If you take a degree purely to get a good job you are foolish. People go through education to prepare themselves to learn for the rest of their lives NOT simply to just get a job.

Thanks! It needs some work but it's a good starting point

You can pretty much as many credits as you want a year up to 120 credits. Most units are 30 or 60 credits. And you leave gaps between study as long as you complete the degree within 16 years.

stage 1 is the mandatory foundation and yields 120 credits of the 360 required for an honours degree. these credits are not included in the calculations to work out the *classification* of degree (First, 2:1, etc.) but you must have those, either by completing OU modules or transferring sufficient previous degree-level credits from another institution, to complete the full degree programme.

@@ncodr Oh okay that makes sense thank you

Since I have programming knowledge and even some work experience, I understand the practical aspects of programming. However, I believe having an official diploma would help me establish myself as a "legitimate" programmer in the eyes of HR.

Yes the Open University would probably allow you to enrol. It doesn't assume previous education. Why not contact them? It's a great institution.

Ziomeczku, na OU możesz studiować bez wcześniejszych dyplomów. Nie mają wymagań. Może być ci trochę trudniej z nauką ale warto ;)

I started the computing and IT degree in April. Didn’t have much experience either aside from GCSE level. They completely ease you in as if you don’t know anything. I definitely recommend going for it 😊

@@bethanyscarlett6849 what’s your take on the math courses that are part of the compulsory modules for the computing and IT degree. How difficult are they? Should I go for it given the price??

@@vd9177 I’ve not started the Maths modules yet, going to start one in October. They offer two different Maths modules you can choose from. One is GCSE level skill and the other is more A-Level. However I’ve heard from other students in my group that have started them that they’re excellent.

@@vd9177 you have a choice between mu123/mst124. they are both worth 30 credits. mu123 is easier (A/Higher level) and does not have an exam, mst124 has an exam and i understand is more involved. if you don't intend to go down a pure programming route with your other modules, mu123 is a straightforward 30-credit module with plenty of additional resources available online to get you through it.

I’m starting my journey in Feb with Open University, but decided to do a free access course to ease myself in, and honestly I’m so excited. It’s usually 30 weeks but they have an 18 week fast track option which I took. Again, for me this was free so that’s win win. Hoping to do an Open degree after that!

Maths was always a subject I did well in whilst at school and as such I chose the harder maths module assuming I would do okay. As the harder maths module content is at an A Level standard, not the GCSE level I had done before at school, it was a module I struggled with and had to postpone to another year which was quite the wake up call for me at the time.

@@TomWagstaff ahh I see okay Man. I hope you graduated with the grades you wanted.

Hello Sarah, yes the OU will allow you to study as they don’t have any formal entry requirements 🙂

Oh hope I get the admission, thank you for your help 💛

Thank you for opening up about your experience with OU and studying for a degree in general. It can be a massive kick in the gut when your original idea of a career doesn’t wok out. It can be tough deciding between trying something you enjoy but doesn’t guarantee a job or sticking with a tried and tested career that will give you some stability. I’m in a similar position, currently got a customer service role but crave something bigger and better. Obviously only you can decide which is the right option for you, I can only offer the generic advice that you’ve probably seen time and time again. Which is that you don’t need to give up your writing aspiration even if you do start working or studying for a different career. Writing can be very flexible when you first start and if you carry on pursuing it you will start to pick up odd jobs here and there which can lead to a more permanent position or a recurring client depending on your desired outcome. You just need to keep at it! Your point about tutors being contradicting with one another is a valid opinion. I often got different advice on how I should appropriately reference my sources etc. One way was perfect for one tutor, the next wanted a slightly different layout. I’m glad I helped give you the confidence to get back in to education and I commend you for putting a positive spin on your experience and acknowledging that even though it didn’t go to plan it has helped point you in the right direction. Good luck with what you decide to do going forward, I hope to come across a piece of your writing at some point in the future!

imho, any potential employer stating, particularly in an interview, a negative view of a candidate self-studying at degree level is a red flag and says more about the interviewer's attitude to motivated and ambitious individuals than it does about their reliability and likelihood to leave/change employment. it's more than likely you dodged some very poor organisations more interested in the 'bum on seat' approach to vacancy filling, than considering your skills alignment, fit for culture, and potential as a valued employee. as a fellow OU student, you should be proud of your achievements and your dedication to furthering your education and employment prospects.

Hey! I’m due to start mine in October and I’m looking forward to it! What pathway are you going with? I’m taking the Software pathway.

Hey, I’m glad my videos are helping you, good luck with your studies!

Glad you enjoyed the video. That’s a really good idea, if I get confident enough I may just do that, thank you!

@Tom Wagstaff That's just it one possible idea for you to consider. Vlogging what you have learnt this day/week etc talking about what you have done and showing and explaining things educational wise helps cement what you have learned. Same with doing the odd tutorial hear and there, when confident enough to. Then there is pros that when and if comfortable enough to apply for jobs, you could mention your channel. Pro in an application process if hint your channel somewhere in the process it shows where you were, where you are now and what you understand. Can be powerful. Most importantly, though, it helps with learning something and others that may enjoy the content, too. Defo something I will be doing in the future on another account, as something that has come up a number of times. Obviously, it helps if something of interest before doing. There is always that possibility of the channel also growing and end up as a content creator on the subject to, although small chance always that possibility and you end that route instead lol. All the best for the future with whatever you do 😉🙂

Hey! Sadly I didn’t do any online exams, at the time I did my degree the in person exams were replaced with an EMA🙂

I think I will do the regrets video. As you said, the journey is different for everyone, good luck with yours!

@TomWagstaff thanks Tom, I have watched your videos for much of my degree with great interest. It will be 7 years by the time I have finished. I was never brave enough to make videos like you, though. Thanks for the inspiration.

Thank you very much, OpenLearn has some great content on there for sure. Hopefully, I'll be a bit more active on KZbin going forward, so you can expect some more content in the future.

Thank you for watching, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! It can be difficult to decide on what modules you want to do, just take your time and do your research on the modules that interest you. Even if you're not sure what career you want to do there's usually a part of the module that you can twist to be relevant to whichever career you pursue going forward.