Available onlineValue of multi/interdisciplinary study
(page 2 of 5)| Image : | Multi-Discipline Degrees: Pick 'n' Mix |
| Date: | 2019 |
The value to students
Our students often select to study an Open qualification as creating a bespoke pathway fits their professional or personal needs. The student testimonials speak of the value of the nature of bespoke and flexible study across a range of subjects.
When I first started as Director of the Open Programme, I was convinced that if I looked hard enough, I’d be able to find certain common pathways that Open Programme students took. I was quickly dissuaded of that fact in that every single student seemed to take a completely different set of modules; it was about what they needed, what were their hopes, and their intentions. Every student therefore is unique, and we should really celebrate that variety.” (Peter Taylor, 2019)
Professor Martin Weller, the incoming Chair of the Open Board of Studies commented on some of the reasons why students study an Open qualification:
- students who wish to combine a set of subjects not catered for by the University’s named degrees;
- students who want freedom from having to take some of the compulsory modules associated with existing named degrees;
- students who prefer/avoid modules with exams and want to select modules on that basis;
- students on other OU programmes who started off with the intention of a named degree but in the course of their studies have decided they want and/or need more flexibility in their studies or wish to change their subject focus;
- students who want to complete their studies with 300 points and claim a degree without honours;
- students transferring from other institutions who want to maximise credit transfer, e.g. to study part time/at a distance and/or change subject direction; or where face to face institutions are unable to provide adequate disability support;
- students from disadvantaged backgrounds and/or those with protected characteristics wanting to return to education, who are unsure about what to study and need flexible/personalised pathways more than conventional students (e.g. to choose more accessible modules).
Students on Open qualifications have fascinating examples of how their study, across a range of subjects, supports their professional and personal interests and goals as can be seen in the following case studies.
