[clp123]

Sorry if there's a similar question on here I'm just feeling a bit anxious and would really appreciate some advice!

Firstly, I have just finished a BTEC Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care and achieved D*D*D* (three distinction stars) which is supposed to be equivalent to three a levels. Due to personal circumstances I applied for the course that seemed "easiest" financially speaking (a foundation degree at the college I have just finished studying at) because I could work at weekends and would not have to pay to commute. Now I have found that the course does not have very good job prospects, something I would have found out if I had not been so desperate to do a uni course In September, when I can contact my teachers and use them as references I will be applying for a job as a healthcare/care assistant so that I can gain experience during my GAP year. But I am now considering working for more than the year and doing an OU degree.

One question I have is, would an OU Degree be less respected because I do not have A levels in a related subject? For example, a Primary PGCE is something I have wanted to for so long now, but it seems that a lot of courses ask for national curriculum subjects now so I would probably like to study English Literature. Would a PGCE course provider or a future employer look at my CV and think WTF? Health and Social Care and then English Literature? What is she on? Also, in your experience, how supportive were the tutors at the OU? I am a naturally anxious person so tutors who can't be reached for weeks at a time would not be a good idea :/

The health and social care pathway is also something I have been considering (imagine that lol) so could anyone tell me if you (or anyone you know) has progressed from a social sciences degree onto a postgraduate social work or nursing course?

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ANY ANSWERS

[catoswyn]

(Original post by clp123)
Sorry if there's a similar question on here I'm just feeling a bit anxious and would really appreciate some advice!

Firstly, I have just finished a BTEC Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care and achieved D*D*D* (three distinction stars) which is supposed to be equivalent to three a levels. Due to personal circumstances I applied for the course that seemed "easiest" financially speaking (a foundation degree at the college I have just finished studying at) because I could work at weekends and would not have to pay to commute. Now I have found that the course does not have very good job prospects, something I would have found out if I had not been so desperate to do a uni course In September, when I can contact my teachers and use them as references I will be applying for a job as a healthcare/care assistant so that I can gain experience during my GAP year. But I am now considering working for more than the year and doing an OU degree.

One question I have is, would an OU Degree be less respected because I do not have A levels in a related subject? For example, a Primary PGCE is something I have wanted to for so long now, but it seems that a lot of courses ask for national curriculum subjects now so I would probably like to study English Literature. Would a PGCE course provider or a future employer look at my CV and think WTF? Health and Social Care and then English Literature? What is she on? Also, in your experience, how supportive were the tutors at the OU? I am a naturally anxious person so tutors who can't be reached for weeks at a time would not be a good idea :/

The health and social care pathway is also something I have been considering (imagine that lol) so could anyone tell me if you (or anyone you know) has progressed from a social sciences degree onto a postgraduate social work or nursing course?

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ANY ANSWERS

Well done on your BTEC grades; that's fantastic! PGCE providers will be looking primarily at your degree and any proof of your interest in/experience of working with children. A BTEC with your grades will be fine. Depending on the institution or school they will just be interested in the path you have taken to get to the idea of teaching and that includes changes of direction and so forth. Lots of people do change direction of study as they go on. Open University is also perfectly acceptable.

[monique11]

Hi,
Congrats on your results. Your distinctions prove that you are a capable student which is essential if you are thinking of joining the OU.

I have studied with the OU for the last 7 years and have just graduated with a Masters degree in Literature (Merit). I joined them as a very mature student after about 15 years away from formal education and I was a little terrified like you. But let me put your fears to rest. Don't even give it a second thought and join the biggest community of scholars and tutor in the UK, you will love it so much you won't be able to stop signing up for the next module.

The whole process is so simple, they accept nearly all applicants, their motto is make education accessible to all. And they are brilliant, really really helpful, even if you're having problems with your computer. Tutors always respond within 1-2 days and are also brilliant. Ask as many questions of them as you need. The students and the discussion forums are so addictive and informative you may never need to call the helpdesk. The best thing about the OU (and there are many best things) you can have a life and a job and study at your own pace.

