How it is like to study with The Open University?

Hi guys!!!

I really hope that you all are enjoying your time with OU? I have to say after only three months I love it! 

 I am actually feeling like I am part of something, and I did not have that feeling with my previous uni!

So as you all know I am volunteering with OUSV. My 'job' description is basically go and talk to people about my experience with OU and give them information about courses and possibilities.  And I just love the 'goodies' that they've provided me with :

 This is exactly what 'my' community needs. Being aware of opportunities. Nine times out of ten, when I am approaching new person they are telling me that they will not be able to get funding's, because this is what they have heard! The other concern is : I do not have time to go to meetings. 

So I just wanted to drop a quick post about common questions and give you guys some links, who know maybe one of your family members would like to study, but they don't know where to start? You can just send them link to this blog and from here they can take it further? 

So how do you study with OU? 

 My answers are based ONLY on my experience. 

The Open University   gives you the opportunity to study flexibly, in your own time.  I am doing all of my work in my own time, my own speed. It is as simple as reading materials, which are sent to your own house and completing TMA's. 

It doesn't mean that you will not have any help! They are on-line tutorials,  which looks basically like chat rooms,  there are OU forums and face to face tutorials with your tutor. You can choose which one of them is best for you, or if they are going to be beneficial for you. Apart from that you can always drop an e-mail to your tutor or call him/her. 

What about paying for your course? 

Well, there is few ways to do it. You might be able for a financial support.  If your household income is less than £28.180 

You can pay as you go. The payments are taken by direct debit. 

You might be eligible for Employer sponsorship. 

Or you can pay upfront. 

If you would like to find out more call : 08453006090 

or you can go to www.openuniversity.co.uk/ways2paywales

How long does the study takes? 

It depends on what kind of course you choose and which pathway. You can change your pathways with time.

 If you would like to study 60 credits per year ( part time), which would be studying only one module, for degree with hons it would take you 6 years, degree without hons 5 years, Diploma of higher education 4 years and certificate of higher education only 2 years. 

If you would like to go full time 

Degree with hons - 3 years

Degree without hons - 2,5 years

Diploma of Higher education - 2 years

Certificate of higher education - 1 year. 

Plus after your undergraduate study you can take it further and do postgraduate studies with OU! ( for more information go to www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate) 

The most important part of my degree is the help and understanding of mine conditions. I have such an amazing support from OU. I don't feel uncomfortable to talk with them about my conditions, when I feel like I need any extra help I know, they will try their best to provide it for me. It was such a relief that I could achieve something, do my degree in a comfort of my own house, get involved with The Open University in many ways and feel happy about the whole experience !

So if you are not sure if OU is for you, why don't you try to explore it without enrolling yourself? Open university is providing FREE online learning. Which is called Open Learn.  

Open Leanr can help you prepare yourself for a course, you can discover there very interesting articles and you can join debates.  

To try it, go to www.open.edu/openlearn

You can also go to www.open.ac.uk/itunes where you can download free educational content. 

And last but not least www.open.ac.uk/youtube where you can access OU channel.  

I will post all those link on the top of my blog, so don't worry they will be available so no one will have to scan through the whole blog to find them. 

If you have any questions about stuff I haven't raised in this post you can go straight to Student Support Team.  I will post all the numbers underneath, or if you don't feel confident enough to talk to them, you can e-mail me on cosma69@gmail.com and I will try either find answers for you or pass it further :) 

In England, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Island, The Isle of Man and BFPO addresses outside UK 

www.openuniversity.co.uk/ug

Call Student Registration & Enquiry Service +44 (0) 845 300 60 90

e-mail them through www.openuniversity.co.uk/contact

In Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland 

www.onepnuniversity.co.uk/ug

In North Ireland  028 9032 3722

In the Republic of Ireland ( Dublin) (01)6785399 ( Belfast) +44 28 9032 3722

All other countries

www.openuniversity.edu

+44 (0)845 241 6555

For Welsh Speakers ( I siaradwyr Cymraeg)

The Open University in Wales

18 Custom House Street

Cardiff CF10 1AP 

029 2047 1170

e-mail (ebost): wales@open.ac.uk