to build up the points for your degree.

Mr Jack · 8 Jun 2009 at 10:17

I'm currently doing an Open University degree. I think they're very good. I'm not sure how much Credit you could/couldn't transfer, you'd have to contact them and find out.

Mr Jack · 8 Jun 2009 at 10:18

ghost101 said:
Also take a look at this

http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/

The degrees are arguably more reputable because they are done by UoL institutions.

There's nothing disreputable about an Open University degree. They're considerable better rated than, say, some dodgy ex-poly.

doddsy105 · 8 Jun 2009 at 10:21

My friend did 1 and he said it was really easy and he had a full time job as a developer and completed it with ease.

LOAM · 8 Jun 2009 at 13:33

My wife is about to complete an OU psychology degree and I can honestly she's been really pleased with the whole OU set up, It seems to be incredibly well organised, communication to and from them has been easy. From someone looking from the outside and experiencing it second hand they look like they are a great option for people who are working and want to further educate themselves.

mattheman · 8 Jun 2009 at 13:35

davestar_delux said:
Hey, I am currently working full-time in the middle of nowhere but wanting to gain another degree, I already have a HND in this subject so think I should be able to straight up do a 3rd year with the OU pretty quickly.

Has anyone any experiences with them? Is this possible and how hard is OU compared to attending University courses? Did you do the credit transfer process and did it go smoothly i.e. were all your credits acknowledged at the level you hoped?

Would appreciate any feedback anyone can give me on their OU experiences.

http://www.gla.ac.uk/part-timestudy/

davestar_delux · 8 Jun 2009 at 16:40

mattheman said:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/part-timestudy/

I'm not in Glasgow anymore, that's where I was studying before I moved. In rural Cornwall now.

muon · 9 Jun 2009 at 15:23

Mr Jack said:
There's nothing disreputable about an Open University degree. They're considerable better rated than, say, some dodgy ex-poly.

University of London degrees external degrees (90% done by LSE, Royal Holloway and Birckbeck) are much more reputable than Open University degrees. Where did I say ex poly degrees are more reputable? Btw I don't even think that comment you made is necessarily true.

Also like I said earlier in the thread, the limited degree options make this not a viable option anyway.