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Student at the Open University
Open University
Milton Keynes

Teaching with a degree from the Open Uni?

Hi,

I was wondering how valuable is a degree from the OpenUni when wanting to get into teaching for a subject like History, Geography. Is it harder to get onto a PGCE course with an open uni degree compared to a brick uni?

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Student at the Open University
Open University
Milton Keynes
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Original post by OrdinaryStudent
Hi,

I was wondering how valuable is a degree from the OpenUni when wanting to get into teaching for a subject like History, Geography. Is it harder to get onto a PGCE course with an open uni degree compared to a brick uni?

Nope, OU degrees would be fine. PGCE admissions do not care about where your degree is from, basically.

For Secondary, your degree would need to be at least 50% of the subject you want to teach (at least 50% of the modules would need to be History to get onto a Secondary History PGCE course), so bear that in mind when choosing your degree and then your modules.
Original post by doctorwhofan98
Nope, OU degrees would be fine. PGCE admissions do not care about where your degree is from, basically.

For Secondary, your degree would need to be at least 50% of the subject you want to teach (at least 50% of the modules would need to be History to get onto a Secondary History PGCE course), so bear that in mind when choosing your degree and then your modules.

Is there some sort of statistic which shows how many open uni students get into teaching?
Original post by OrdinaryStudent
Is there some sort of statistic which shows how many open uni students get into teaching?

I don't think so. The university really is irrelevant to the process - they just care that you've got a 2:2 or higher (many require a 2:1) in a relevant degree. What will get you into teaching is plenty of work experience (observing in schools) and essentially being passionate.
Original post by doctorwhofan98
I don't think so. The university really is irrelevant to the process - they just care that you've got a 2:2 or higher (many require a 2:1) in a relevant degree. What will get you into teaching is plenty of work experience (observing in schools) and essentially being passionate.

Okay, thank you!
Original post by momomo44
*bump*

Are you at the open uni or plan to go to the open uni and then pursue a pgce afterwards?
Original post by OrdinaryStudent
Are you at the open uni or plan to go to the open uni and then pursue a pgce afterwards?


Interested in the responses...no plans currently...
Original post by doctorwhofan98
I don't think so. The university really is irrelevant to the process - they just care that you've got a 2:2 or higher (many require a 2:1) in a relevant degree. What will get you into teaching is plenty of work experience (observing in schools) and essentially being passionate.


Exactly.
It doesnt matter which uni you went to, as long as you have the required grades and the relevant work experience.
Original post by Emma:-)
Exactly.
It doesnt matter which uni you went to, as long as you have the required grades and the relevant work experience.

Oh okay thanks =)
Original post by OrdinaryStudent
Oh okay thanks =)

As the others have said, an OU degree is fine - it just needs to be a 2ii or higher and at least 50% of it in the subject that you want to teach (at secondary)
Original post by Reality Check
As the others have said, an OU degree is fine - it just needs to be a 2ii or higher and at least 50% of it in the subject that you want to teach (at secondary)

Thanks so much!

Im in my final year at a brick uni, but i've really been struggling this year and have super bad anxiety about straight up failing, so I am basically trying to plan what to do if I do end up failing lol

Also the issue is I have looked at other pathways to get into teaching, for example being hired by a school where they train you to gain a QTS. However, for most or some of these vacancies they state they want a 2.1- sometimes from a Russell group university.
(edited 5 years ago)
Original post by OrdinaryStudent
Thanks so much!

Im in my final year at a brick uni, but i've really been struggling this year and have super bad anxiety about straight up failing, so I am basically trying to plan what to do if I do end up failing lol

Also the issue is I have looked at other pathways to get into teaching, for example being hired by a school where they train you to gain a QTS. However, for most or some of these vacancies they state they want a 2.1- sometimes from a Russell group university.


Are you really not on track for a 2ii? And have you sought help for your anxiety from the university's Student Welfare service :smile:

However, for most or some of these vacancies they state they want a 2.1- sometimes from a Russell group university.


I have never heard of such a thing - where Schools-based training is restricted to those with a Russell Group university degree. I"m not saying I don't believe you: only that this is a new one on me. Could you tell us which schools you've seen which are advertising this? It's a ridiculous thing for the school to be doing because they know full well that "Russell Group" doesn't actually mean anything - it's just a marketing term.
Original post by Reality Check
Are you really not on track for a 2ii? And have you sought help for your anxiety from the university's Student Welfare service :smile:



I have never heard of such a thing - where Schools-based training is restricted to those with a Russell Group university degree. I"m not saying I don't believe you: only that this is a new one on me. Could you tell us which schools you've seen which are advertising this? It's a ridiculous thing for the school to be doing because they know full well that "Russell Group" doesn't actually mean anything - it's just a marketing term.

I am on track for a 2.1, however I am really worried about just outright failing too many modules or my dissertation this year which will prevent me from graduating with a 2.2 and will be contacting student welfare soon.

I cant rememebr which schools exactly, but I am certain a few schools I have looked at either stated they 'prefer' applicants from russel group univerisites or something along those lines, however it has been a while since I checked.
Reply 15
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G-Sci
17
Original post by OrdinaryStudent
Hi,

I was wondering how valuable is a degree from the OpenUni when wanting to get into teaching for a subject like History, Geography. Is it harder to get onto a PGCE course with an open uni degree compared to a brick uni?

I’m doing my PGCE now and there’s a guy on my course who done his BSc with open university
Original post by georgem93
I’m doing my PGCE now and there’s a guy on my course who done his BSc with open university

That is reassuring to hear!! If you dont mind me asking, where are you doing your PGCE?
Reply 17
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Original post by OrdinaryStudent
That is reassuring to hear!! If you dont mind me asking, where are you doing your PGCE?

We’re at goldsmiths, PGCE in secondary science with biology specialism
Original post by OrdinaryStudent
I am on track for a 2.1, however I am really worried about just outright failing too many modules or my dissertation this year which will prevent me from graduating with a 2.2 and will be contacting student welfare soon.

I cant rememebr which schools exactly, but I am certain a few schools I have looked at either stated they 'prefer' applicants from russel group univerisites or something along those lines, however it has been a while since I checked.


Don't let worrying about the Russell Group put you off from getting a 2.1, for non-shortage subjects competition is fiercer and you'll be better off with a higher final classification.

Also note that you can't do anything about the OU not being in the Russell group so just don't waste any energy on it... you can focus all your efforts on getting the best grades possible instead. Don't mentally talk yourself into thinking it's not worth bothering because of the bloody Russell Group
Original post by Joinedup
Don't let worrying about the Russell Group put you off from getting a 2.1, for non-shortage subjects competition is fiercer and you'll be better off with a higher final classification.

Also note that you can't do anything about the OU not being in the Russell group so just don't waste any energy on it... you can focus all your efforts on getting the best grades possible instead. Don't mentally talk yourself into thinking it's not worth bothering because of the bloody Russell Group

I am currently at a Russel group uni, but i am extremely worried about failing my last year and thinking I may have to resit the 3rd year elsewhere like the openuni which is why im asking :-/

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