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  1. #1
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    Default Open University Open Degree

    So I have an HND in Mechanical Engineering I finished at college almost 10 years ago now. I wanted to get my Honours Degree in Engineering so I applied to the OU and was told by them because my qualification is over 5 years old I wouldn't be able to use it towards the Honours degree however I may still be eligible for their Open Degree....

    Thing is are these Open Degrees looked down upon as essentially its a custom made degree tailored to you.... To me it seems like a jack of all trades degree.

    Don't want to invest all that money and it having little to no effect on my CV.... Anyone on here got one who can share their experiences?

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  2. #2
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    Default Re: Open University Open Degree

    I've just had a half hour read up on the different awards.

    For starters I think their reason for pushing you towards the open degree is a load of rubbish. I'd push for access to the BEng(Hons) because the level of the award you've already got plus experience through working should be sufficient. They're probably concerned about you being out of the education loop for a while so I'd ask if there's any module you can take to enable access to the Hons degree.

    Maths is the real acid test for mechanical engineering (probably other engineering awards too, my experience is in mechanical engineering). When I started my undergraduate degree, part time, there was a fella who just couldn't get his head around the maths and quit after a month. I'd strongly recommend looking for a book on engineering mathematics by Stroud.

    The BEng(Hons) at the OU is accredited by engineering institutions for the educational requirements in UK-Spec for an Incorporated Engineer. Getting registered is becoming important and if you look at job advertisements they will often say something like "is registered or is working towards".

    This brings me on to the next bit of advice. If you can find a way to gain access to the BEng(Hons) then you'd be better off going balls out for the MEng(Hons) award because that is also accredited but as satisfactory for the educational element in UK-SPEC for a Chartered Engineer. You'll be starting at the same level and most likely with the same modules to do. You'll study more modules but still only the equivalent of one final year project - I note that this appears to be satisfied by a few stages of residential studying. I wish I'd have gone for MEng(Hons) if I'd known it was available because I had to do a post-graduate award to then satisfy the educational requirements for CEng. You're going to want CEng or minimum IEng to stand out and it shows commitment to the engineering profession. Take it from a CEng it does carry weight.

    I think the open degree is just a bit wooly with no specialism indicated. An all-rounder. You could end up studying many of the modules that are in the accredited award. Maybe you can start on this and then switch to BEng(Hons) or MEng(Hons). However, in this day and age I wouldn't want to commit to the open degree award in itself knowing that its outcome is just that; open.
    No sympathy for the devil; keep that in mind. Buy the ticket, take the ride...

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    I Black Belt (14th May 2018),  Over Carl (16th May 2018)  


  3. #3
    DF Super Moderator piggzy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Open University Open Degree

    I did proper degrees with them when my qualifications were over 5 years. Sounds like BS to me.

    Thanks to piggzy

    Over Carl (16th May 2018)  


  4. #4
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    Default Re: Open University Open Degree

    Yeah some qualifications are eligible for over 5 years others aren't apparently

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    piggzy (13th May 2018)  


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    Default Re: Open University Open Degree

    It's worth investigating further. It's a lot of time and £17.5k to £23.5k outlay depending on what you want to do or are able to do. Depends on where you want to be when you finish. The open degree has the same cats points, that's the indication of the work involved. They're equivalent according to the Bologna Process. Would you be content to do any degree just to say you have one? The specialism is not going to be there.
    No sympathy for the devil; keep that in mind. Buy the ticket, take the ride...

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    CallmeGoose (15th May 2018),  Over Carl (16th May 2018)  


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    Default Re: Open University Open Degree

    Let me know if any of this is helping as I'm not really getting any feedback. This is something I can give genuine advice about.

    I see that on their Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) page the OU have a tab "Am I Ready?" with a diagnostic quiz. Have you tried this?

    The is an access module listed but in my opinion it's not relevant or necessary. It would get you back into report writing etc. that's probably why it's offered.

    The Credit Transfer section says that some qualifications can only count as APL (accreditation for prior learning) up to five years old. Are you sure that you've not been wrongly advised about access and were instead advised about APL?
    No sympathy for the devil; keep that in mind. Buy the ticket, take the ride...

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    CallmeGoose (15th May 2018),  Over Carl (16th May 2018)  


  7. #7
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    Default Re: Open University Open Degree

    Hi mate sorry I just seen the replies. Well I've sent an email to the OU asking them to appeal their decision. Just waiting to hear back.

    I've also submitted an application to see how eligible I am for an open degree if the above fails.

    I don't understand their reasoning for denying me access to the Honours Engineering degree..... Afterall I've been working in the industry since qualified and have a wealth of experience.

    As soon as I hear back from them I'll keep you posted. Sorry wasnt being ignorant just didn't see the posts and been a busy last couple of days. Your advice is much appreciated

    Goose

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    beansontoast (15th May 2018)  


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