My Open University Journey... So Far

 I have been studying with The Open University for a few years now and it has recently came to my attention that not everyone knows much about this pathway. It is not the easiest route by far and finding a balance between work and uni as well as any other commitments is difficult but the best thing I have done by far. I thought I would speak a bit about the modules that I have done so far as well as what I will be studying in my final year in September. Also, I am studying for a history degree!

My first two years were part time because I did a February start in the first year and due to student finance it meant that I couldn't go full-time. I won't pretend I actually understand the details and will instead just talk about my studies.

First of all, I did a module which no longer runs called A100 (I believe there is now an A111 which is very similar). This module sparked my passion for the OU and I absolutely adored my first year of studying. I even did one assignment in Barbados which definitely helped my creative flow with such a gorgeous view.  This module was called The Arts Past and Present and while was not specific to history, it definitely spoke about history a lot. There were chapters about all-sorts: the Benin bronzes, Cleopatra, Stalin and the Dalai Lama just to name a couple! 

Then, I went off on a bit of a tangent. I studied sociology at a-level and knew I liked social history and so I decided to study DD103 which is a module called Investigating the Social World. I hated it. I am so glad I chose history over sociology as they were both degrees I was interested in. I can't even remember what half of the topics were but the one I most enjoyed was about fair-trade coffee. 

This year I have been studying full-time. For me, this involves doing two modules alongside each other - this was difficult to time manage but that is a whole other post! My favourite out of the two is A223 called Early Modern Europe: Society and Culture c.1500-1780. This module has been fascinating so far and I have really enjoyed it, however this is definitely the era of history which interests me the most is I am slightly biased. Chapters go through the time period and involve a lot about the religious upheavals at the time which really does interest me. The other module is called The British Isles and the Modern World 1789-1914 and the code is A225. This one has not been as enjoyable and I have found that there was a big emphasis on politics which is like not what I enjoy as much. These were not optional and I had to do them both.

I have just chosen my final two modules. There were quite a few to choose from but after lots of conversations with everyone I know I have finally decided on which ones and enrolled successfully as long as I pass this year! I have chosen A344 called Art and its Global Histories and A326 called Empire: 1492-1975. I don't want to comment too much on these as everything is only what I have heard and I would rather give an honest review once studying them.

The OU is not spoken about as much but is still such a credible qualification and by no means the easy way out. I am always happy to answer any questions as this is something that should be more widely known!