Open university
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quackerz
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The open college art is good, a quite a few forum members have done it.
You can get a degree at the end.
http://www.oca-uk.com/distance-learning/photography
You can get a degree at the end.
http://www.oca-uk.com/distance-learning/photography
I did a degree with the OU, quite life changing. My biggest piece of advice would be to study what you enjoy learning about. Depending on how much you take on I think a full credit course is around 12-14 hrs a week Feb-Oct. A time comittment not to be sneezed at!
I really loved it and learned so much and met intelligent totty as well
I really loved it and learned so much and met intelligent totty as well
bensambrook
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My other half is currently studying History with the OU and is thoroughly enjoying it. She's working really hard, self directed and getting great results.
zeitghost
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I did a degree with the OU last year in Maths (did it in 3 years instead of the recommended 6 - I wouldnt recommend doing it in 3 though as last year was a nightmare and I never wished to discuss chaos theory again). My original degree was in Paelaeontology so it was a little different but doing a degree initially in something else helped me to do the Maths one so fast - you get used to how to write information out and the level of detail needed.
It is enjoyable but as you are going to put so much time into it definately do something you really enjoy learning about - otherwise you may feel like throwing books, computers, the cat out of the window on occassions.
It also works out cheaper to do the OU stuff than going away to Uni and you can use their tutors as little or as much as you need (I've never met any of my tutors or spoken to them and didnt do the group sessions stuff which worked really well for me but a lot of people enjoy a more integrated approach with meeting their fellow students etc).
It is enjoyable but as you are going to put so much time into it definately do something you really enjoy learning about - otherwise you may feel like throwing books, computers, the cat out of the window on occassions.
It also works out cheaper to do the OU stuff than going away to Uni and you can use their tutors as little or as much as you need (I've never met any of my tutors or spoken to them and didnt do the group sessions stuff which worked really well for me but a lot of people enjoy a more integrated approach with meeting their fellow students etc).
Byker28i
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OCA thread is here: http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=284247
There's a few of us started this year.
Blue Squizz
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I am just about to start the OU photography course - taking & sharing better images. its 10 weeks long and starts 1st Oct.
i read loads of reviews and half hate it & half love it. It's aimed at real beginners & covers photoshop too so for me seems ideal.
It costs about £200 - but I also read something about tescos vouchers being valid for it. i had the course paid for as a birthday present so didnt explore the tesco route.
Might be worth exploring.
Jason
i read loads of reviews and half hate it & half love it. It's aimed at real beginners & covers photoshop too so for me seems ideal.
It costs about £200 - but I also read something about tescos vouchers being valid for it. i had the course paid for as a birthday present so didnt explore the tesco route.
Might be worth exploring.
Jason
Well, I have been to a 'regular' University (Aeronautical Engineering at Southampton University, but did not complete the course), later got a 2.1 in Maths & Computing with the OU, and a few years back completed T189 (Digital photography: creating and sharing better images).
As a route to a degree I was very happy with the OU - the attitude of everyone involved seemed very positive, with an emphasis on rewarding you for demonstrating knowledge / understanding, rather than penalising omission.
As already mentioned, it is important you select courses that interest you, as motivation is important - there is an element of interaction with other students & tutors, but much of it is you sitting on your own at home studying - and if you are not motivated it would be easy to let things slip.
Regarding the photography course specifically - I took this to try and learn more and to improve my photography - which is what happened, but not as much as I would have liked. The reasons for that were a combination of the course design, my personal circumstances, and the British weather!
I took the autumn presentation of the course; my wife and I both work full time, and we have two young children - so mornings are fully occupied (I have to get up at 5.30 to walk the dog as it is!), and evenings are occupied until the children are asleep (8pm or so).
So during the week I could study later in the evenings - this was fine, but going out taking photographs meant finding a slot on the weekend - weather permitting!
I was able to get something every week, but continually felt I was having to rush to do so, when I would have liked to have been able to take my time and properly consider the shots I was taking.
Anyway, in the end I passed (final mark 76%, as I recall) but several of the shots in the 10 image final presentation (80% of total marks) were taken before I started the course!
Would I recommend it?
The answer is 'Yes, but...'
To get the most out of it you need to be a beginner, but to have had your camera for a couple of months at least, so you know the basic controls (EG How to select Aperture priority, and then adjust the aperture) - the course will teach you why you would want to use them.
