tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012404995625673044.post1087020499245853476..comments2023-10-06T10:34:54.512+01:00Comments on Imogen Clark at Home: A UNIVERSITY EDUCATIONImogenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300457630728005234noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012404995625673044.post-38744366783297798822011-05-08T19:18:24.850+01:002011-05-08T19:18:24.850+01:00Couldn't have said it better myself! As a sin...Couldn't have said it better myself! As a single mum I simply could not have afforded to go to uni... instead I work part time, gaining experience in my chosen field. Now I have a new partner, and a new baby on the way and yet I still manage to work and study. it is not only the financial implications that affected my decision, but the flexability; I have decided to take a break until January so hopefully the new bubba will be all settled, and yet I can do any number of free courses through OpenLearn to keep my mind active, and I am sure will look great on my CV!Jacqui Rolfenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012404995625673044.post-67536797293218896432011-05-08T18:47:44.230+01:002011-05-08T18:47:44.230+01:00Nice and interesting read. The OU is simply awesom...Nice and interesting read. The OU is simply awesome. The content is as challenging as brick unis, they all explore the same ideas and texts, and brick uni lecturers ARE the majority of OU tutors. <br /><br />There is still some stigma surrounding OU qualifications, but this is only by ignorant employers. I would argue that the majority now class the OU in line with normal brick unis, and some even prefer OU graduates as they usually have far more work experience and have shown great time-keeping by working and studying simultaneously. <br /><br />As for economics, why get upwards of £27,000 debt JUST for fees, let alone the cost of accommodation for 3 years? Why not work and study part-time, or even full-time and earn enough to pay for all your 5-6 year tuition in just 1 year? No debt, no hassle, and varied and interesting life of both work experience and study.Noah Wabynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9012404995625673044.post-75445938341057442822011-05-08T15:30:08.145+01:002011-05-08T15:30:08.145+01:00Absolutely. From a purely selfish point of view, I...Absolutely. From a purely selfish point of view, I've been thinking of doing a degree in art history for the fun of it once I'm retired, and have recently realised that doing this at eg Leeds or Manchester will probably be out of the question as it will simply cost too much - and that's before I know whether I'll get the pension I've been counting on - and contributing to - for more than 30 years. I've concluded that the OU will probably be the only way to do it. The vicious circle of this for universities is obvious, as they presumably depend on some people like me as customers. <br /><br />My children have just got their first degrees or are on the way to getting them, before the fees get hugely jacked up. Even so they have big debts, and that's with us helping them as much as we can, and with them earning what they can during the courses too. And are people aware that while you don't pay back loans until your income is a certain level, the loan keeps rising as interest is added? Economically this whole system doesn't add up. We'll see meltdown soon in one way or another.Ros Beesonnoreply@blogger.com