Great place to learn (Open University in general)

Member Name: fiona2105

Product:	Open University in general
Date:	28/11/08 (107 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Stay at home, avoid travelling, do it around work

Disadvantages: Can be expensive

I think the OU is fantastic. I have recently started my second course with them and yes it is hard but well worth it.

I did my first course a couple of years ago now and then I had a break for no reason really and this year I decided that I better get back into it again so this is me a couple of months into my first course.

With these courses you work at home and are sent out textbooks to read and activities to do, you are also given a calendar so you know where you should be and when. Around about once a month you have to do a TMA which is a Tutor Marked Assignment and once you have done this you either post it to your tutor or email it to them depending on which course you are doing. The first course I did I had to post it and it seemed to take ages to come back but this course I email it and the turn around is so much faster. The tutor marks your assignment and this counts towards your final result. As well as your TMA's on some courses you have to complete an exam at the end which usually takes place somewhere near you, this counts towards your final mark too.

The OU also provides you with a lot of help just ask and they will do their best. Through out your course you can also attend tutorials which you are given all the information about before hand. This is a good way to meet your tutor and other students and get some help if you need it.

I was a bit lost with where I was going so started doing Health and Social Care but have now started my second course in Social Sciences. You can pick so many different courses and use them towards an Open Degree if you want. There is so much choice and if you are interested it is definitely worth a look at the website (www.open.ac.uk).

I have found this a great place to learn and has certainly got my brain working again. I left school and never went on to further education and it wasn't until after i had my first child that i really thought I should try and do something. This way I have been able to stay at home with my children and done it all in my spare time. This also saves me on childcare as well as having to make an 80 mile round trip every day.

The courses can be expensive but sometimes it is possible to get financial help depending of course on your household income.

Summary: This place has certainly got my brain working again, definitely worth a go