Credit transfer towards different qualification
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• 16 Aug 2020, 20:48Credit transfer towards different qualification
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,
Hi Colin,
It is great that you are interested in studying Computing & IT with the Open University. It is important to consider how you will fit study in with your other commitments such as work, family, social, etc. Our Time Planner can help:
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/do-it/finding-time
To answer your questions -
1) There is no obligation to register on any modules, so it is absolutely possible to "cash out" and leave with a different qualification than you started working towards. For example, after the first 120 credits, you could claim the T12 - Certificate of Higher Education in Computing and IT or after the first two Stages, claim the W36 - Diploma of Higher Education in Computing and IT. It is possible to return at a later date to work towards a qualification, but would need to keep in mind the time rules. For Q62 - BSc (Honours) Computing and IT there is a 16 year time-limit to complete.
2) If your study is, even partly, to help with a career I recommend careers research and advice before registering on any study. A good starting point, with some useful links, is this page from our Help Centre:
https://help.open.ac.uk/how-do-i-become-a
3) It is possible to study all of Stage 1 in one academic year, but remember that it is useful to consider carefully how you will fit study in with all of your other commitments. Generally, each 30-credit module will require 8-10 hours per week of study.
Please note that the deadline is 10 September to register for study starting in October. If you want to discuss your situation with one of our advisors, we have recently re-opened our phone lines. You can call us on 0300 303 5303, Monday to Friday 8:00-17:30. You can find all our contact details here - http://www.open.ac.uk/contact/
Thank you very much for your reply, that has been very helpful. If I could, I would like to just clarify one more thing.
You mention there is no obligation to register the modules towards a qualification, yet is it possible to register those modules towards for eg the Q62 - BSc (honours) Computing and IT, then ‘change’ The registration to the diploma after 4 years part time. I also understand you only ‘really’ enrol on the modules on that stage of study.
If I am following correctly, it does seem absolutely possible given your reply that those credits can be transferred, if I’m not registered. However what if I were registered? Does that complicate things.