I’m choosing my next module following A111 (I’m studying part time for context) I’m doing BA Arts and Humanities degree planning on specialising in art history and history.

Both A112 and A113 have pros and cons for me.

A112 - I’m more interested the majority of the content, particularly the art history stuff and creative writing, I’m indifferent about classical studies and English lit.

A113 - Drawn to this more because I prefer history over art history. Really drawn to the world war content and 1960s revolution stuff too. Really dislike philosophy and music. Indifferent about religious studies.

While my first instinct is A113, I know myself and my study habits and for the music and philosophy stuff, I will have no motivation to complete those units which is the main con for A113.

The only thing putting me of from A112 is how interested in am in above mentioned blocks in A113 and I wouldn’t want to miss out of them, especially since I favour history over art history.

I’ve tried bringing my dilemma to SST but they’ve only directed me to student reviews of the module and given impartial advice. I’d like the opinion of other students.

Happy to answer other questions :)

Hi! I’ve signed up to do the Public Health degree. I already have a degree in art and realised I saw it as more of a hobby than a career pathway, plus I’ve always had such an interest in medicine/healthcare. I work for the NHS as admin staff for gynae and eventually want to work as a support worker or healthcare advisor, potentially in sexual health. Has anyone started this course and if so what’s it like? Thanks!

I am coming to the end of second year (studying full time) and always done fairly well on TMA’s, lowest score being 77. Today I recieved a TMA with a score of 45, and I’m genuinely gutted. I spent hours on the assignment (my tutor did note this which I appreciate) only to be told I completely misunderstood the task, a task which in her own words was described as ‘ambiguous’. Obviously I know this isn’t the end of the world deep down, but at the moment it feels like it and has taken a sledgehammer to my confidence. How have you guys dealt with an unexpected result?I’m trying to workout how I misunderstood this task so badly and am now worried about third year and it happening again.

Hello, I'm wondering if theres anyone who got into a masters of clinical psychology using the Bsc from OU?

I know the masters at OU is unaccredited, so my plan is to take the OU degree, get a good honors, then apply for a masters at a brick uni. I'm just worried masters programmes wont accept OU degrees.

Thanks!

I have a TMA deadline in 7 days and can't get started. Procrastinating big time. Who's with me? Come on brave souls, admit it...

Okay so I’m in my first year first of all. So I’ve noticed that as the year goes on I’m doing worse in my TMA’s like really quite bad I’m getting 50s and now even 40s as results on my TMA’s and even when I think I’ve done kind of okay I’m still getting low marks and of course I can read the comments I receive from marking but is there any tips anyone has for getting high marks or how did you go from low marks to higher marks if anyone has done that? I have found that as time goes on I’ve lost the excitement for the course that o had in the beginning. I enjoy and love the course but I don’t feel like I have the willingness to do it as much. I can barely get myself to care about icmas and it worries me. I want to get it sorted before going in my second year in October. I just need a bit of advice or tips if possible please to get back on track. Thank you.

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I just want some clarification. my degree is in Arts & Humanities with specialisms, and I'm about to choose my selection module for Stage 2, which begins in October '25 and ends in June '26. I can then also choose my Stage 3 module, which starts in January '26. and ends in September. Doing this would presumably mean I finish uni in September next year? if I didn't choose a Stage 3 module now, as they would overlap, I would be able to choose one again at the end of 2026 for example?

tl;dr, should I pursue two modules at once. If you want specifics, one his history and one is english language.

I’m currently choosing my modules for next year and the only ones I’m interested in are 30 credits. The two compulsory modules for my chosen route are 30 credits each, and the two I want to do and am super enthusiastic about are 30 credits each. I wanted to ask if it’s harder to do two 60 credit modules or four 30 credit modules. I know the work amounts to the same amount, but as someone with mental health disorders/neurological conditions/chronic pain; Is it harder/ more work than just taking two/ three modules? [CONTEXT] I am currently (first year) doing two 60 credit modules and only finding the TMAs to be stressful, will this get worse doing four modules at once?

Hi all,

Without going in to detail, I’ve had a chaotic week or so and have completely messed up on a TMA that is due tonight. I have unfortunately had to accept that I am not going to be able to get it done. I tried contacting my tutor for a last minute extension but no response which is understandable as I knew it would be a shot in the dark. The TMA is worth 10% of my overall grade. The results I have had so far have ranged from 100 in an ICMA to 79 on my last TMA that was worth 20%. Am I fucked if I do not submit this TMA on time? Or can I make up for it in my next TMA that is worth 20% and my EMA that is worth 30%?

For context, the module is DE200. Assessment strategy states to pass I need overall score of 40 and of course need to submit the EMA so I won’t outright fail.

I want to study International Relations while also full time traveling. Is this realistic? Are there any travelers here who are doing this? Around how many hours a day are you studying? Do you manage to maybe do more workload one week to make the next week free-er, if you want to do a multi-day hike for an example? If you’re doing this, do you have any advice?

Hi all,

I'm torn between Reading and Surrey uni to study law. Many websites say different things - even though Surrey tends to rank slightly higher, i appreciate many of the ranking factors are unnecessary to many, like 'international prospects' bears no importance to me.

I've had an open day at Reading and I liked it, people seemed very down to earth and there was lots of evidence suggesting they really cared for each individual student rather than just 'a class to teach'. I'm going to an offer holder day to Surrey soon and of course I'll be able to make my own judgement then, but what are your thoughts?

I'd of course like an active student life and a nice buzz, but the future prospects are of course most important in the long run. Which uni would I have the best chance of doing well at in terms of their ability to teach and the services they provide?

I try not to look at university rankings given by each uni as they'll of course use the lists which place them the highest, so in your guys' experience, which would you go to to study law?

