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Open University Credit transfer advice

Hi,

I was just wondering if anyone here has already got a degree and then received another degree from the Open University by way of credit transfer and then topping up with modules?

I already have a BA (Archaeology from Newcastle University) and an MSc (Water and Environmental Management from Brighton University) but I was considering doing a BSc alongside my work. I work as a freelance ecologist using skills and quals I've picked up from past work experience but I think my unrelated undergraduate degree holds me back to some extent. Indeed it will take me a few more years to be fully accredited by the professional institute (IEEM) because of my BA. I'd be looking to study Biology, Ecology or Environmental Science, which I believe falls under one of the OU Natural Sciences degrees.

Does anyone know how much a BA and MSc would translate to credit-wise and therefore how much time and money I could save? I am just wondering how it works exactly.

Thanks
(edited 11 years ago)

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Reply 1
Hi

I'm no expert on this, but alls I know is that the OU make you do at least 2 level 3 courses with them at the minimum, in order to get a degree with them (providing your credits meet the maximum amount).
Student at the Open University
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Milton Keynes
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Original post by Toaster Leavings
Hi,

I was just wondering if anyone here has already got a degree and then received another degree from the Open University by way of credit transfer and then topping up with modules?

I already have a BA (Archaeology from Newcastle University) and an MSc (Water and Environmental Management from Brighton University) but I was considering doing a BSc alongside my work. I work as a freelance ecologist using skills and quals I've picked up from past work experience but I think my unrelated undergraduate degree holds me back to some extent. Indeed it will take me a few more years to be fully accredited by the professional institute (IEEM) because of my BA. I'd be looking to study Biology, Ecology or Environmental Science, which I believe falls under one of the OU Natural Sciences degrees.

Does anyone know how much a BA and MSc would translate to credit-wise and therefore how much time and money I could save? I am just wondering how it works exactly.

Thanks


Hi there. I did the credit transfer using course credits gained at a traditional university after I had to leave due to ill-health. I think with credit transfer it's only with credits that have been achieved only and not the full degree. If you have a BSc already I don't think they can offer you credit transfer because essentially there's nothing to transfer over in the first place. I may be wrong so I would contact the OU directly and ask them.
Original post by Gridiron-Gangster
Hi there. I did the credit transfer using course credits gained at a traditional university after I had to leave due to ill-health. I think with credit transfer it's only with credits that have been achieved only and not the full degree. If you have a BSc already I don't think they can offer you credit transfer because essentially there's nothing to transfer over in the first place. I may be wrong so I would contact the OU directly and ask them.


That does seem to make sense, unfortunately!

I'll see what they say.
Reply 4
As GG says, you won't get anything for a completed degree. It's possible that if you sign up to the Natural Sciences or Environmental Science (there is a separate qualification for this) degree, you might get some credit for your work experience. But probably not that much,


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(edited 11 years ago)
Original post by Nitebot
As GG says, you won't get anything for a completed degree. It's possible that if you sign up to the Natural Sciences or Environmental Science (there is a separate qualification for this) degree, you might get some credit for your work experience. But probably not that much,


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App


I contacted the OU credit transfer team and what you advised is incorrect. Completed degrees can count towards credit transfer. I don't know how much I'll get before a formal assessment but I just thought I would set the matter straight. Mostly in case anyone Googles a similar query and comes across my thread.
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 6
Original post by Toaster Leavings
I contacted the OU credit transfer team and what you advised is incorrect. Completed degrees can count towards credit transfer. I don't know how much I'll get before a formal assessment but I just thought I would set the matter straight. Mostly in case anyone Googles a similar query and comes across my thread.

Ok fair enough. I knew that completed foreign degrees (which don't meet UK standards) could be used for credit transfer but didn't think that UK degrees would count. Anyway thanks for setting the record straight.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App
Original post by Toaster Leavings
I contacted the OU credit transfer team and what you advised is incorrect. Completed degrees can count towards credit transfer. I don't know how much I'll get before a formal assessment but I just thought I would set the matter straight. Mostly in case anyone Googles a similar query and comes across my thread.


