A question
Anyone who has studied with the OU, how much time does it really take? I’m looking at doing a maths degree, maybe with computing, starting with courses that will give me a certificate/ diploma to bolster my qualifications in that area for our next venture. But I’ve never actually studied with the OU, and I’m a bit intimidated by the idea that it’s 360 points, and that most courses are 60 for a year, so that will take me 6 years, a bit longer than I had in mind. Can it be done quicker alongside a full time job?
Ta.
May 2nd, 2008 at 18:22
Talk to them first about what credit you can get for previous study - you might find you don’t need to do the full 360 points. I didn’t find the maths courses took quite as much time as they said, but I’ve always been someone who picked things up fast (did a *lot* less work in school than most). Alongside a full-time job and two kids - I wouldn’t bet on handling more than 60 points a year. Do-able if you didn’t have the other commitments, but you’ve probably noticed that’s not the case for you…
May 2nd, 2008 at 18:31
I did Open Maths - took about half the study time stated, if that.
May 2nd, 2008 at 18:54
Deb, I can’t get any credit for the year I did of maths as Nottingham don’t have any record of any courses or marks. I’m waiting on a transcript from Durham that might knock off a computer course or two - doubt the philosophy will count for anything! Yes, I had noticed another commitment or two
Gill, thanks.
May 2nd, 2008 at 23:07
I did 90 points in one year when i only had Fran and Maddy. I’d say it took the time to do the work that they said (per week i mean) but that 90 points was managable with 2 very small kids and a being part time self employed.
Now, with a full (ha!) time job and 4 kids, i wouldn’t attempt more than 30 in a year and even then i wouldn’t expect to give it my all.
Dunno if that gives any sense of scale at all?
May 3rd, 2008 at 7:13
if your regional cetnre is local enough for you to get to, ask to see soem of the courses so you can get a feel of what work is involved. Your philosophy stuff should count towards some points, even in a named degree there’s a certain amount of “give” for some of the points.
May 3rd, 2008 at 10:06
centre is in leeds, which is local enough but has the attendant “drive into leeds” panic. Will ponder. Think I might give them a ring when I get my transcript and see what I can get - I’d like to get signed up to get started in september, ought to have finished montessori diploma by then.