Open University

[DaveB]

Seems there are a few of us here doing OU courses at the moment.

I'm in the first year of a Law degree as part of the grand plan to get out of IT.

Whats everyone else up to and how are you finding it so far?

[mudskipper]

I've done a few courses. Did a postgrad Project Management years ago (1995) then nothing for years. Then over a few summers did three of the 10 point short courses (Creative Writing, Leonardo Da Vinci and Shakespeare), and decided it was time to commit. First full length course was AA100 - The Arts past and present last year along with the Art History summer school, and currently doing A207 - 'From Enlightenment to Romanticism' which I'm enjoying, but is a lot more work than the level 1 course. It's art history I'm enjoying most, so the level 2 art history course is next on my list, then the two level 3 art history courses to finish off if I ever get that far.

Doing it for interest - completely neglected the humanities subjects at school, but have been pleasantly surprised in that the skills of analysis carry over well. It would be nice to get a degree out the end of it (I never did one first time round), but that will be an added bonus and I'm only doing it as long as I enjoy it.

[Jeebo72]

Seems there are a few of us here doing OU courses at the moment.

I'm in the first year of a Law degree as part of the grand plan to get out of IT.

Whats everyone else up to and how are you finding it so far?

Out of interest, what age are you?

I'll be out of IT and retired by 45, so no plans to retrain!!!

[the_duderama]

Seems there are a few of us here doing OU courses at the moment.

I'm in the first year of a Law degree as part of the grand plan to get out of IT.

Whats everyone else up to and how are you finding it so far?

I was thinking about doing a Computing Science and Mathmatics degree through them (started one when i left school but i dropped out due to having too much of a good time and not turning up). With a veiw to doing a masters and maybes teaching when I'm older and sick of IT.

Was interested in how much of an impact it has on your life, is it like a couple of hours a during the working week then 8-10 at the weekend, assuming you're going to complete the degree within 4 to 5 years?

[darmstadt]

Advanced Pot Noodling: http://5z8.info/yourdick_e0n6z_back-to-africa

[DaveB]

Out of interest, what age are you?

I'll be out of IT and retired by 45, so no plans to retrain!!!

41 and not retiring just yet

I was thinking about doing a Computing Science and Mathmatics degree through them (started one when i left school but i dropped out due to having too much of a good time and not turning up). With a veiw to doing a masters and maybes teaching when I'm older and sick of IT.

Was interested in how much of an impact it has on your life, is it like a couple of hours a during the working week then 8-10 at the weekend, assuming you're going to complete the degree within 4 to 5 years?

For the basic intro courses you are looking at 5-6 hours a week, for the Degree level stuff 16-20 depending on the course and how much effort you put in. The Law course I am on atm ( W100 Rules Rights and Justice ) recommends 16 hours a week but I'm getting away with a lot less than that so far. I expect it to ramp up as the course goes on.

[ookook]

What are you planning to do with a Law degree? I've got one, and all it means is that you have to complete a year of the Legal Practice Course which costs around 5K - then IF your lucky enough to secure a training contract with a Law firm - another 2 years on terrible money and a lot of slog before you qualify.

[the_duderama]

For the basic intro courses you are looking at 5-6 hours a week, for the Degree level stuff 16-20 depending on the course and how much effort you put in. The Law course I am on atm ( W100 Rules Rights and Justice ) recommends 16 hours a week but I'm getting away with a lot less than that so far. I expect it to ramp up as the course goes on.

Cool - thanks, sounds pretty doable! I'm doing a similair amount of work at the moment with certifications, at least the degree will still be usefull 5 years later!

[Jeebo72]

41 and not retiring just yet

.

I wonder how ageist your new profession will be. I doubt you'd have a major IT carreer if you went to uni age 41, grad 45, and was a newbie at 46/47? At 37 I'm now forced into more senior roles, even though I'd still prefer to p*ss about! (er more than I do).

Perhaps law is different, and age envokes wisdom etc???

[cailin maith]

What are you planning to do with a Law degree? I've got one, and all it means is that you have to complete a year of the Legal Practice Course which costs around 5K - then IF your lucky enough to secure a training contract with a Law firm - another 2 years on terrible money and a lot of slog before you qualify.

I kinda agree - whats the point starting at the bottom someplace else?

Is it called a conversion course or something? the bit you do after your degree before you go into practice?