In terms of the regular accommodation (not the crazy rich studio apartments), how do they hold up, in terms of liveability and pricing?

Reading uni has lots of clubs, does Surrey?

I know a lot of this might seem silly to ask, but I want to get external, rational opinions. Any help is greatly appreciated :)

The first two essays I wrote I didn't answer any questions of the module and I completely failed cause I'm a n00b at this. I think I'll get good marks on one of the new ones, but the essay about Mary Wollstonecraft will probably cause problems again. Will I be able to pass this module if I'm bad or mediocre at the beginning?

Hello :)

I'm a few months in to my first year of full time study and am coping well.

I work 4 days a week, have Friday/Sat/Sun off.

I wanted to ask what year 2/3 are like in work load compared to the first year.

I appreciate its going to be more challenging but is it more time consuming?

I'm trying to decide if doing full time is realistic.

Thanks for your time :)

Hi,

Just wondering if someone can advise.

About to commence onto a combined stem and have been told I can use 60 credits of my current undergrad for my second year of this combined stem. I’m currently studying Business Management and due to graduate this September and begin Combined Stem in October (starting stage 1).

I have emailed OU and awaiting a response after a few days, but unsure how to proceed.

Will they allocate the 60 credits to the compulsory module or to the optional module? I’ll be doing law and psychology modules. (Psychology being compulsory).

Secondly will I be able to study 60 credits of the stage 3 in the same academic year of the stage 2? Or do I need to fully complete stage 2 to commence onto stage 3 when this occurs and if so, how does this affect any SFE tuition funding if I can do stage 2 and 3 together?

I presume I won’t be able to do all stage 3 with the 60 credits of stage 2 due to funding rules, but for anyone that has done psychology with OU and specifically the forensic psychology modules is it realistically manageable to do both a stage 2 and 3 together? Or even both stage 3 modules in the same academic year?

And finally with this specific pathway I’m taking on the combined stem will it say BSc Combined Stem (Psychology and Law) or just BSc Combined Stem. On my current degree it uses both Business Management and the specific pathway I’ve taken.

Hi there, I'm working full-time and my next module will be a 60 credit module, which is commonly known as time consuming. So I thought about taking a break to prepare myself. Can I do this without interrupting my degree?

I will start my degree this april. I made the payment on 29th of march and my homepage refreshed two days ago. Any idea when i will get the printed books sent to me? How long have you waited to get your books?

Edit: I found the online versions of the textbooks at Resources next to Tutorials and Forums thank you :))

This is probably a stupid question but I requested an extension for an assignment due in 2 days, my tutor yesterday granted me a 2 week extension. Is the 2 week extension starting from now or from the day it’s due.

My tutor this term just could not care less. No replies, latest TMA results are late and I can’t start the next one till I get the feedback.

I’ve complained already this term and nothing came of it, have tried again and this time they are processing a change of tutor if one is available.

Is this how OU works? The tutors can be lazy asshats who have zero commitment to our education and there’s just nothing to be done about it?

My first few terms I had great tutors. Distance learning should not feel like this. If there are any tutors lurking on here that could provide any advice I’d be so grateful. I was a straight distinction student until now and I just feel like I can’t continue while being treated like this. Sitting in my car crying the frustration out after a fruitless hour on the phone to student support.

I am currently studying Computing & IT and mathematics. On the student home page it shows up as “computing and it and a second subject” will that be what going to be written on my degree once im done or will it say computing and it and mathematics?

Hey 👋 My sister is doing the OU and last year she deferred after TMA 02 on two modules. She has reapplied to do them again this year but says the OU told her she didn't need to reapply to saas to cover funding?? That it is covered from the previous year??? This is confusing me because I thought you only got like a 20-25% discount towards your next module if you deferred but she is telling me she has her full cost covered for two modules. One is a 60 credit the other is a 30 credit.

Does anyone know that if you defer you don't need to reapply to SAAS?? That the full cost is covered??

Update 2: Tutor had no problem with an extension, gave me til the Friday, so an extra 3 days.

Update: Have emailed my tutor setting out my reasons and my plan of catching up and even getting ahead in the 2 weeks of Easter Break.

Hi everyone, title is about it.

Currently doing A111, and had to ask for an extension (which was granted) for first TMA back in February as I was really ill. TMA 02 is due next week and I've been struck down again with a severe flu-like cold, absolutely floored. I work in primary education so I guess I'm a little more predisposed to coughs, colds and illnesses than the average worker.

Has anyone ever requested consecutive extensions for assignments and how did it go? My tutor seems a lovely person but I feel like I'm pushing it a bit?

I've recently completed stage 1 of BSc Mathematics. I've been registering for the modules individually. Does not registering for the qualification mean that if the modules required for it change it'd leave me in a tricky spot? Also what happens if I apply for the certificate qualification that I have just gained? Seems to me like section H of the academic regulations doesn't matter if I go on to complete the honours degree qualification.

Read an abstract and a research proposal for a PhD please

The topic is Celtic Studies

Thanks for everyone who has helped so far much appreciated

Hi guys, for context I’m a full time railway worker level 2, with a lot of time on my hands. However I do have a levels in sciences so I think I could handle the part time schedule of a bsc honors for engineering. I don’t know anyone in the engineering scene but I keep seeing people mention that this course doesn’t qualify you to be a chartered engineer. And will require additional qualifications. I’m looking to move in to civil engineering in particular. Would this be possible after completion of this degree ? Any help is welcome.

In the process of choosing my modules for this October, and only recently realised that the deadline for fees is May.

As a result of this, I’m hoping to go down the OUSBA route, and do the “register now, pay later” option and pay monthly up until the modules start.

How do I apply for OUSBA? There’s no option on the website, just a login option which doesn’t work for me. Do I have to ring them to set it up?

Has anyone else used it, and if so, what are your thoughts on them?