Funding for Open University

Here in Scotland, the Student Awards Agency (SAAS) pays for undergraduate study fees, including part-time and OU, for anyone with an individual income of £25,000 or less who is resident in Scotland. This is regardless of any other household income, age or the level of any previous academic qualification. (There's of course some small print, but that's broadly the case.) I make no comment on how far this generosity is justifiable (lots of scope for argument here ), but I must admit I'm taking it up to pursue an OU languages degree in my retirement.

I know this won't be relevant for anyone living beyond Scotland, but folk north of the border might be interested. Here's the SAAS link:
www.saas.gov.uk/part_time/ug/eligibility.htm

Thank you for all your comments will certainly look at Future Learn

My last two were with the OU and I used a student loan for them to spread the costs. However when course fees rose the last time my dreams of an MA were kicked into touch. It is absolutely correct that if you already have a degree there is no funding available. Try looking at Future Learn which is part of the O.U. Alternatively look on eBay for second hand course books from the OU. Or just go for it!!

Oh thankyou yes re-enrolling sounds the better option

From their FAQ, whitewave -

"Can I access the course content after a course ends?

Usually, yes. We ask our university partners to make as much of their content as possible open and accessible afterwards to learners who are enrolled on the course. Occasionally there may be reasons why we have to remove some or all course material, but we try to avoid doing this.

We encourage learners to complete courses within two to four weeks of the end date. If you have not completed your course by this time, you might consider enrolling on the next run of the course so that you can participate in active discussions with other learners."

Anybody know how long you are able to access courses on Futurelearn after they have finished? I signed up a few I really fancied then all the heart stuff got in the way and now gardening and going out in the lovely weather is taking more time, but I really want to do the courses

I love the OU and got my first degree with them and as someone has already said it used to be just about affordable but now its the same us other distance learning courses so sadly I like many people who would have carried on doing courses with them forever have decided its just too expensive.

Answered my own question; yes, there is.
You can do some courses free.

I did an OU course back in the 80s. I seem to recall they were expensive even back then.

Is there still a WEA?

That's OK granny multi tasking like me?

white wave sorry I see you offered the same advice as me - I didn't read your post properly because I thought it had to do with TV.

You can take an exam with some of the Future Learn courses, I'm enrolled for an exam in May for one of their courses.

If memory serves me, if you are studying for a first degree and have a reduced/restricted income you can apply for some help from the OU...I don't know the exact details but they are available online. Alternatively you can apply for a student loan in the normal way or apply to pay the full fee in instalments. I don't think it matters if you are retired but support is really only for a first degree.

Couldn't you have started a new thread on the TV, Radio, Film and Arts forum about a TV programme you're interested in durhamjen? And restrict your matey conversations to that instead of other threads?

Oops sorry again! Ignore the "m".

I've recorded that because my autistic grandson likes Obama and the Whitehouse, so we will watch it together.

If you wish ..m

bartonlady do you want to do a course to degree level? If not look at the OU's Future Learn site, there are hundreds of courses, you can do an exam of you wish:
www.futurelearn.com/courses

I was/am going to see the second episode of Obama

And that's relevant to this thread how, exactly?

Oh I know it's about autism isn't it. I have it to record

What's that?

Are you going to watch The A Word, whitewave?

I really don't see why OU study funding should be available for those of us in our retirement years.

I certainly wouldn't expect it when funding is so short in other areas.

That should have read no funding if you HAVE a degree! Watching tv at the same time sorry.

I know bartonlady!

As far as I know you definitely won't get funding if you don't have a degree and I think you only get help if you are unemployed.

If you aren't bothered about doing a degree I could suggest future learn which is free, admittedly not so stretching and only last for say 6 weeks but it is an alternative and better than nothing