Please Help Me Make The Right Choice!

hellodolly · 26-01-2009 12:06am #1

Hi anybody who can advise me.

I'm thinking about doing a B.A. English with the Open University with a view to maybe moving on to another course to specialise in.... Multimedia/Techincal Drawing or something...anything after that.

My question is are the Open University qualifications worth their salt? if any? Bascically, are they generally recognised in Ireland?

I'm very green behind the ears about accreditation stuff. Distance Learning is more-or-less my only option due to location, working full-time blah, blah (whinge) blah.

Thanks for any advice

BuffyBot · 26-01-2009 1:37pm

Yes - the same recognition/validity as a degree from any other UK university

26-01-2009 1:46pm

Moved from Mature & Non-Traditional Students.

hellodolly · 26-01-2009 7:32pm

Thank you for the advice!:)

mimmi · 27-01-2009 11:00am

The OU has also been HETAC'd in the last year, so that gives you even extra certainty re Ireland.

The Saint · 31-01-2009 1:16am

I'm doing an MA in UL on the basis of my OU degree so yes they are recognised. Some lecturers say that they view them better than degrees from normal universities given the solitary nature of the work and the consistency of work to be provided. Take from that what you will.

hellodolly · 01-02-2009 11:24pm

Thanks so much for the info Saint.

Could i ask you, I already know that OU is an expensive route and i think i might be able to manage that. My question is (probably stupid :rolleyes:) but anyway, I worry more about the amount of time i'd need to devote to study each week. I don't have a massive amount of free time and i'd guess that doing a BA in the evenings requires a lot a attention!

I'm disheartening myself reading what i just wrote

mimmi · 02-02-2009 5:13pm

I don't know if the OU is as expensive as you think, have you costed part-time fees at 'conventional' universities ?- when you add the time for travel 2/3 times a week and expense of books etc you may be surprised.Like all things shop around, compare and contrast what you are getting.

Re time, you need say 14 hours a week for a 60 credit course, some weeks you may do under this just because other 'stuff' gets in the way - that's life. But the great thing is that you can study/read a course book etc when it suits you - on the bus, in your lunch break and then maybe pack more study in at the weekend and the odd weekday evening. Even if you were doing a conventional part-time degree you'd be doing a couple of nights attendance, 3hrs per night - lectures/seminars and then still need the time for writing assignments and finding materials.

Part-time degree study is not an easy option, so choose a method of delivery that will work for you.

Please Help Me Make The Right Choice!

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