Finishing this damn degree -best way ahead?
Discussion
I'll put my hands up and admit I've stuffed up my degree in a rather special way.
In my third year I had a really rough year and ended up failing just about everything (bar 2 exams) despite repeatedly contacting the department and begging for help. They are just not interested (or don't know how to be of any help, one or the other)
I can resit the year as an external candidate, but even if I pass everything with 100%, I can only get a pass degree. This really grates as I did extremely well in my first year, a little less well in the second year (thats when things started going wrong) and then it all went to the proverbials.
What I've thought of doing is transferring all the credits to the Open University (I have asked about OU on here before and its been highly thought of) and finishing it that way (still engineering) so I can get a better degree.
As an aside, the University regulations state I have 2 years to finish my degree from the point of when I should have finished, and I wanted to take a few exams at each sitting (there is no way I'd be able to sit the whole lot in one go) until I had done enough - but I was told I was being lazy and they wouldn't allow it (I don't do well in exams, and since going to that establishment I've started having ridiculous panic attacks in every exam along with not being able to learn anything at all. Coupled with working a full time job and studying for professional exams, it aint looking rosy) So as you can imagine, a happy little camper.
So, the question is...Would a prospective employer be happier with a pass from a red brick Uni, or a better class (2:1, first) from the OU? I just want to get the best I possibly can from this "experience" and have a fresh start.
Thanks
In my third year I had a really rough year and ended up failing just about everything (bar 2 exams) despite repeatedly contacting the department and begging for help. They are just not interested (or don't know how to be of any help, one or the other)
I can resit the year as an external candidate, but even if I pass everything with 100%, I can only get a pass degree. This really grates as I did extremely well in my first year, a little less well in the second year (thats when things started going wrong) and then it all went to the proverbials.
What I've thought of doing is transferring all the credits to the Open University (I have asked about OU on here before and its been highly thought of) and finishing it that way (still engineering) so I can get a better degree.
As an aside, the University regulations state I have 2 years to finish my degree from the point of when I should have finished, and I wanted to take a few exams at each sitting (there is no way I'd be able to sit the whole lot in one go) until I had done enough - but I was told I was being lazy and they wouldn't allow it (I don't do well in exams, and since going to that establishment I've started having ridiculous panic attacks in every exam along with not being able to learn anything at all. Coupled with working a full time job and studying for professional exams, it aint looking rosy) So as you can imagine, a happy little camper.
So, the question is...Would a prospective employer be happier with a pass from a red brick Uni, or a better class (2:1, first) from the OU? I just want to get the best I possibly can from this "experience" and have a fresh start.
Thanks
princeperch said:
is it really worth getting a pass degree??
Dunno. It still represents a hell of a lot of effort. But most employers would consider that even the Sportsmen should be getting a "Solid Second" or a "Gentleman's Degree" 2:2 
An OU degree represents a vast commitment. Takes seven years, AT LEAST, to get one from scratch. All whilst working full time...
OP: Even with the OU you will need to do exams. If you have a phobia of the damn things you need to deal with that first. I believe there are courses on exam technique (Google is your friend) you could go on and also perhaps you could see a professional about your panic? See if you can't get to the bottom of it, deal with it and eliminate it as a problem?
All the best and good luck.
I think it depends on what the degree is in.
All the graduates we employ are from 'red brick' universities to my knowledge.
Have you thought about trying for a job and then finishing your degree on day release?
No idea if you can take your 1st 2 years into consideration and then complete your 3rd year part time.
It would take the pressure off somewhat. Also don't worry too much about getting your professional qualifications as early as possible. You need to settle in your job and get some projects under your belt first.
I'm sure you've told me before, but what degree are you doing?
All the graduates we employ are from 'red brick' universities to my knowledge.
Have you thought about trying for a job and then finishing your degree on day release?
No idea if you can take your 1st 2 years into consideration and then complete your 3rd year part time.
It would take the pressure off somewhat. Also don't worry too much about getting your professional qualifications as early as possible. You need to settle in your job and get some projects under your belt first.
I'm sure you've told me before, but what degree are you doing?
littlegreenfairy said:
princeperch said:
is it really worth getting a pass degree??
Well, should I be allowed to take my exams for the "first" time (as in not capping it all at a pass no matter what) I would be expecting to get a 2:2 at the very least, probably a 2:1. 
It hasn't been a problem for me, but it depends what sort of job you want to go into in the future - it won't get you into many (or perhaps, any) graduate jobs.
I think your degree is pretty much irrelevant once you've been working for a year or so anyway. Your attitude to work is more important.
Edited by ad551 on Monday 17th November 10:36
I employ Engineering Graduates from time to time, and have employed both Pass degree holders, and OU graduates in the past.