That's good news. Keep us posted. I may yet do that on day again if I'm for doing another bachelor's lol.
Reply 8
I also spoke to the OU today and they informed me that I can use both credits from a BSc and from a PGCE to transfer to a BA/BSc Open (Hons), up to 240 credits. Provided the transfer of 240 credits is successful, I would have to complete 120 credits at OU Level 3 over 7 years. The degree classification would be calculated from the results of the OU modules. Even though there has been an increase in fees, I am definitely going to do this, I'll just take my time. :smile:
That's cool! Congratulations....
I have a previous degree in electronics & communication engineering. I wish to apply for credit transfer and get an OU degree. Could anyone please advise me which OU degree should I choose so that I get maximum credit transfer apart from their 'open degree'?
Original post by Hillol
That's cool! Congratulations....
I have a previous degree in electronics & communication engineering. I wish to apply for credit transfer and get an OU degree. Could anyone please advise me which OU degree should I choose so that I get maximum credit transfer apart from their 'open degree'?


If you have an ordinary BA/BSc degree (without honours), then you could transfer your credits to the OU and top-up your ordinary degree to a BA/BSc (Hons). But you can't transfer credits if you already have an Hons degree. Do you have an Hons degree?
Original post by Snufkin
If you have an ordinary BA/BSc degree (without honours), then you could transfer your credits to the OU and top-up your ordinary degree to a BA/BSc (Hons). But you can't transfer credits if you already have an Hons degree. Do you have an Hons degree?


Thanks for your reply. Yes, I already have an HONOURS degree.
Original post by Hillol
Thanks for your reply. Yes, I already have an HONOURS degree.


As I understand it, you can transfer up to 2/3 of your Hons degree credits into an OU degree but only if the subject is the same. Why anyone would want to do a second degree in the same subject as their first is a mystery to me. I think you have to consider what a future employer will say. It seems dishonest, even fraudulent to claim two degrees when you’ve only done the work for one.
Original post by Snufkin
As I understand it, you can transfer up to 2/3 of your Hons degree credits into an OU degree but only if the subject is the same. Why anyone would want to do a second degree in the same subject as their first is a mystery to me. I think you have to consider what a future employer will say. It seems dishonest, even fraudulent to claim two degrees when you’ve only done the work for one.


Would it not be like redoing final year (or bit more if don't get full 240 credits transferred) and trying to end up with a better class of honours? I agree with you though.
Hi,
Let me explain the my situation. I have completed my previous degree from India. After that I got an MBA from a UK university. However, when I applied for jobs in bangladesh, employers tend to respect my UK MBA, however, they don't like my indian degree which was in engineering. I believe that there are some reasons for that.
First of all, having an engineering degree, they think, I'm over qualified and they can't afford to hire an 'engineer'. Or simply it could be like, being an 'engineer', they think I should only apply for engineering jobs or else they think that I have no focus in life as I have undergraduate degree in one subject and postgraduate degree in another.
I know it sounds silly, but I have accepted this situation and am trying to correct this.
What I'm planning is that I want to try and combine by engineering and MBA degrees in one subject i.e. Computing & IT and Business offered by OU, so that I get maximum credits.
Original post by Hillol
Hi,
Let me explain the my situation. I have completed my previous degree from India. After that I got an MBA from a UK university. However, when I applied for jobs in bangladesh, employers tend to respect my UK MBA, however, they don't like my indian degree which was in engineering. I believe that there are some reasons for that.
First of all, having an engineering degree, they think, I'm over qualified and they can't afford to hire an 'engineer'. Or simply it could be like, being an 'engineer', they think I should only apply for engineering jobs or else they think that I have no focus in life as I have undergraduate degree in one subject and postgraduate degree in another.
I know it sounds silly, but I have accepted this situation and am trying to correct this.
What I'm planning is that I want to try and combine by engineering and MBA degrees in one subject i.e. Computing & IT and Business offered by OU, so that I get maximum credits.


I see, well that makes much more sense. It seems a shame that you have to go to such lengths just to get the respect you deserve, but in your situation I would probably do the same thing. Have you checked to see if the Computing and IT degree is available to students in Bangladesh? It may not be.
Original post by Hillol
Hi,
Let me explain the my situation. I have completed my previous degree from India. After that I got an MBA from a UK university. However, when I applied for jobs in bangladesh, employers tend to respect my UK MBA, however, they don't like my indian degree which was in engineering. I believe that there are some reasons for that.
First of all, having an engineering degree, they think, I'm over qualified and they can't afford to hire an 'engineer'. Or simply it could be like, being an 'engineer', they think I should only apply for engineering jobs or else they think that I have no focus in life as I have undergraduate degree in one subject and postgraduate degree in another.
I know it sounds silly, but I have accepted this situation and am trying to correct this.
What I'm planning is that I want to try and combine by engineering and MBA degrees in one subject i.e. Computing & IT and Business offered by OU, so that I get maximum credits.