You also need the time to go and try what you are learning. If you can get away for a 1/2 day every week this should be plenty, but the flexibility to look out of the window on Saturday morning, see the weathers nice and say "I'm just off to take some photos while its dry" makes things a lot easier.
As a route to a degree I was very happy with the OU - the attitude of everyone involved seemed very positive, with an emphasis on rewarding you for demonstrating knowledge / understanding, rather than penalising omission.
As already mentioned, it is important you select courses that interest you, as motivation is important - there is an element of interaction with other students & tutors, but much of it is you sitting on your own at home studying - and if you are not motivated it would be easy to let things slip.
Regarding the photography course specifically - I took this to try and learn more and to improve my photography - which is what happened, but not as much as I would have liked. The reasons for that were a combination of the course design, my personal circumstances, and the British weather!
I took the autumn presentation of the course; my wife and I both work full time, and we have two young children - so mornings are fully occupied (I have to get up at 5.30 to walk the dog as it is!), and evenings are occupied until the children are asleep (8pm or so).
So during the week I could study later in the evenings - this was fine, but going out taking photographs meant finding a slot on the weekend - weather permitting!
I was able to get something every week, but continually felt I was having to rush to do so, when I would have liked to have been able to take my time and properly consider the shots I was taking.
Anyway, in the end I passed (final mark 76%, as I recall) but several of the shots in the 10 image final presentation (80% of total marks) were taken before I started the course!
Would I recommend it?
The answer is 'Yes, but...'
To get the most out of it you need to be a beginner, but to have had your camera for a couple of months at least, so you know the basic controls (EG How to select Aperture priority, and then adjust the aperture) - the course will teach you why you would want to use them.
You also need the time to go and try what you are learning. If you can get away for a 1/2 day every week this should be plenty, but the flexibility to look out of the window on Saturday morning, see the weathers nice and say "I'm just off to take some photos while its dry" makes things a lot easier.
Cheers Guys,
This is exactly the type of feedback I was looking for. My question is, is the interaction with tutors any good? can you talk on the phone, or is it just by email? or is there any chance to actually speak to them face to face. I only ask as sometimes I feel that, in fact I know......that at some point I will hit something that I dont understand and that I cant read through an will need to be talked through (cause i am dumb like that sometimes).
I am looking at the OAP course but cant see the cost of it, and also as it is a Uni course do you need to have enough points from previous education etc to allow you onto this.
I hear what your saying faldrax, being in a relationship working full time and also having young children, time could cause an issue but depending on the flexibility of the course I would hope that this is something i can work around.
This is exactly the type of feedback I was looking for. My question is, is the interaction with tutors any good? can you talk on the phone, or is it just by email? or is there any chance to actually speak to them face to face. I only ask as sometimes I feel that, in fact I know......that at some point I will hit something that I dont understand and that I cant read through an will need to be talked through (cause i am dumb like that sometimes).
I am looking at the OAP course but cant see the cost of it, and also as it is a Uni course do you need to have enough points from previous education etc to allow you onto this.
I hear what your saying faldrax, being in a relationship working full time and also having young children, time could cause an issue but depending on the flexibility of the course I would hope that this is something i can work around.
Distance support is a big part of the OU. All the courses i did the tutors were at the end of a phone and had regular tutorials at a local centre. It depends which course you are on but some people welcome the support and others dip in and out. A lot of courses have a mandatory 'summer school', a week at a uni somewhere where you live, eat work and play.
Find out where your local OU study centre is and go and talk to students and tutors!
Dunc
Byker28i
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As mentioned above, time is the biggest enemy. I thought I could knock out the first OCA module in 6 months, but it's taken me a year because of finding the time to take the shots or do the work. Either work, family commitments or the weather/seasons got in the way.
Honestly ask yourself have you got 6-8 hours free a week?
Oh and falderax, you were lucky being able to use previous shots. All of mine have to be taken for that section, I was pulled up for using a stock photo of mine.
Honestly ask yourself have you got 6-8 hours free a week?
Oh and falderax, you were lucky being able to use previous shots. All of mine have to be taken for that section, I was pulled up for using a stock photo of mine.