Don't think about it, do it, join. And as far as the value of an OU degree is concerned, you'll find that OU independent study is considered by all employers to be more difficult and therefore more valuable, it shows you are independent and super-committed, as well as focused and hard-working.

I am now looking to do my primary pgce, the only course the OU doesn't offer (Yet!). I would not think of applying anywhere else if they did. They do offer PGCE in specific subjects, more suitable for secondary education.

Hope this has helped you. Good luck whatever you decide.

PS I don't work for the OU.

[dg2009]

I am currently doing the Health & Social Care degree with possibility of going into Nursing. It is interesting but make sure you pick the right course for you. I changed from Sciences, which I sometimes regrate but know this is the correct area for me at the moment.

You can even do K101 and move on to Nursing from that.

It is definately possible to go onto postgrade training with a degree from the OU, like any other uni.

[Ross Templeman]

Just to add to what has been written here concerning the virtues of the OU, I am in the second year of an MSc in Mathematics with them and have always found the tutors to be very helpful. Also I have found that the student discussion forums are an invaluable source of information, far more useful than any careers information I got elsewhere when I was an undergraduate.

Speaking of the OU, they have an e-petition regarding the price of the undergraduate course fees that individuals might be interested in 'signing' (you must be 18+ and a British citizen to do and the whole process takes less than a minute). I have provided the link below:

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/22316

Best Wishes

[clp123]

(Original post by catoswyn)
Well done on your BTEC grades; that's fantastic! PGCE providers will be looking primarily at your degree and any proof of your interest in/experience of working with children. A BTEC with your grades will be fine. Depending on the institution or school they will just be interested in the path you have taken to get to the idea of teaching and that includes changes of direction and so forth. Lots of people do change direction of study as they go on. Open University is also perfectly acceptable.

Thank you And good, a BTEC in HSC is meant to be a route into Primary Teaching but people usually go for a Bachelor of Education/ Primary Teaching degree rather than a national curriculum subject degree so I was a bit unsure... I think I will try to strengthen my application by looking at teaching assistant positions. Thanks again

[clp123]

(Original post by monique11)
Hi,
Congrats on your results. Your distinctions prove that you are a capable student which is essential if you are thinking of joining the OU.

I have studied with the OU for the last 7 years and have just graduated with a Masters degree in Literature (Merit). I joined them as a very mature student after about 15 years away from formal education and I was a little terrified like you. But let me put your fears to rest. Don't even give it a second thought and join the biggest community of scholars and tutor in the UK, you will love it so much you won't be able to stop signing up for the next module.

The whole process is so simple, they accept nearly all applicants, their motto is make education accessible to all. And they are brilliant, really really helpful, even if you're having problems with your computer. Tutors always respond within 1-2 days and are also brilliant. Ask as many questions of them as you need. The students and the discussion forums are so addictive and informative you may never need to call the helpdesk. The best thing about the OU (and there are many best things) you can have a life and a job and study at your own pace.

Don't think about it, do it, join. And as far as the value of an OU degree is concerned, you'll find that OU independent study is considered by all employers to be more difficult and therefore more valuable, it shows you are independent and super-committed, as well as focused and hard-working.

I am now looking to do my primary pgce, the only course the OU doesn't offer (Yet!). I would not think of applying anywhere else if they did. They do offer PGCE in specific subjects, more suitable for secondary education.

Hope this has helped you. Good luck whatever you decide.

PS I don't work for the OU.

Congratulations on your results too! The way you can tailor OU Study to suit your own lifestyle is very appealing. And I really do love the idea of being able to start in October instead of taking a gap year and applying to another uni. I had heard that employers respect the OU but my teachers at college um'd and ah'd when I asked them if they knew much about the OU which is probably why I'm a bit uncertain. Good Luck for your PGCE application My tutor said you have to be VERY motivated to complete it and your NQT year, so your time with the OU should stand you in good stead.

P.S. Haha, don't worry I believe you

[clp123]

(Original post by dg2009)
I am currently doing the Health & Social Care degree with possibility of going into Nursing. It is interesting but make sure you pick the right course for you. I changed from Sciences, which I sometimes regrate but know this is the correct area for me at the moment.

You can even do K101 and move on to Nursing from that.

