Ordinary Degree vs Honours Degree
Discussion
I've been studying with the OU for a while, achieved a Diploma in Systems Practice last year, and I've just found out that with all my previous study, as long as I pass the current course (which I think I will) I will have achieved enough "credit" to graduate with an ordinary degree. This will be my first degree at the age of 43, as I didn't go to Uni and instead started work at 18 and did my ONC and HNC on part time day release.
I have a choice whether to keep on for a couple of years to complete enough credit for an honours degree. The best I can hope for is probably a Desmond or a third class hoonours, given my past scores.
So, given that I already have 25 years work experience behind me, professional qualifications from ISEB (Enterprise Architecture) and ITIL foundations, and by the end of the year will have TOGAF certification, is the difference between an honours and an ordinary degree worth the extra effort?
Actually, writing this out has crystallised my thoughts and I think I know the answer ... be interested to know any other opinions?
I have a choice whether to keep on for a couple of years to complete enough credit for an honours degree. The best I can hope for is probably a Desmond or a third class hoonours, given my past scores.
So, given that I already have 25 years work experience behind me, professional qualifications from ISEB (Enterprise Architecture) and ITIL foundations, and by the end of the year will have TOGAF certification, is the difference between an honours and an ordinary degree worth the extra effort?
Actually, writing this out has crystallised my thoughts and I think I know the answer ... be interested to know any other opinions?
Given your professional qualifications and your 25 years experience I'd say that there's little point in pushing to get an honours degree. Rather than worrying about whether it's honours or not, when you need to you can use it as an opportunity to emphasise your commitment to learning, personal development and as it was via the OU it really does highlight self-discipline and motivation.
Depending upon which direction you want to go, you might be better off considering one of the next steps in ITIL or a PM qualification, or going the other way to a specific technology qualification.
Well done, anyway. Hope you get a good result.
Depending upon which direction you want to go, you might be better off considering one of the next steps in ITIL or a PM qualification, or going the other way to a specific technology qualification.
Well done, anyway. Hope you get a good result.
It often depends upon your own personal pride/ambition and whether you're aiming to use the degree to become more competitive in the job market. If either of those fit, then striving for an honours degree would be a natural thing to do, as would continuing to a Masters. If it's about some knowledge acquisition or self-improvement only, then it's less important. As you inferred, I think you know the answer to your question already. Good luck!
You're in a different circumstance to the people you normally come across with 'ordinary degrees'. Some institutions offer ordinary degrees from the get go whilst it’s usually those who just got a mark slightly above a fail that get ordinary degrees. Your circumstance isn’t through lack of work ethic/application so wouldn’t be viewed negatively IMO.
No one (professionally since starting my job) ever asks what I got classification wise although the usual minimum standard is at least a 2:2 or 2:1 in my field. I would expect it comes up when applying for a new role. Basically goes Ordinary, Third, 2:2, 2:1, First Class.
I know a few people who later in life have completed degrees mainly due to being interested in the field of study plus you can then go on to be professionally recognised via chartership etc.
Personal choice at the end of the day.
No one (professionally since starting my job) ever asks what I got classification wise although the usual minimum standard is at least a 2:2 or 2:1 in my field. I would expect it comes up when applying for a new role. Basically goes Ordinary, Third, 2:2, 2:1, First Class.
I know a few people who later in life have completed degrees mainly due to being interested in the field of study plus you can then go on to be professionally recognised via chartership etc.
Personal choice at the end of the day.
Worth a punt at leapfrogging - if you want to reach a higher level, look at a Masters.
You may need to talk your way on to a course but, with an ordinary degree plus experience, if you're serious about it, you should to be up to it.
Find what's on offer p/t at local universities and go and have a chat with someone face to face. If they like the look of you, they'll be very supportive - they get extra brownie points for taking on wrinklies and local people...
You may need to talk your way on to a course but, with an ordinary degree plus experience, if you're serious about it, you should to be up to it.
Find what's on offer p/t at local universities and go and have a chat with someone face to face. If they like the look of you, they'll be very supportive - they get extra brownie points for taking on wrinklies and local people...
I'm in a similar position, I went the apprenticeship route at the grand age of 15 & 3/4. I completed my BEng hons last month at the age of 40. I wanted the hons as the modules seemed the most interesting of the course also I'd like to carry on to MEng and one day CEng. I will say in my experience the hons modules were the toughest by some margin and by 1/3 of the way through them I was absolutely scunnered. Having said that I'm glad I did it and if it turns out that I don't take it any further then I can live with that.
