Hi,

I have been in the process of figuring out what direction I would like to go with an IT qualification, I am likely going to be starting part time study alongside full-time work. I have a few questions if anyone could help.

1) If I select the 6 year part time study at OU towards an honours degree, after 4 years is it possible i can “cash” out the 240 credits after stage 2 and use it towards a Diploma of Higher education in IT? (I notice the Qualifications in the courses are essentially the same structure), I presume you could likely use a credit transfer at a later date and resume at stage 3 towards the Honours Degree at 360 credits?

 - I am just trying to gauge what flexibility I have in my decisions.

2) The IT course I am contemplating is with the software or computer science focus - but notice there is also a ‘Foundation Degree’ on ‘Computing IT and practice’ - (which seems to have the same qualification value as a higher education diploma?) I have experience working in an IT company and my now employer utilises these skills, yet is not a dedicated IT company, is that an issue? As I noticed there are modules in the IT practice route that require employment.

3) Is it possible to study full time for the first year at stage 1 and work full time, then part-time at either stage 2 or 3? My rationale is that while being familiar with IT it maybe a leg up and I have read that some feel stage 1 has a lighter workload (this maybe subjective), that might make this possible? 

I hope that is not too much trouble, or does not read like a word salad :D

Kind Regards,