Arr ok.

The only thing I would caution is that you might not get the full 240 credits transferred across (unless take the open degree which defeats point of what you want to do) as it'll be based on what overlap of subject syllabuses there are and if they think you have the pre requisite knowledge to do the OU level 3 modules. I transferred a joint biology & chemistry nat sci diploma across for science and only got the full 240 if took their chemistry pathway or only 150 if took biology as they (quite rightly) deduced I hadn't studied some of the topics for biology that come up on their level 2 syllabus.
So there is a very good chance you might have to do more than the 'final' year of degree, level 3, modules.

The best thing I would say is really get as many syllabus details for the modules for your original degree to send to them as it'll make the comparison easier for them and then they will know what you have definitely covered before so have a better chance of awarding more credits.

I can see why you are doing this but it does seem like a lot of work and at the new fees won't be cheap but at least credit transfer applications are free so you can apply then make mind up depending on what they offer.
Original post by Snufkin
I see, well that makes much more sense. It seems a shame that you have to go to such lengths just to get the respect you deserve, but in your situation I would probably do the same thing. Have you checked to see if the Computing and IT degree is available to students in Bangladesh? It may not be.
Hi Snufkin,Many thanks for your encouragement. Atleast now I feel more confident about my decision.I'm a dual British Bangladeshi citizen, and would be returning back to London next month to apply for credit transfer. Throughout my studies, I will be based in London.Initially, I have identified three named degrees.B04 - BA (Hons) Business Studies with specialisation in ICTB67 - BSc (Hons) Computing & IT and second subject i.e. BusinessB20 - BSc (Hons) Technology
Original post by laalNick
Arr ok.

The only thing I would caution is that you might not get the full 240 credits transferred across (unless take the open degree which defeats point of what you want to do) as it'll be based on what overlap of subject syllabuses there are and if they think you have the pre requisite knowledge to do the OU level 3 modules. I transferred a joint biology & chemistry nat sci diploma across for science and only got the full 240 if took their chemistry pathway or only 150 if took biology as they (quite rightly) deduced I hadn't studied some of the topics for biology that come up on their level 2 syllabus.
So there is a very good chance you might have to do more than the 'final' year of degree, level 3, modules.

The best thing I would say is really get as many syllabus details for the modules for your original degree to send to them as it'll make the comparison easier for them and then they will know what you have definitely covered before so have a better chance of awarding more credits.

I can see why you are doing this but it does seem like a lot of work and at the new fees won't be cheap but at least credit transfer applications are free so you can apply then make mind up depending on what they offer.


Hi laalNick,
Thanks for your reply. I have syllabuses of all the courses I have studied elsewhere. However, I fear that they might get tired of looking into all the course details that I finished.
I have done some homework and have identified 3 potential named degrees.
B04 - BA (Hons) in Business Studies specialising in ICT, This degree has more business modules and fewer ICT modules
B67 - BSc (Hons) in Computing & IT and Second Subject (i.e. Business), This degree has more ICT modules and fewer business modules
B20 - BSc (Hons) in Technology, This degree covers a broad area of technology, covering all the technology modules, as my previous degree is in Electronics & Communication Engineering, this B20 degree might allow me a generous credit transfer, possibly more than 240 credits. Altleast this degree would be better than an 'Open' degree which is very hard to explain to potential employers.
I will first see how much credits they will allow me for each of the three named degrees and then I can decide.

Here are my qualifications:
BTech in Electronics & Communication Engineering from India.
180 postgraduate credits - MBA from UK
120 postgraduate credits - CIPD Advanced Diploma in HRM
30 postgraduate credits - BTEC Cert in Strategic Management & Leadership


I'm not sure how OU will treat my postgraduate level credits for transferring to undergraduate level. Can anyone give any idea please?
Original post by Hillol

B20 degree might allow me a generous credit transfer, possibly more than 240 credits.

The most you can get is 240 credits transferred as they need 120 credits (at level 3) worth of modules studied with them to calculate overall degree classification as they don't take into account grades from transferred credit just as long as you've passed. I think the only exception to this is topping up some regular degree (300credits) to a Honours degree (360) which doesn't apply in your case.

Original post by Hillol

I have syllabuses of all the courses I have studied elsewhere. However, I fear that they might get tired of looking into all the course details that I finished.


Don't be afraid to send them a fair bit of stuff, I sent them about 20 pages in total of syllabus info for every module I did as part of the diploma. More info is better as they can offer better transfer options.

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