Open to everyone...even you! (Open University in general)

Member Name: wob1001

Product:	Open University in general
Date:	01/08/08 (219 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap and easy

Disadvantages: You dont get "the uni experiance"

I originally started out my universiy life at Manchester but after a year i knew it really wasnt for me. I passed the year but didnt want to go back. I didnt however want my hard years work to go to waste. I was told about the open niversity by a friend and it sounded quite interesting.
At the open university you have the choice over many different couses in a range of subject. You can do it for fun if you like or to gain knowledge in a certain area but the main reason is to gain degree's or certificates of higher learning. Each course is worth an amount of points (typically 60). You need to get 120 points at each level of study which gives you a total of 360 points. When you have done this you recieve a degree with honours! Each level (levels 1 - 3) represents a year at university. For example level 3 would be your third year at uni and the couse material and difficulty will be harder than level 1. It may then mean you do two courses at level 1 each couse worth 60 points.This would give you your 120 points for level one. You could alterntalively do couses worth 30 points which take less time.
The great thing is you can use points allready gained from other universities to put towards awhat is known as an open degree. This is most common degree at the open uni as it lets you pick couses from which ever subjects you like. Meaning you dont have to simply do a degree in geography or history. You could do a mix if you felt like it.
In my case i had completed my first year at uni. This means I had 120 points at level one, so i dont have to do any couses with the open uni at level one. I decided for my first year to do just one 60 point couse at level 2. I have found it much easier than normal uni. The work is enjoyable and easy to work around every day life. The uni send you all the materials and books you need along with couse guides to help you plan your work. As an example I will use my couse. I recieved a DVD, a couse book (8 chapters - around 200 pages) a couse guide ( with timetable of which chapters to read in which weeks etc) and also some audio material. You also get a timetable showing your assignment deadlines and also a booklet with your assignment questions in. There are 6 assignments and one exam. The first project was based on the dvd. Over 4 weeks I had to watch the DVd and make notes on it. Then I had to answer a question based on subjects raised in the DVD using references to the DVD. Later assignemnts have been similar but I had to read around 4 chapters per question rather than the DVD. There would also be audio tracks to work from to gain quotes and information forthe questions. At the end of the year you nrmally will have an exam.Mine is 3 hours and involves me aswering 3 essay question. Not all courses have exams however.
My first course involved "living in a globalised world" it wasnt too difficult and I have been averaging around 75% on assignments quite easily.
Next I plan to chage subjects completely, im rather bored of geography and plan to go for something concerning history or astronomy.
The cost isnt bad either. After one year f uni I was around £3000 in debt (lovely).However after one couse at the open uni I am around £250 better off (you heard me). If you earn under a certain amount (15000 a year i think) you are awrded a grant towards your couse fees and given some money to buy materials (which arnt really needed - i would guess its for a laptop) However dont worry if you dont fall into this group as you are only looking at between £500 - £700 for a 60 point couse. Meaning its alot cheaper than real uni.
Also dont be put off thinking your degree doesnt mean anything. It means exactly the same as a degree from a university. The only difference is its may be a degree in a range of subjects! Employers take it just as seriously as any other degree!
I cannot reccomend the open unienough. I find it very easy to use and contact with tutors (yes you get a tutor) is only a phone call or e-mail away. If your still unsure go check the website. It has loads of info and full lists of all the courses available!

Summary: Get involved!