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Yet another change of plan - I think I'll bring my OU journey to an end, but certainly not my maths studies.  I don't think I get value for money any more.

Each module costs me about £1200.  To complete the MSc, given inflation and the increased fee for the dissertation, I'll therefore be looking at between £5000 and £6000 over the next 2 or 3 years.  What do I actually get, for that outlay?

I've made a list, comprising:

• A qualification - but I don't actually need one, and will not do anything with it in any case
• Tutorials - all online, and rarely that helpful
• A tutor - all he does is mark the TMAs.  The one I've had this year has been slow to respond to queries, not that I send him that many, and I can manage generally on my own.
• An exam - it's quite nice to have official affirmation that you've learnt something properly, but is it really necessary?
• Chat forums - the course specific ones are very quiet, and I'm generally a giver not a taker when it comes to it, so again I can do without
• Motivation - having spent the money you're less likely to quit, but I've proved to myself this year that I can study independently
• Course materials - are helpful, but with the right textbooks and online research, are they essential?

So It's likely I'll not be signing up for any modules next year, and will claim my post-graduate certificate and be done with it.  I've got a good few years of study materials and textbooks to play with, and thanks to the OU I've developed the mathematical maturity to be able to study effectively.

So, au revoir OU - if I get withdrawal symptoms there's always next year!