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 :-).

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 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.

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.

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?

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 :)

I’ve only just started level 1 and I’ve only got one module at 60 credits how do I choose level 2 or do I need to wait until I’ve passed 1st year before it lets me select my next modules as when I look it doesn’t allow me to select anything else

I emailed Exeter University about getting into one of their engineering programs, to which they said they would welcome an application on the basis of a minimum 60 Open University credits at OU Level 1 achieved at 60%. Also that they would need for this to include content in maths and science superseding our usual requirement for these subjects at A level. To which I asked if MST124 - Essential Mathematics 1 and SM123 - Physics and space meet their requirements. Their last reply was something along the lines of they cannot guarantee the content of any specific Open University study and that their assessment of a full and formal UCAS application would be to assess the content studied. But also that subjects in maths and science are a good starting point

Would you guys suggest risking it and doing the MST124 and SM123 modules or are there alternatives?

Hoi allemaal,

Ik ben 28 jaar en sinds mijn 14e chronisch ziek. Wel heb ik op mijn 17e via thuis-/zelfstudie mijn havo-diploma weten af te ronden. Sindsdien heb ik echter geen onderwijs meer kunnen volgen. Nu wil ik heel graag onderzoeken of een opleiding aan de Open Universiteit (OU) haalbaar is. Ik zoek geen motivatiepraatjes, maar puur de harde en eerlijke realiteit.

Mijn medische situatie is complex omdat alles elkaar beïnvloedt:

ME/CVS: Mijn grootste energievreter. De eerste 4 uur van de dag ben ik nauwelijks functioneel. Op een zeldzame goede dag heb ik max. 3 uur bruikbare energie. Bij overbelasting krijg ik zware terugvallen (PEM).

POTS: Mijn hartslag schiet bij staan/zitten soms naar de 200, hierdoor heb ik last van syncope. Ik heb een mindervalidenkaart en zeer beperkte fysieke belastbaarheid.

ADHD: Concentratie en planning zijn lastig, maar medicatie (stimulantia) mag ik niet vanwege mijn POTS/hartslag.

Fibromyalgie & Chronische Migraine

Voorgeschiedenis: Gastroparese (ernstig ondergewicht gehad, nu stabieler), vermoeden van hEDS/MCAS.

Waarom regulier onderwijs (MBO-4/HBO) geen optie is:

Mijn belastbaarheid is extreem laag en volledig onvoorspelbaar. Vaste tijden of structureel uren achter elkaar presteren lukt simpelweg niet. Een reguliere MBO-4 of HBO-opleiding is voor mij onmogelijk vanwege de verplichte, zware praktijkstages. Daar loop ik fysiek direct op vast.

Mijn einddoel:

Ik wil niet mijn hele leven stil blijven staan. Mijn doel is om een volwaardige studie af te ronden waarmee ik later volledig vanuit huis een baan of eigen praktijk kan opbouwen (bijvoorbeeld in de juridische of adviserende hoek), waarbij ik 100% mijn eigen afspraken en uren kan inplannen rondom mijn gezondheid.

De OU spreekt me aan vanwege het studeren op afstand zonder verplichte stages in de bachelorfase, maar ik twijfel enorm of dit met mijn brein en lichaam haalbaar is.

Mijn vragen aan jullie:

Zijn er mensen met ME/CVS, POTS of een vergelijkbare combinatie die aan de OU studeren (of hebben gestudeerd)?

Hoeveel tijd kostte het studeren jullie in de praktijk écht per week?

Hoe flexibel is de OU nou daadwerkelijk met deadlines, tentamens en terugvallen als je vastloopt?

Moet je alsnog veel live (online) verplichte lessen volgen, of kun je écht alles asynchroon in je eigen tijd doen?

Ik hoor heel graag jullie eerlijke verhalen. Alvast bedankt!

I’ve signed up to start a degree in February, I’m going to need to buy a laptop for then and plan to apply for the study related costs reimbursement.
I’m antsy and excited and in the meantime want to do some courses on open learn, I’m able to use my iPad for this but do prefer to use a laptop.
How far in advance can I buy a laptop? Like how old would the receipt have to be for them to say no?

Hi

I am a trainee clinical psychologist studying at Newcastle University. My research (for my thesis) is looking into what is important to students in how they identify themselves, and how this relates to mental health and social belongingness. This research will inform student mental health support at UK universities. I would be very grateful if any current university students could take 5-10 minutes to complete an anonymous online questionnaire. 

Please visit the below link to access the information sheet and consent form (once consent is given you will be given the link to the anonymous study survey) 😄

https://nclpsych.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_79bI93MIMcNgl14

Its something that im interested in pursuing in the next year however, i only have a Ba in English.

Will the lack of a relevant Ba hinder my studies?

A while ago i posted about making an OU Animal Crossing Society and got loads of interest! So ive finally made one! It's unofficial for now but will look into making it an official club at some point.

All are welcome as long as you are an OU student!

Comment and ill send you the discord link 🎮❤️

I’m about 2 weeks into my course so far, and enrolled on a single 30 credit module.

