I've been looking at the course description for TM470 which is compulsory for most of the IT related degrees. The course costs £775.0 (under transitional fees) yet it says:
"you will be expected to produce your work independently, without close supervision...You’ll be expected to make use of the study materials and software associated with the Level 3 courses you have previously studied...There are guidance notes and resources but no teaching materials associated with the course.."
So, it's the student working on their own mainly, there are no study books or guides provided...so what is the student paying for? This is a 30pt course yet costs nearly twice as much as the normal 30pt courses, but less is being provided. That just doesn't make sense. How can the OU justify this price for this course? Have I missed something?
Can anyone give me some insight please?
I'm just coming to the end of T450 (The engineering project). You are right, there is no way on earth the OU can justify £775 for this course.
All work, including the EMA, is marked by your tutor. A second tutor takes a look at TMA1 and the EMA. So there is none of the logistical overhead associated with exams.
There are no face to face or online tutorials, my tutor has not sent out any slides in the run up to assignments. In fact there has been next to no contact.
The only reason I can see for such a high price is that for certain degrees, students are forced to take the project - so there is an opportunity to cash in. It's an absolute disgrace.
I've done a couple of Project courses (T401, M801) these were priced similar to other courses at the time, however the OU said they lost a lot of money on them as employing the tutor, course tutor, subject specialists and the fact the project reports were marked by at least two people (tutor and internal course tutors etc) The tutor is also contracted and expected to provide advice and support and this can be quite extensive in some cases.
The cost is also probably due to relatively low numbers and the fact their aiming these courses at people looking for professional recognition with the IET etc, and so a lot of people will be sponsored by employers who will be footing the bill.