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Whoops.....what did they say?
and I think genuinely I could find maybe an hour a day, but I am currently doing a creative suite course for the next 12 weeks 3 hours a week. So probably wouldnt be doing any open uni course before Xmas anyway
Byker28i
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Pointed out that whilst the photo fitted the technical requirement, the requirement of the course was to prove you were learning/following the course by taking fresh photos. Damn exif!
I have to submit prints and a write up to my tutor, plus blog everything in a learning blog.
I have to submit prints and a write up to my tutor, plus blog everything in a learning blog.
Blue Squizz
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I'm starting this 1st oct too. Thought I would give it a go but like u say for every one who likes it there is one person who hates it. Fingers crossed. Perhaps we should stat in touch and compare notes
Yes of course. I was hoping to find somebody else doing it. I've added you as a friend, hopefully we can discuss it along the way.
Jason.
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Blue Squizz
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When reading reviews of the OU photography course the main gripes people had were that there isnt a tutor during the course.
It's peer review (who are just as inexperienced as you are) and at the end of the course a portfolio is marked by a professional, but that is some time after the course has finished.
I was hoping to use this forum to get some guidance and advice along the way.
Jason
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When reading reviews of the OU photography course the main gripes people had were that there isnt a tutor during the course.
It's peer review (who are just as inexperienced as you are) and at the end of the course a portfolio is marked by a professional, but that is some time after the course has finished.
I was hoping to use this forum to get some guidance and advice along the way.
Jason
They have a private photo sharing forum, you get to post up to 10 images per week into a (random each week) group of 10 students. The idea is that you will comment and critique within the group, but you can also view (and C&C) any photos, so there is some additional comment from that.
The tutors DO look at the photo forums, and make occasional comments from what I recall, but it is mainly peer review.
The course costs are in the prospectus. T169 (Creating and Sharing Better Photographs) is £205.
C
Blue Squizz
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As mentioned before I noticed a lot of people (on this forum actually) posting about 3 years ago that with Tescos vouchers the OU course was costing them about £45.
Not sure if tescos vouchers are still valid for OU courses, but it's worth looking into.
You can still use Clubcard tokens, but the course has gone up, and tokens are now only 3:1, so you would need ~£70 in clubcard vouchers now. (but still a lot less than £205)
rheinhessen
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I'm JUST about to start my first OU course on October 8th - I'm really excited.. I'm working towards on open degree in criminology with psychology as I'm interested in probation, though I may see if I can get a social work assistant position off the back of it and then see if I can get sponsored to do an MA in a social work related degree...
I'm sure I read on the website that Tesco clubcard vouchers were no longer accepted, although that may be from September 2012 when they start transitioning all the fees/finance to a different method due to the funding cuts...
I'm sure I read on the website that Tesco clubcard vouchers were no longer accepted, although that may be from September 2012 when they start transitioning all the fees/finance to a different method due to the funding cuts...
sorry guys looking for the costs of the OCA course?
http://www.oca-uk.com/distance-learning/photography
Like i say i might be being a dope, unless of course this is the course you are discussing although £205 sounds great it does sound very cheap
http://www.oca-uk.com/distance-learning/photography
Like i say i might be being a dope, unless of course this is the course you are discussing although £205 sounds great it does sound very cheap
I was being a dope, see below for anyone else interested.
Fees
The standard course fee at level 1 is £625, level 2 and 3 courses cost £745. There is a £50 supplement if you wish to have face-to-face tuition, this must be paid over the phone when you call to have a tutor allocated.
If you wish to pay by installment, the fee at level 1 is £285 deposit and five payments of £75. Al levels 2 and 3, the deposit is £330 with 6 monthly installments of £75.
Delivery of materials
Your course materials will be delivered to you by APC couriers. We aim to have your materials delivered to you within 8 working days of cleared payment for UK residents.
Fees
The standard course fee at level 1 is £625, level 2 and 3 courses cost £745. There is a £50 supplement if you wish to have face-to-face tuition, this must be paid over the phone when you call to have a tutor allocated.
If you wish to pay by installment, the fee at level 1 is £285 deposit and five payments of £75. Al levels 2 and 3, the deposit is £330 with 6 monthly installments of £75.
Delivery of materials
Your course materials will be delivered to you by APC couriers. We aim to have your materials delivered to you within 8 working days of cleared payment for UK residents.