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Article: How a MOOC could help you get your perfect uni place

If you’re looking for some experience that will help your personal statement stand out from the crowd, then you should consider taking a MOOC.

MOOC stands for ‘massive open online course’. They’re online courses that use videos, articles and sound recordings to help you learn something new they’re free and anyone can join. Taking a MOOC will let universities know that you’re passionate and knowledgeable about your subject.

Read the full article here.
(edited 8 years ago)

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I want to apply for economics at university, should i do an economics related mooc and mention it on my ps?
Reply 2
What the hell is a MOOC? Sounds like something out of Mass Effect that you use to increase your inventory space.
Original post by A5ko
What the hell is a MOOC? Sounds like something out of Mass Effect that you use to increase your inventory space.


:lol:

They're amazing, I'm completely addicted to them. It's an online course - you get lectures & do assignments like at uni. They usually last around 6 weeks or so.

I've done one on genetics and one on Kierkegaard and started one on bacteria at the moment :afraid: Super interesting!
Original post by Puddles the Monkey
:lol:

They're amazing, I'm completely addicted to them. It's an online course - you get lectures & do assignments like at uni. They usually last around 6 weeks or so.

I've done one on genetics and one on Kierkegaard and started one on bacteria at the moment :afraid: Super interesting!

Kierkegaard!? I don't even wanna google that! :tongue:
Original post by mobbsy91
Kierkegaard!? I don't even wanna google that! :tongue:


He is a philosopher, the "Father of Existentialism" :beard:
Original post by Puddles the Monkey
He is a philosopher, the "Father of Existentialism" :beard:


Wow... Way to make me feel uncultured :tongue: I'll head back to the IB results thread where I at least feel a little comfortable in :rofl:

Spoiler

I've done a few of these and have fallen behind in some of the ones I've signed up for at the moment. Just too many wildly eratic hours at work. :sad:
Original post by SirMasterKey
I've done a few of these and have fallen behind in some of the ones I've signed up for at the moment. Just too many wildly eratic hours at work. :sad:


Original post by Puddles the Monkey
He is a philosopher, the "Father of Existentialism" :beard:


Could you recommend some decent sites to do a MOOC, or are they kind of all over the place?

EDIT: Forgot there are links in the articles :facepalm:
this website has a list of all the ones starting in the next 30 days:smile: i m doing a psychology one for fun
https://www.mooc-list.com/node?page=3&static=true
(i dont think this is in the article?)
(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by SheLikeTheMango
I want to apply for economics at university, should i do an economics related mooc and mention it on my ps?


I would do one if you have the time (check how many hours are expected per week before starting) - it shows your interest and passion for the subject. Obviously don't focus on it more than school exams, though, because at the end of the day you still have to meet entry requirements!
Original post by SheLikeTheMango
I want to apply for economics at university, should i do an economics related mooc and mention it on my ps?


NO. Not if you want to get into a decent Uni. It'll sound very naff. By all means do it, and mention any interesting stuff in your PS but for pity's sake dont admit you did an open access online course. It really wont help your application one little bit.
Original post by sydneybridge
NO. Not if you want to get into a decent Uni. It'll sound very naff. By all means do it, and mention any interesting stuff in your PS but for pity's sake dont admit you did an open access online course. It really wont help your application one little bit.


What total nonsense. Showing interest in your chosen subject and reading around it - which is basically what a MOOC requires, and more - WILL help your application.
Anyone know any good chemistry MOOCs?

EDIT: Is this a MOOC? http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/chemistry/5-111-principles-of-chemical-science-fall-2008/#
Original post by itsConnor_
Anyone know any good chemistry MOOCs?

EDIT: Is this a MOOC? http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/chemistry/5-111-principles-of-chemical-science-fall-2008/#


I think that might be an actual undergraduate module made available for the public - MIT and Stanford have been making theirs publicly available. :smile: I've not looked into them much actually, have been meaning to.

Sites like Coursera are a bit more guided and have forums where you can discuss the content with other students and also people from the university (a bit like seminars).
Original post by PQ
HA

Just found https://www.coursera.org/course/chickens

BEST. COURSE. EVER.

This legit looks amazing!! :biggrin:

Chickens :love:
Original post by itsConnor_
Anyone know any good chemistry MOOCs?

EDIT: Is this a MOOC? http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/chemistry/5-111-principles-of-chemical-science-fall-2008/#


For Chemistry something like https://www.coursera.org/course/philsci or https://www.edx.org/course/ignorance-anux-igno101x (note EDx is the site that MIT host their MOOCs on) might give you a fresh perspective on some of the more standard chem topics to talk about in your PS.

The point of doing MOOCs isn't to boast about them in your PS, and it isn't about getting a headstart on your uni course (some universities will be wary of applicants who appear to think they have already covered the first year syllabus - know-it-all students don't make good students) - it's about using your free time to investigate topics that you're genuinely interested in with a bit of guidance. The value is in having a better understanding of your subject and specific topics and having some specific PERSONAL examples of things that you enjoyed, or that interested you or that you'd like to study further or that you want to work on to improve your knowledge...so that your PS is both personal and shows an improved insight into your proposed degree course.
Yes they are worth doing IMHO, especially if they are on subjects you haven't had the opportunity to study at school. And they are free. And you can either dabble as a taster or work through steadily.

It would be a bit poor if a 'reputable' university department's admissions tutors thought it was 'naff' to take one of their own MOOCs offered through the Futurelearn portal...
Original post by PQ
For Chemistry something like https://www.coursera.org/course/philsci or https://www.edx.org/course/ignorance-anux-igno101x (note EDx is the site that MIT host their MOOCs on) might give you a fresh perspective on some of the more standard chem topics to talk about in your PS.

The point of doing MOOCs isn't to boast about them in your PS, and it isn't about getting a headstart on your uni course (some universities will be wary of applicants who appear to think they have already covered the first year syllabus - know-it-all students don't make good students) - it's about using your free time to investigate topics that you're genuinely interested in with a bit of guidance. The value is in having a better understanding of your subject and specific topics and having some specific PERSONAL examples of things that you enjoyed, or that interested you or that you'd like to study further or that you want to work on to improve your knowledge...so that your PS is both personal and shows an improved insight into your proposed degree course.

I was just asking; you don't have to be so rude about it. :curious:

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