OU: Natural Sciences - Chemistry pathway

Is/has anybody studied the Natural Sciences Chemistry pathway via OU? I am just enrolled onto this course, starting at level 2 thanks to credit transfer.

Firstly, a bit of background info. I'm 26 years old. Studied biomedical science for 2 years at uni but dropped out. Since then I have worked as a lab assistant at a small manufacturing firm. Whilst I enjoy my job, my salary is nowhere near where I would like it to be and there really isn't much chance of career progression, so I decided to look into going back into study. However, I cannot afford to leave my job and go to a brick uni for 3 years, so am going through the OU route.

Upon graduation I am interested in pursuing a career in chemistry or chemical engineering, much preferably the latter. My main concern is that a chemistry degree with barely any lab study time wouldn't really be of much value to someone looking to employ a chemist. Anyone had any experience that suggests otherwise?

Secondly, if all goes to plan and I do complete this degree, I would happily to leave my job to study a one year chemical engineering 'conversion' course (Leeds University currently offer one, but I have no idea if they still will by the time I come round to applying!) I'm just massively worried that I would stand no chance of getting on such a course with almost no experience of university level practical chemistry/chemical engineering.

So, does anybody here have any positive stories from having studied Nat Sci Chemistry pathway via the OU? Or is there anybody else here currently studying this course?

Either way, I'm determined to get this done and have set myself a very strict deadline. I would like to graduate from OU in summer 2016, convert to chemical engineering and be ready to apply for 'proper' jobs by my 30th birthday in 2017!

Is/has anybody studied the Natural Sciences Chemistry pathway via OU? I am just enrolled onto this course, starting at level 2 thanks to credit transfer.

Firstly, a bit of background info. I'm 26 years old. Studied biomedical science for 2 years at uni but dropped out. Since then I have worked as a lab assistant at a small manufacturing firm. Whilst I enjoy my job, my salary is nowhere near where I would like it to be and there really isn't much chance of career progression, so I decided to look into going back into study. However, I cannot afford to leave my job and go to a brick uni for 3 years, so am going through the OU route.

Upon graduation I am interested in pursuing a career in chemistry or chemical engineering, much preferably the latter. My main concern is that a chemistry degree with barely any lab study time wouldn't really be of much value to someone looking to employ a chemist. Anyone had any experience that suggests otherwise?

Secondly, if all goes to plan and I do complete this degree, I would happily to leave my job to study a one year chemical engineering 'conversion' course (Leeds University currently offer one, but I have no idea if they still will by the time I come round to applying!) I'm just massively worried that I would stand no chance of getting on such a course with almost no experience of university level practical chemistry/chemical engineering.

So, does anybody here have any positive stories from having studied Nat Sci Chemistry pathway via the OU? Or is there anybody else here currently studying this course?

Either way, I'm determined to get this done and have set myself a very strict deadline. I would like to graduate from OU in summer 2016, convert to chemical engineering and be ready to apply for 'proper' jobs by my 30th birthday in 2017!