Open University

#1 piece of advice I can give is choose units you are interested in not purely based on what you think you are good at, or think will hold the most 'value' in terms of career progression.

Self-study requires a lot of motivation especially if your previous study was the old 'stick' approach from school where if you didn't do the work you got a *******ing - i.e. if you have never had to rely on yourself to drive study as opposed to a rigid timetable with punishments for failure to adhere to it, it can be a bit of a culture shock. This is why I think a genuine interest in the subject is imperative.

Of course, that's not to say some people won't have been highly successful with a 'means to an end' approach of picking courses they think will help them in the job market - but following my experience at a traditional uni, it isn't how I approached OU study.
 
I've just finished my second level 2 and I feel there is definitely a step-up.
You have to spend more time on things and put aside study time unlike with level 1 where I could fit a little reading around other things.
I guess it was slightly more difficult for me as at level 1 there were no exams and both my level 2's ended with 3hr exams - so you couldn't learn, write paper and forget, you had to keep it all in mind until after the exam.

My first level 3 begins in October. Thankfully no exam for this one - but I'm expecting a step-up.
 
Both my level 1s require an exam, so hoping level 2 is more of the same with just perhaps a bit more time needed.

In the midst of considering a degree change though!

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
I just got the results through for my 2nd Level 2 OU module.
62% on my exam and an OCAS of 74% means a Grade 2 pass.

So just 2 Level 3's (first starting in October) and then that is degree over. Just want to keep up the Grade 2's now!
 
Guys, Im after a favour from anyone thats on an OU course but not under the transational fee structure (basically you started doing a course on/after Sept 2012).

Would anyone mind going onto their OU StudentHome and doing a search for the following modules for me please:

TXR120
TXR220

and tell me what their prices are? Might be after a decent screenshot if thats possible too of each course?

TIA

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
I've just signed up to Access to Success science. Will do a higher certificate then hopefully move on to the full degree. Looking forward to it.

Want to specialise in earth sciences.

I am doing it because I am currently on disability benefit due to heart failure. I will be having a heart transplant at some point in the future. With a heart transplant, your benefits are stopped very soon after you leave hospital as although a massive op, a successful transplant takes you from an invalid to a fit person within a few weeks.

I will then be looking for work, so I thought now would be a good time to do something like this so I have got it when I look for work again.
 
ps3ud0 said:
Guys, Im after a favour from anyone thats on an OU course but not under the transational fee structure (basically you started doing a course on/after Sept 2012).

Would anyone mind going onto their OU StudentHome and doing a search for the following modules for me please:

TXR120
TXR220

and tell me what their prices are? Might be after a decent screenshot if thats possible too of each course?

TIA

ps3ud0 :cool:
Click to expand...

Bit difficult to find info about these, but what I can find, puts the courses at about 600 quid each. Details are sketchy though. I'm not 100% sure that they are still running.
 
Cheers, they are running just that registration hasnt opened yet - they are £670 under transitional fees but I wanted to see what the price is under the new fees as last year it was a lot cheaper!

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
mug2k said:
Are day schools and tutorials compulsory ?
Click to expand...

I've not actually been to any of mine. Usually there is someone on your course who will take notes and of course the tutor will also post notes up.
I guess I've felt confident enough not to actually need to go to one - but now I'm on to the level 3 modules I may well go along.
 
Ive found them rarely useful too, though go to the day schools/ones near the exam time as you normally get past papers and the like...

My next set are all in Cambridge which is a bit annoying to go to...

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
Is there any way to get Windows 7 cheap once your a uni student ?, I might get a new laptop but all the ones I've seen come with windows 8 which is a pain in the ass to use.
 
Hi, just thought I'd bump this to see how everyone is doing after spending a couple of months on their chosen module(s).

I started a Natural Sciences (physics pathway) degree in October and I'm thoroughly enjoying it, so far I've designed a rain guage and measured rainfall, timed how long it took to boil some water in order to work out its specific heat capacity and created a light box in order to measure angles of diffraction of an energy saving lightbulb (and the energy levels of the equivalent photons).

I am a little concerned however that I haven't needed to spend nearly as much time as suggested per week as I'm currently on a 60 credit module S104 Exploring Science but am finding that I only need to spend 8-9 hours a week in order to digest everything, carry out experiments, TMAs etc.

I've read the thread and it seems that level 3 is a big jump, how many hours should I expect to allocate to my studies per week by then? I'm quite a fast reader and have the advantage of studying Maths and Physics at A-Level, but this was about ten years ago. For reference, I've gotten 82% and 86% respectively in my first two TMAs.
 
If I was to employ someone...

One person had a degree from an actual uni, the second via OU.


I would hire the first as the latter would be of a poor quality.

This is entirely my own views on the subject. Studying from home does not compare with attending a Uni.
The levels of education provided differ vastly.
 
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Sheff said:
Hi, just thought I'd bump this to see how everyone is doing after spending a couple of months on their chosen module(s).

I started a Natural Sciences (physics pathway) degree in October and I'm thoroughly enjoying it, so far I've designed a rain guage and measured rainfall, timed how long it took to boil some water in order to work out its specific heat capacity and created a light box in order to measure angles of diffraction of an energy saving lightbulb (and the energy levels of the equivalent photons).

I am a little concerned however that I haven't needed to spend nearly as much time as suggested per week as I'm currently on a 60 credit module S104 Exploring Science but am finding that I only need to spend 8-9 hours a week in order to digest everything, carry out experiments, TMAs etc.

I've read the thread and it seems that level 3 is a big jump, how many hours should I expect to allocate to my studies per week by then? I'm quite a fast reader and have the advantage of studying Maths and Physics at A-Level, but this was about ten years ago. For reference, I've gotten 82% and 86% respectively in my first two TMAs.
Click to expand...

Did that in school mate.... OU is crap as I thought lol
 
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