Hi,
I'm currently an OU student (Mathematics and Statistics) due to finish this summer, I'm looking at (mainly) MSc courses in Statistics.
I should graduate with a 2:1 I'm currently studying one level 2 module and two level 3 modules. As long as I get at least a 'grade 2' in one of the level three modules and grade 3 for the other modules I'll get a 2:1.. I think I should be able to get at least a grade 2, possibly distinction in each of the modules, giving me a 'good' 2:1. Studying with a stressful job hasn't been easy, have had a few incidents with illness - surgery just before exams at one point threw a spanner in the works and I ended up with a grade 4 for a 60 credit level 2 module I'd been averaging a distinction for in the coursework(TMAs) - still despite a few hiccups with some modules I've got a distinction for one stats module and a grade 2 pass for another one and should get a 2:1 overall... looking at MSc courses it seems pretty much most just require a 2:1? Though presumably there is more to it than this, when the likes of Warwick, UCL etc.. require a 2:1 are they looking more for people who are very very close to getting a 1st? Nottingham on the other hand seems to accept a 2:2 and seems to have a good Stats department.
Anyway apologies for the waffle - if anyone can comment/answer any of the below questions I'd much appreciate it. I will contact some tutors in the next few days too to seek advice.
How do traditional red brick universities view OU students?
The OU has a slightly different grading system for modules - I've had a not so good results in a couple and good results in a couple of others - overall I should achieve a 2:1 but I am slightly concerned about the not so good module results - are universities OK with having some poor grades for some modules or do they prefer a more consistent set of grades?
Is it still worth applying for the more competitive courses - the course at Warwick does look good as does the Computational Statistics and Machine Learning course at UCL (I'm currently completing a Machine Learning related online course too in addition to the OU study and have just started to look at some of the beginner problems on kaggle.org).
If I were to apply to a couple of the (likely) competitive/oversubscribed courses I'd likely also want to apply to a couple with less competition/lower entry requirements - how many MSc courses is it normal to apply for - I mean technically I could apply for any number but realistically I've got to ask tutors if they'd be happy to provide a reference for each and I doubt they'd be too happy to be bombarded with requests... would 5 or 6 be pushing it a bit too much?
The other issue is that as an OU student the courses are self contained, the learning materials are very good, I don't have lectures and the tutorials are optional sessions which I'm mostly not able to make it to thanks to having rather long hours in my day job(financial software). I've got a current course where I've been able to attend a couple of tutorials and a residential course I attended - so hopefully the tutors from those will be able to provide a reference but otherwise I'd be potentially asking people who I've only ever corresponded with via e-mail and assignments sent to them in the post! If a lot of weight is placed on references am I at a bit of a disadvantage here as a mostly distance learning student?
Anyway, apologies again for the waffle and if you are able to comment on any of the above it would be much appreciated.