I’m not sure I want to continue, but want to really give it another month or so to see if I can get into it more. I’m also just not sure I have what it takes to commit 6 years to this, but I don’t want to withdraw impulsively. I’ve applied for a part time tuition fee loan.

So if I withdraw, how much would I be liable for, and how would this be paid back? I’m assuming I wouldn’t owe the whole module fee (just over £2k) for dropping out so early on?

Hi,

Which degree is the easiest?

I transferred from a brick uni and did credit transfer. Enjoyed my degree in ou and actually planning to pursue a masters degree at a brick uni. For those who were in similar circumstances or simply just did credit transfer previously, may I know how you guys applied for your masters programme. Did the uni require you to submit all your documents, including physical copy of report cards or any documents from your previous uni. Or do they only require the credit transfer certificate provided by open u?

I’ve recently started my LLB with The Open University and was wondering if the OU Law Society still runs mooting competitions or other advocacy activities? I’m hoping to become a barrister and would love to get involved. Any information would be appreciated :)

Not sure if this will help anyone out but I made myself a study planner which works on the web and on mobiles (syncs between both using google drive).

I was busy procrastinating my studies so I made something to kind of help with avoiding falling behind. It is just ran as a web app and lets you put the module you are studying, any TMA's and you can input tutorials by just copying the confirmation or taking a screenshot and adding it. I have tried to make it as easy as possible so you can organise your year as easily as possible.

If you wanna give it a try I'll link it below, just to be clear all data is stored in your own google drive and no data is shared or saved elsewhere (I am a privacy freak).

Features copy pasted from github

• Weekly study hours worked out from each module's credits (the OU guide is about 10 hours per credit), or set your own
• Plans study around work, travel time, tutorials and anything else you block out, either as suggestions or straight into your week
• Plan a week, a month, two months or right up to the end of your modules
• Set which days you study, the times and how long, and mark the days you'd rather study so they get filled first
• Keeps each module to its own days where it can
• Spreads TMA work up to a few days before the deadline and warns you if it won't fit
• Tells you if your modules need more time than you've got free, and shares what there is fairly
• Tick off TMAs when they're submitted so the time goes back to other study
• Catch up on a module you've fallen behind with by adding a few extra hours a week until the next TMA
• Add tutorials by pasting the booking confirmation page or from a screenshot
• Missed tutorials that were recorded get added as a "watch recording" task
• Week and month views, calendar export for Google or Apple Calendar, and reminders on Windows
• Share a module's dates with classmates
• Works offline, light and dark mode, and any time zone (UK by default)

It has an automode so you can put in your work hours and your preferred study days and it will autofill the times you should be studying each module and split them up for you :)

https://dorkling.github.io/OU-Study-Planner/

Github link for anyone who wants to take a look at how it works or fork it etc https://github.com/Dorkling/OU-Study-Planner

Not an advertisement and it is completely free etc, but if it helps anyone then it is a plus <3

How do you decide which degree to do when you want to do them all lol? And once you’ve chosen a degree how do you decide which modules you want to do when you want to do them all 😩🤣

Especially when we consider the OU requires an immense amount of self motivation and even more so when you reach stage 2 and 3. How are you coping?

My course started on the 3rd of October and unit 1 commences on the 17th October. Between the 3rd and 12th (today) I've been constantly telling myself I'll start but guess what I didnt....I was in a similar place last academic year and it was a shit show because once I realized I couldn't do my TMAs 3 hours before midnight because even if I put a 100% of my focus on it, I can't magically surpass the amount of work there is and do 10 hours worth of work in 3 hours or 2 and half hours its just not possible.

I am so scared I'm putting my self in the same situation as last year and I don't know what to do about it.

EDIT- I'm unmedicated...it's been 5 months and I'm still on the waitlist. I remember It took me 4 years to get myself to book this diagnosis appointment. Now I'm 20 and honestly it does feel like a huge burden has been lifted off me after the formal diagnosis however idk what to do now.

hi,

i received my email to say SF england has reviewed my evidence on 02/10/2026 but still yet to hear for a date for medical declaration. i keep trying to get into the online chat for SFE but says its busy all the time. and my course started 03/10/2026 (there was an issue with my application which i had to change which application i applied for). will my evidence be sorted soon or will it take longer? as its my tuition loan and maintenance loan. and haven’t been able to get anything for university as it is and in need of things for studying. any help or advice would be appreciated!

this is for BA Health and social care r26

How difficult is it to study at OU for someone who hasn't been a student in over 5 years and has barely finished an access course that long ago.

Can someone tell me if a business degree is good for someone interested in supply chain project management side of things. Is it doable for someone to study again at 30. I mostly have hospitality and retail experience.

Due to The New life long learning Fund replacing the old system,Will OU Students who study full-time be entitled to a Maintenance Loan? To cover the cost of practical assessments,Laboratory workshops at The OU Campus in Milton Keynes etc.

I'm curious to see everyones long term goals for studying S112 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 pathway (I may revert to Q52). I wish to have a career is ecology and conservation.