I will echo what was said earlier; OU degrees still have lengthy exams at the end, what makes you think that you will fare any better there?
I would crack on and try and get that Pass degree, which is much better then just bailing out. If you then feel the urge, do a higher degree at OU.
And, at the risk of sounding like yer mum, nearly 6K posts in three years?
I will echo what was said earlier; OU degrees still have lengthy exams at the end, what makes you think that you will fare any better there?
I would crack on and try and get that Pass degree, which is much better then just bailing out. If you then feel the urge, do a higher degree at OU.
And, at the risk of sounding like yer mum, nearly 6K posts in three years?
LGF - I think we've talked before as I'm in a very similar situation.
I was unsure about coming back for final year. One of the options available was to take a Diploma based on my 1st and 2nd years. I chose to come back and I'm gonna have to work my ass off to get a 2:1 as I've got outstanding credits.
The important thing is to find someone, somewhere in the university (Support staff, Union, academic,) who you can talk it through with. I did, eventually, and she has been an absolute Godsend.
I was unsure about coming back for final year. One of the options available was to take a Diploma based on my 1st and 2nd years. I chose to come back and I'm gonna have to work my ass off to get a 2:1 as I've got outstanding credits.
The important thing is to find someone, somewhere in the university (Support staff, Union, academic,) who you can talk it through with. I did, eventually, and she has been an absolute Godsend.
LGF I get a sense of déjà vu about this thread.
I'm trying to tread lightly here but perhaps it's you rather than the qualification? You've tried several career paths now IRRC and talked about trying a few more. You seem like bright enough (for a giiiiiirl
) so why don't you finish this before you start something else?
I'm trying to tread lightly here but perhaps it's you rather than the qualification? You've tried several career paths now IRRC and talked about trying a few more. You seem like bright enough (for a giiiiiirl
) so why don't you finish this before you start something else?I am working at the moment - I've shifted to finance and loving my job. The exams I'm sitting for finance are in December and I am getting on a lot better with the work as its not in the University environment and I'm taking the exams in a different place (the local college as its the only place I can sit them)
So far, not having the degree hasn't stopped me -I'm on a decent wage doing a job with good prospects and giving me loads of excellent experience. I just feel that later in life, the lack of the degree might hold me back.
My degree is in Materials Engineering but I don't think I'll ever go into engineering (not in a pure sense at least) as finance is much more my cup of tea.
For the university route - I can only take the exams as an external candidate and the best that will happen is I get a pass next June. If a person fails their final year, the degree is capped at a pass even if you had firsts all the way through.
I realise OU is a hard route but was wondering if it was a good one. The last thing is taking all my third year exams in January - I can't take that time off work. As I've just started, and we're nearing the end of year I have no holiday - and because the course isn't related to my field of work, I can't take it unpaid. The other exams in December I can take leave for as they help the position I'm in.
And 6k posts in three years isn't that bad!
So far, not having the degree hasn't stopped me -I'm on a decent wage doing a job with good prospects and giving me loads of excellent experience. I just feel that later in life, the lack of the degree might hold me back.
My degree is in Materials Engineering but I don't think I'll ever go into engineering (not in a pure sense at least) as finance is much more my cup of tea.
For the university route - I can only take the exams as an external candidate and the best that will happen is I get a pass next June. If a person fails their final year, the degree is capped at a pass even if you had firsts all the way through.
I realise OU is a hard route but was wondering if it was a good one. The last thing is taking all my third year exams in January - I can't take that time off work. As I've just started, and we're nearing the end of year I have no holiday - and because the course isn't related to my field of work, I can't take it unpaid. The other exams in December I can take leave for as they help the position I'm in.
And 6k posts in three years isn't that bad!
speedy_thrills said:
LGF I get a sense of déjà vu about this thread.
I'm trying to tread lightly here but perhaps it's you rather than the qualification? You've tried several career paths now IRRC and talked about trying a few more. You seem like bright enough (for a giiiiiirl) so why don't you finish this before you start something else?
I have actually sat my third year and finished in June - I CANNOT go back as a full time student to do the year so have to take the exams externally. So the choice is to either do it through the Uni and get a pass, or transfer my credits and do it through the OU and get something better. I am going to finish this degree one way or another, but I wanted to know if for instance, an OU 1st would be regarded favourably compared to a Uni pass degree.I'm trying to tread lightly here but perhaps it's you rather than the qualification? You've tried several career paths now IRRC and talked about trying a few more. You seem like bright enough (for a giiiiiirl
) so why don't you finish this before you start something else?I'm an external examiner for the OU (amongst others) so not directly involved in the tuition or assessment, but...I have noticed that the OU's system of local tutors seems to provide far more in the way of personal support and feedback than most other establishments. From that perspective, I'd recommend it to someone who is fighting to complete a degree. It will take a lot of hard work on your part, but that will be reciprocated.
speedy_thrills said:
LGF I get a sense of déjà vu about this thread.