However my manager has a HNC and the lack of a degree hasn't caused him any bother so I suppose the question is; will you be able to make any progress with the hons over that which can be made without? The answer to that one is down to you as in my experience the hons won't open anymore doors at our stage. In my opinion it's more likely the additional knowledge gained in the hons will be more valuable than the certificate
However my manager has a HNC and the lack of a degree hasn't caused him any bother so I suppose the question is; will you be able to make any progress with the hons over that which can be made without? The answer to that one is down to you as in my experience the hons won't open anymore doors at our stage. In my opinion it's more likely the additional knowledge gained in the hons will be more valuable than the certificate
Mr Snap said:
Worth a punt at leapfrogging - if you want to reach a higher level, look at a Masters.
You may need to talk your way on to a course but, with an ordinary degree plus experience, if you're serious about it, you should to be up to it.
I had people on a Masters course who didn't have a degree of any description, HND's I think. If you can prove you have gained knowlege from working in industry etc tehy also take that into account. You may need to talk your way on to a course but, with an ordinary degree plus experience, if you're serious about it, you should to be up to it.
Personally i'd stick with the normal degree you have experience have shown that your clever enough to study at degree level, motivated enough to do it whilst working and pay for it yourself all this against an oik straight from Uni with a "better" degree i'd say you would be in with a shout in a head to head for a job.
How much is it going to cost for the honours bit?
As said you can always top up or go for a Masters at a later date.
How much is it going to cost for the honours bit?
As said you can always top up or go for a Masters at a later date.
Thanks for all the replies - except Mr. Snap for calling me a wrinkly!
As I was writing the OP it sort of crystallised my thoughts, I had never really done the OU study as a career thing, it was for me (in fact, I did a couple of courses in the early days that I didn't even sit the exams for, and never intended to - such as Geology, which was lots of fun to study).
So, the study, and the degree qualification, is for me - not for any career benefit (perceived or actual) and my career has been succesful enough without a degree anyway. This fact could make it easy for me to stop now, but I know that I would always have a feeling of "unfinished business" about it, and the fact that I am enjoying the modules means I'm happy to continue.
The only drawback I could see is that I am still not a graduate if I was to apply for a job that demanded graduate level (rare in my area of work, but still occasionally asked for). If that was the case I would have to word my application carefully - my diploma in systems practice is offically described as a graduate diploma, so I can word something around that anyway.
As for a masters - that's another subject entirely. As I'm an existing OU student, my course fees are "pre price rise" until 2017, for my current study qualification only. If I was to do a masters with the OU after that, I would have to pay the full price, so wouldn't be something I could afford unless I was sponsored. Something to talk to my employer about when the time comes, perhaps.
As I was writing the OP it sort of crystallised my thoughts, I had never really done the OU study as a career thing, it was for me (in fact, I did a couple of courses in the early days that I didn't even sit the exams for, and never intended to - such as Geology, which was lots of fun to study).
So, the study, and the degree qualification, is for me - not for any career benefit (perceived or actual) and my career has been succesful enough without a degree anyway. This fact could make it easy for me to stop now, but I know that I would always have a feeling of "unfinished business" about it, and the fact that I am enjoying the modules means I'm happy to continue.
The only drawback I could see is that I am still not a graduate if I was to apply for a job that demanded graduate level (rare in my area of work, but still occasionally asked for). If that was the case I would have to word my application carefully - my diploma in systems practice is offically described as a graduate diploma, so I can word something around that anyway.
As for a masters - that's another subject entirely. As I'm an existing OU student, my course fees are "pre price rise" until 2017, for my current study qualification only. If I was to do a masters with the OU after that, I would have to pay the full price, so wouldn't be something I could afford unless I was sponsored. Something to talk to my employer about when the time comes, perhaps.
I don't think post grad modules have increased in price along with the undergraduate ones as they are funded differently, but they were more expensive anyway.
If you have completed 300 points, it's only another 60 to get an honours degree. That's one or two more modules depending which you choose. As you are on the transitional fees, it's the ideal opportunity to do it since it would cost you a lot more if you decided you wanted to do it later. Personally, I think I'd regret it if I didn't take the chance while it's there unless there was a good reason not to (finances or family commitments etc).
If you have completed 300 points, it's only another 60 to get an honours degree. That's one or two more modules depending which you choose. As you are on the transitional fees, it's the ideal opportunity to do it since it would cost you a lot more if you decided you wanted to do it later. Personally, I think I'd regret it if I didn't take the chance while it's there unless there was a good reason not to (finances or family commitments etc).
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