Open university degree

**sasguru** · 17 July 2009, 13:23

Nah don't bother. Expertise in hard stuff isn't rewarded in this country anymore. Do a one-day soft-skills course in how to bulltulip. Much cheaper and a far better investment for the post-industrial future.

**Menelaus** · 17 July 2009, 13:29

Originally posted by Mehmeh View Post

Hey, slow friday here...so ideas are flying

I left school at 16, so no A-levels or degree...but have 9 years coding experience now...and getting a good rate.

Have been looking through the Open uni prospectus, not really sure what to do...thinking about Maths or biology... Dont see the point in doing computing (I know it all already innit).

Anyone have any experience?
What is the general opinion on Open uni degrees?

Was thinking a maths or a statistics degree could help get me some finance contracts, although this isn't the reason for doing it.

Thanking yous

Whilst the people here on this site would typically extract the urine from someone who's interested in self-improvement I'm not going to. You, sir, have my admiration for even considering this.

I've worked with a couple of guys who were doing OU degrees at the same time as working full-time and I've nothing but admiration for the amount of work necessary to achieve this.

That some employers consider a red-brick (like mine) to be of more value than someone with the university-of-life plus an OU degree (whether than be a first or post-grad) seems to be academic snobbery of the worst possible kind.

/rant

**Zippy** · 17 July 2009, 13:36

Originally posted by Mehmeh View Post

Hey, slow friday here...so ideas are flying

I left school at 16, so no A-levels or degree...but have 9 years coding experience now...and getting a good rate.

Have been looking through the Open uni prospectus, not really sure what to do...thinking about Maths or biology... Dont see the point in doing computing (I know it all already innit).

Anyone have any experience?
What is the general opinion on Open uni degrees?

Was thinking a maths or a statistics degree could help get me some finance contracts, although this isn't the reason for doing it.

Thanking yous

I didn't do the OU but did study computing part time because I was interested in all the stuff I didn't know. Amazingly, there was rather a lot I didn't know.

I'd find something you are likely to be really interested in - it doesn't half help when you are writing stupid essays at 2am. And you have to get up for work the next day.

**NotAllThere** · 17 July 2009, 13:37

I have a computer science degree. It's mostly stuff that you'll never (or very seldom) encounter in the commercial world. So I wouldn't throw the idea out straight off.

In fact most "proper" degrees have little to do with the real world. The enhancment in your career prospects it simply the having a degree, and showing that you could get one. Unless you're an engineer, I guess.

**OwlHoot** · 17 July 2009, 13:38

Originally posted by Mehmeh View Post

Hey, slow friday here...so ideas are flying

I left school at 16, so no A-levels or degree...but have 9 years coding experience now...and getting a good rate.

Have been looking through the Open uni prospectus, not really sure what to do...thinking about Maths or biology... Dont see the point in doing computing (I know it all already innit).

Nah, definitely not computing - You'll just sully your practical experience with a lot of academic mumbo jumbo.

But maths is well worth doing for its own sake, and (in some circs) is a big help with computing.

**DimPrawn** · 17 July 2009, 13:39

Can you do an OU law degree or medical degree?

Law and medicine is recession proof.

**RichardCranium** · 17 July 2009, 13:41

Originally posted by DimPrawn View Post

Law ... is recession proof.

... provided you go to India and work from there.

**Menelaus** · 17 July 2009, 13:41

Originally posted by DimPrawn View Post

Can you do an OU law degree or medical degree?

Law and medicine is recession proof.

Law = I believe so

**alreadypacked** · 17 July 2009, 13:54

Originally posted by NotAllThere View Post

I have a computer science degree. It's mostly stuff that you'll never (or very seldom) encounter in the commercial world. So I wouldn't throw the idea out straight off.

In fact most "proper" degrees have little to do with the real world. The enhancment in your career prospects it simply the having a degree, and showing that you could get one. Unless you're an engineer, I guess.

I disagree, I think a degree teaches you how to think about the subject, research etc. I would not be able to do my current role without one.

There are people who don't need degrees, but they are very smart and these thing come naturally to them. I am not one of them. I needed the six year at uni and I still can't spell, but at least I can read now.

Open university degree