[John Bulleteer]

I'm considering doing an on line course in my spare time.

There are many course providers to choose from.

Some are Irish and offer FETAC qualifications.

However, I'm unsure about the qualifications on offer from the "Open University".

Anyone got any experience of doing these courses & more importantly, were the qualifications awarded, recognised in ireland afterwards

Thanks,

JB.

[Twinkle toes]

Any particular reason for picking The Open University?

[Darkcloud]

I'm working with OU on a European project at the moment....very very clever guys....OU don't just do distance education they do regular taught programs too (but only in the uK)
I'd say they are well regarded

[kevinb99]

OU qualifications are very well respected generally, but a lot of the courses require attendance to some degree. I've done a purely online course with Oxford Uni, and have just signed for another one. Whilst you can get CAT points for these courses you need to attend in person for a full qualification.
link

[Shinwacker]

John, the Ou is well respected here in Ireland, there is on Irish distance learning collage, just can't remember the name of it. the only thing about the Ou is the points received for courses don't count in Irish collages, so you wouldn't be able to build onto any other courses, if you get my meaning. try giving DCU a ring they will point you in the right direction.

Shins

[proinnsias]

OSCAIL is the DCU distance education college.

OU degrees are good, and mostly well respected - unless you've taken an inordinate amount of time to complete it. I've seen one guy who was halfway through an OU computers degree - 10 years later!!

P

[Darkcloud]

proinnsias, on 22 January 2012 - 11:49 PM, said:

I've seen one guy who was halfway through an OU computers degree - 10 years later!!

He was just keeping his skills relevant

[John Bulleteer]

Twinkle toes, on 22 January 2012 - 08:26 PM, said:

Any particular reason for picking The Open University?

I was searching for on line courses and OU had one I'd be interested in.
Also I remember seeing their TV adds when I was young.

Darkcloud, on 22 January 2012 - 09:24 PM, said:

I'm working with OU on a European project at the moment....very very clever guys....OU don't just do distance education they do regular taught programs too (but only in the uK)
I'd say they are well regarded

Thanks DC.

[John Bulleteer]

kevinb99, on 22 January 2012 - 10:20 PM, said:

OU qualifications are very well respected generally, but a lot of the courses require attendance to some degree. I've done a purely online course with Oxford Uni, and have just signed for another one. Whilst you can get CAT points for these courses you need to attend in person for a full qualification.
link

Dont think I'll get to attend.
Whats CAT points ?
Will have a look at Oxford anyway Tnx

Shinwacker, on 22 January 2012 - 11:20 PM, said:

John, the Ou is well respected here in Ireland, there is on Irish distance learning collage, just can't remember the name of it. the only thing about the Ou is the points received for courses don't count in Irish collages, so you wouldn't be able to build onto any other courses, if you get my meaning. try giving DCU a ring they will point you in the right direction.

Shins

Yea Shins, I had a look at a few others, they did FETAC level 6 courses but you can't build on em.

proinnsias, on 22 January 2012 - 11:49 PM, said:

OSCAIL is the DCU distance education college.

OU degrees are good, and mostly well respected - unless you've taken an inordinate amount of time to complete it. I've seen one guy who was halfway through an OU computers degree - 10 years later!!

P

Interestingly enough, their website says it takes 6 yrs to get an honours degree part time.
Thanks all for the info.
JB.

[kevinb99]

John Bulleteer, on 23 January 2012 - 11:49 PM, said:

Dont think I'll get to attend.
Whats CAT points ?
Will have a look at Oxford anyway Tnx


Yea Shins, I had a look at a few others, they did FETAC level 6 courses but you can't build on em.


Interestingly enough, their website says it takes 6 yrs to get an honours degree part time.
Thanks all for the info.
JB.

From Oxford website -

Undergraduate Certificates are part-time courses specifically designed for adult students who have little or no previous experience of the certificate subject. Weekday and occasional weekend teaching sessions are provided and university teaching staff by professionals. The syllabus and teaching of courses are aimed at first-year undergraduate level. Students are eligible for the award of 60 transferable credit (CATS) points on successful completion of a one-year module (FHEQ Level 4). An Undergraduate Certificate (120 CATS points) will be awarded to each student on completion of the two modules of the course within two years . Credit points may be transferred to the Open University, modular universities such as Oxford Brookes University, and other institutions of higher Education. No formal academic qualifications are required for entry, but offers of places will be based on evidence of motivation, an awareness of the time commitment and the suitability of the level of study.



link

[John Bulleteer]

I've found my course.

Recently I've done some first aid trauma training (TTLS), so I'm going to build on it by doing an EMT-B (Emergency Medical technician-Basic).

This course by PPA International involves 4 to 6 months of on line study, followed by a weeks practical training & exam.

This (American) qualification is recognised around the world and I think it will help make me more employable in the Shipping Industry where I am presently working.

My thinking is that this will be another skill that just might clinch a job over another consultant and it is more relevant to my work than a more acedemic course.

Start Date is June 4th,Happy Days.

Thanks for all the info.

JB.