One month into our studies, and the "know-it-alls" are already on the forums. I love studying with the OU and am usually tolerant of these types of people, but not this week :-).

I’m currently studying BSc Mathematics at the OU and considering switching to the BEng Mechanical Engineering route, potentially with credit transfer from my previous mechanical engineering studies in the Netherlands. After reviewing the public module descriptions and the Engineering “Discover your module” pages, I’m struggling to understand how much the mathematical and theoretical depth actually progresses. In the Netherlands an engineering program at brick uni’s at research university level is extremely rigorous and demanding. Their curriculum is far above what the OU UK BEng is offering.

The preparation sections repeatedly refer back to introductory handbooks: T271 points to the T192/T193 handbook, while several later modules refer to T194. The T194 handbook covers algebra, trigonometry, vectors, differentiation and integration, introductory differential equations, complex numbers and matrix calculations.
That’s a useful foundation, but the Mathematics degree clearly progresses much further through modules such as MST125 and MST224. I haven’t found a similarly clear progression in the BEng information.

The available engineering examples also look fairly elementary to me: basic formulas, simplified physical models and mostly 2D mechanics. However, I realise I may be judging introductory samples rather than the actual depth of the modules. Referring back to a handbook for assumed knowledge doesn’t necessarily mean that’s the mathematical ceiling.
For anyone studying or who has completed the BEng, particularly the mechanical route:

- Do T271, T272, T229 and the Level 3 modules become substantially more mathematically demanding than the introductory material suggests?
- Where do you encounter multivariable calculus, vector calculus, eigenvalues/eigenvectors, systems of differential equations or PDEs?
- How far do mechanics and physics progress into 3D stress analysis, combined loading, coupled vibrations and advanced dynamics?
-In FEA/CFD, how much do you derive and solve mathematically yourself, versus using software and interpreting results?
-Do assessments mainly involve applying supplied equations, or are there substantial derivations and unfamiliar modelling problems?

My concern is preparation for a mathematically demanding MSc in Mechanical Engineering or computational engineering. I’m open to taking additional maths modules, but I’d like a realistic understanding of what the BEng itself provides.
Am I underestimating the modules because the preview material is introductory, or does the programme remain relatively light on advanced mathematical theory?

I really hope that i’m completely wrong! Because I am really interested in studying this engineering program at OU UK.

EDIT: I’ve looked into several modules like MST210 (mathematical methods, models and modelling) and MST374 Computational Mathematics, MST326 Mathematical Methods and Fluid Mechanics and MS327 Deterministic & Stochastic Dynamics and these courses do have the academic depth that I was looking for. They are a great addition to the engineering program. Thanks for the suggestions.

Hello! I’ve enrolled in criminology and psychology and for the first year atleast I’ll be part time. I’ve come to choose my modules and obviously there’s the compulsory one. When I select the module I want (exploring psychological worlds) it basically gives me a warning on the next page that I should only be doing one (although I haven’t even chosen part time through them yet??) that’s not my main question though
If I only select the compulsory module (introduction to criminology) will I then get the chance to study exploring psychological worlds next year?

Deleted OG post because I felt a bit of a wet pillow case for asking. But after a PM I thought I’d post again…

Started my law degree October 3rd and I am progressing well, I like to think so anyway!

I know there are forums and WhatsApp groups, but after an issue last year I tend to stay away from them.

A few people got in trouble. I'm not sure why to be honest.

Thing is I know the law as a layperson.
However, when I'm reading through the materials I think, f!ck I don't know that.
Which is a good thing because it develops my understanding, knowledge and learning further.

I knew IRAC would come back to bite me in the as$. I HATED it last year and couldn't understand it then. Even when my tutor tried to explain it to me. I have to do it again this year and honestly... I've just cried knowing I can't get my head around it.

l've been offered a paralegal position at a wonderful law firm, but I'm petrified that my knowledge or IRAC will let me down with the firm and more importantly, my studies.

So my question is... can you explain it to me in a way that a non legal person would understand for the first time? My old tutor tried to explain it to me like a burger, but I couldn't understand what he was talking about.

Thanks and if you're studying W112, hi!

I'm curious to see everyones long term goals for studying S112 - Science,: Concepts and Practice, and beyond. Im 37, married, 4 kids and work full time. I completed U116 in 2020 and recently decided to return to study. My long term goal is to complete the R16 - Geography and Environmental Science Bsc. pathway (I may revert to Q52 - Environment Science). I wish to have a career is ecology and conservation.

This is gonna sound really strange but for context after sixth form I took a gap year and I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. After my gap year I decided I want to do teaching so I was researching about this and saw that there are Teacher Degree Apprenticeships and when I sarted working in primary schools doing supply work, I got quite lucky and I ended up working in the same primary school for 6 months so I enquired about whether a TDA is something the school could consider. The headteacher declined and I've seen on social media how funding is quite tight for schools ect so it was a bummer but I do understand.

I've been so adament on this TDA route instead of going to uni and my family doesn't recommend going to uni due to the debt and how it's difficult to land a graduate job after graduating. They use my brother as an example because when my brother graduated around 4 years ago he couldn't find a graduate job so had to switch careers and did an IT course and is now doing really well. So they now don't really like the idea of university. Now it's a new academic year and I can see how schools are being strict with their funding and budgeting so the idea of going through the TDA route instead of univeristy is not looking very realistic now.

I've been thinking to do the DipHE in Education studies (primary) via the Open Univeristy but essentially don't want my family to find out that I'm studying via university. After completing this diploma, I can do a top up degree at St Mary University to get my QTS which I will tell them about because theres obviously no way to get a QTS without going to university. But it's just the initial diploma, they will see it as me racking up debt and be dissapointed as I was so certain about not going university and not doing things the traditional university route.

So I just wanted to ask if its possible to enroll on this course without my parents knowing? and yes I do live with them. Thank you :)