It is definately possible to go onto postgrade training with a degree from the OU, like any other uni.

I see that you have an NVQ 2 in Health and Soicial Care, are you working in a care setting? And would you go onto the undergraduate degree or the postgraduate degree, if you do choose to do nursing? My teacher told me that if you have covered enough relevant content in your first degree you can complete an undergraduate degree in nursing in less than three years Although, I would have thought you would still need the same ammount of placement hours but in a shorter amount of time instead of three years

Sorry for all the questions lol. And good because I definitely think I would like to go onto postgraduate study. Thanks for the reply

[clp123]

(Original post by Ross Templeman)
Just to add to what has been written here concerning the virtues of the OU, I am in the second year of an MSc in Mathematics with them and have always found the tutors to be very helpful. Also I have found that the student discussion forums are an invaluable source of information, far more useful than any careers information I got elsewhere when I was an undergraduate.

Speaking of the OU, they have an e-petition regarding the price of the undergraduate course fees that individuals might be interested in 'signing' (you must be 18+ and a British citizen to do and the whole process takes less than a minute). I have provided the link below:

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/22316

Best Wishes

The OU seems like it is a good community to belong to. And careers information is always helpful, I never really got much help from the advisors in college :/ I will definitely sign the petition Thanks for your reply

[bownessie]

For primary education you just either need a degree in a core curriculum subject and a pace or a qts degree course and the right gcse marks. They probably wouldn't ask for your Brec because it isn't a requirement. Even if they did a Btec in health and social care blends well with teaching.

If you want to go into secondary it is quite a different story

[dg2009]

(Original post by clp123)
I see that you have an NVQ 2 in Health and Soicial Care, are you working in a care setting? And would you go onto the undergraduate degree or the postgraduate degree, if you do choose to do nursing? My teacher told me that if you have covered enough relevant content in your first degree you can complete an undergraduate degree in nursing in less than three years Although, I would have thought you would still need the same ammount of placement hours but in a shorter amount of time instead of three years

Sorry for all the questions lol. And good because I definitely think I would like to go onto postgraduate study. Thanks for the reply

I'd be doing the PgDip when/if i go into nursing. Yes I work in a hospital at present and have work in in loads of other care settings too.

[Letta]

Are you currently working? The Open University can be a great experience, but it can also be quite isolating. I'm a bit of an introvert and not the kind of person who enjoys going to big parties but since my last job ended I have found my degree to be a terrible strain. The courses are still interesting, but I feel very out of place.

If you have emotional support from friends and family, or are already working go for it, but if not my advice would be to go to a traditional institution - I deeply wish that I had, not because of the quality of the tutors, who have been excellent, but because I haven't met the people that I would have otherwise. I'm currently doing a course in Interaction Design, and have a number of ideas for interactive products that I would like to explore - but because the other students are already in employment/have children, I have not been able to meet with any likeminded people to actually develop these ideas into prototypes. At any other university in the world, I would be surrounded by people who had both the time and interest and would be making connections for the future.

In short, if you are just interested in the qualification, it is worth it. But that is all you will get from your time there.

[sputum]

(Original post by Letta)
In short, if you are just interested in the qualification, it is worth it. But that is all you will get from your time there.

Everything else aside this is simply untrue (from someone who took three years to realise he was studying the wrong subject and would now not only study as much without the carrot at the end but is able to do so because of previous study)

when it does work the effects can be transforming. but it's not for everyone.

[Letta]

It can be great.. but I am just saying that there are a lot of experiences that you miss because of the way in which you are studying, and those experiences, especially during your youth, can be just as important as the actual degree. I for instance, would love to be part of something - my friends all went to traditional unis, played on university football teams, joined music groups, and met their husbands/wives. In two years time I will have a degree, but I will have missed life experiences that I will not get another chance at.

Traditional universities offer so many more opportunities that are important earlier in life than the OU does. The OU is very good if you have other things in your life that you need to spend time doing, and it can lead to different careers or former academic study. But there is a section that asks you why you are studying, and for me 'personal development and academic/career development' are equally important. I have spent an awful lot of time on my own, and while I don't regret my choice of subjects, I certainly regret my method of study, which was mostly financially motivated.