I'm trying to tread lightly here but perhaps it's you rather than the qualification? You've tried several career paths now IRRC and talked about trying a few more. You seem like bright enough (for a giiiiiirl) so why don't you finish this before you start something else?
I became an engineering student and realise I'd never be an engineer - thought about teaching and tried it out (one of these become a teacher for three weeks jobbies) but found out I really wasn't cut out for it. Had thought about finance before and decided to go for it - so have a job in finance and love it. Just wanted to know the best way to go about finishing the degree!I'm trying to tread lightly here but perhaps it's you rather than the qualification? You've tried several career paths now IRRC and talked about trying a few more. You seem like bright enough (for a giiiiiirl
) so why don't you finish this before you start something else?I would stick to finance as it sounds like you are enjoying it.
Why go through the lengthy OU route when you will not be using the degree at the end.
Concentrate on the finance, do a part time degree in that if you're still determined to do a degree.
I would just sack the Materials stuff, it just might not be your thing.
You're still young and time is on your side.
Why go through the lengthy OU route when you will not be using the degree at the end.
Concentrate on the finance, do a part time degree in that if you're still determined to do a degree.
I would just sack the Materials stuff, it just might not be your thing.
You're still young and time is on your side.
marshalla said:
I'm an external examiner for the OU (amongst others) so not directly involved in the tuition or assessment, but...I have noticed that the OU's system of local tutors seems to provide far more in the way of personal support and feedback than most other establishments. From that perspective, I'd recommend it to someone who is fighting to complete a degree. It will take a lot of hard work on your part, but that will be reciprocated.
Thanks - I don't have that many credits to go from the sounds of it (have emailled to ask for some clarification and how I'd go ahead) and fighting is something I've got quite good at. I just figured (in my own female mind) that a good degree through the OU would be better than a poor one from a good uni - just wanted to know what others thought.I've got some credits from my third year that I think will be more valuable than if I had none so it might be a good start. And doing it at my own pace I thought would be useful - if I've had a bad few months then thats ok, I just take the exams when I am ready. Swings and roundabouts I suppose.
littlegreenfairy said:
princeperch said:
is it really worth getting a pass degree??
Well, should I be allowed to take my exams for the "first" time (as in not capping it all at a pass no matter what) I would be expecting to get a 2:2 at the very least, probably a 2:1. Some years ago I was in the exact same situation as you. I did really well in my first year but suffered a serious illness in my 2nd year which stuffed things up from that point onwards.... plus I was crap at formal examinations (they are most definately not the best way to test understanding of a subject). I scrapped through with a pass degree.
Now, I knew I could do better than that and once I was well again I signed up for a 1 year Postgraduate Diploma and did well enough to upgrade to an MSc. I'm now writing up my PhD thesis. So... don't panic! There are always other avenues.
At the time the OU didn't occur to me as a possible route, besides I had so much to contend with at that time. The OU is held in just as higher regard as most other Uni's and might well be the best option for you. I know a few people who have OU degrees and I've only heard good things.
Find out exactly what is involved in transfering to the OU and weigh that up with the other options you have. If you go back to your Uni Dept having researched your possible options they might be more inclined to make the effort to help. But, I can tell you from experience (both personal and as someone who helps to teach Ug students) that some Departments simply don't know how to deal with certain situations, and as a result appear not to care. If this is the case with you there will be other people you can talk to such as a student counselling/welfare service.
Is it really worth getting a pass degree?? Well it's not the ideal situation, but.... I've done ok... and two others that I went to Uni with got passes (mainly due to lack of interest in the subject.. Physics..) and with out any other qualifications they are doing very well for themselves in industry. So... it can work out ok.
G
GreatGranny said:
I would stick to finance as it sounds like you are enjoying it.
Why go through the lengthy OU route when you will not be using the degree at the end.
Concentrate on the finance, do a part time degree in that if you're still determined to do a degree.
I would just sack the Materials stuff, it just might not be your thing.
You're still young and time is on your side.
Thing is - I've only got a few more credits to accrue. I feel that I've got this close I should find a way to finish it one way or another even if it takes a few years of bits of study here and there. Why go through the lengthy OU route when you will not be using the degree at the end.
Concentrate on the finance, do a part time degree in that if you're still determined to do a degree.
I would just sack the Materials stuff, it just might not be your thing.
You're still young and time is on your side.
I don't have to start the OU from scratch - they will take the majority of the course I already have done.
I just don't want to feel like I've failed by not finishing. I don't know which way to go to finish though. (And yes I hate the degree I did with a passion, but I'm the kind of person to finish just to make a point...even if it causes a load of hassle whilst doing it)
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