| Product: |
Social Sciences At The Open University |
| Date: |
20.07.08 (73 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Great support from tutors
Disadvantages: None
I decided last year that it was about time I earned myself a degree. As there is no need for one in my job (graduate level training is done in-house), I settled on doing one as a personal goal, in a subject that interested me. After looking through the prospectus at the easy to use Open University website, I opted to do International Studies. This would keep me interested as I love to travel and learn about International issues.
The beauty of Open University courses is that you don't have to have a particular degree in mind when you start. I did the DD100 "Introduction to the Social Sciences" course that is also the gateway to 6 or 7 other courses.
I signed up via the website and printed out the forms for financial assistance. Financial assistance works on a sliding scale with the OU so you may be entitled to something if you earn up to £26,000 pa.
Once the course is financed, either with assistance or from your own pocket, you will be registered on the course. Materials are sent throughout the year by courier, I received 3 lots of books, DVDs and CDs. You also have a personal tutor whom you can email or speak to on the phone. Tutorials are run once a month from a local centre where you can meet your tutor and others on the course, as well as access to an internet forum specific to your course.
Assignments can be submitted online or by post except for the last assignment which is postal only. There ae examinations in level 2 and 3 modules for the end of course.
The content of the courses is well set out and the study guides pretty much tell you what the assignment is looking for, especially in the level 1 modules. My tutor was also happy to clarify points which were a little vague.
Whilst the books were a bit long-winded, the audio CDs were a great help. These usually consisted of a discussion between 3 or 4 experts from the university on the module subject. I loaded these onto my iPod, made notes then looked in the book to expand on the ideas. This probably cut my reading time down by around 60%!!
I'm waiting for my final mark now, but it should be somewhere in the mid 70s per cent. I've also signed up for my next 2 courses next year which was quick and easy to do.
Distance learning may not work for everyone as balancing a degree and full time work takes organisation. Some people also feel lonely studying this way. I on the other hand enjoy studying in my own time without other distractions and because I am doing it as a personal aim, I find it easy to stay motivated.
The Open University also has a variety of short courses to try in many subjects so you can have a taster of their course style.
I'd recommend anyone who wants to further their education in their own time to check out their site at www.open.ac.uk and see what's on offer. As mentioned above, the financial assistance may even allow you to study for free!
The interesting subjects and the level of support made it obvious that the OU want you to succeed and that makes the course all the more pleasurable, so if you have been worried in the past about going back into education - don't be!
Summary: A great way to get back to education
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