The Open University (Open University in general)

Member Name: Snook

Product:	Open University in general
Date:	05/11/08 (163 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Everything about the UO is great.

Disadvantages: None

The Open University
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The Open University is designed to let you complete a number of different university courses at home, in your own time. Allowing you to study at a high level and not have if effect your daily routine, whether it be working full or part time, or taking care of children.

You can find out more about the courses avaliable and more information on their website. You can also order a prospectus online which is sent to you free of charge. There is also a helpline where someone will be able to answer any questions you have.

Financial support is avaliable. - There is a calculator on the website which can be used as a guide to see if any help will be avaliable to you. Generally if your household income is less than 30,000 (more if you have dependants.) You can qualify for help towards the costs of a course. In addition, students with a disability, medical condition or specific learning difficulty may be able to get help with extra study costs, regardless of their income.
Acceptance onto a course also gives you access to the 'learning fund' This can provide help to you for additional costs such as additional study costs, childcare, travel, buying a PC or internet access. The OU will contact you before your course starts if you qualify for this.
Courses require anything from 5 to 25 hours of study per week, depending on the course you choose. .

Courses Avaliable
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Arts & Humanities
Business and Management
Childhood and Youth
Computing and ICT
Education
Engineering and Technology
Enviroment, Development and International Studies
Health and Social Care
Languages
Law
Mathmatics and Statistics
Psychology
Science
Social Sciences

As well as a large range of short courses and Postgraduate subjects. (See the website for the whole list)

How do I apply?
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Registering for a course is easy. You can do it online, or over the phone. The OU will send you conformation of the course. (If you apply for financial aid they will send you out an application pack which requires you to send off some I.D) It is all very straightforward.

What happens when my course starts?
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The OU will send you out all the required course materials. This can be text books, CD's, DVD's, worksheets, computer software etc. Your course tutor will also contact you by phone or by post and let you know how to contact them whenever you need too. You will also recieve a study guide which will help you organize yourself and keep up with the course. As well as a username and password to log in to the student section of the OU website. Here you can communicate with your tutor and fellow students for help and advice on anything relating to your course.

Depending on your course there will generally be 1-8 written assesments you will be required to do. These can be 'handed in' online or posted to your tutor. Some courses also require you to attend a week of residential school (for others this is not avaliable - or optional) Some courses may also finish with an examination. For this you will be required to attend your nearest assesment centre. - Unless there are medical reasons preventing you to do so, you can arrange a home exam.

My Experience.
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I am about to start a Health and Social care course. I was worried at first as I have never done anything like this before (since leaving school) but was assured that all courses start with the basics and ease you in slowly and that there will be pleanty of help and support avaliable to me. I registered for the course online and recieved my forms within a few days. Being on a low income I qualified for support and had all my fees paid for me. I also qualify for an additional grant for help to buy a new computer. The course material is very easy to understand and informative, my tutor is friendly and I cannot wait to get started.

If you have been thinking about going back to school/college/university but are not able to stop working, or just cannot commit yourself to full time education, please do not give up! The Open University is a really great way to study.

http://www.open.ac.uk/

Summary: A great way to learn at home in your own time.