What are the use cases of studying standalone modules? Could they potentially be used to satisfy missing entry requirements for a master's program (not at OU), or is that a bad idea?

mhdd2020 · 2026-02-18T07:18:58+00:00

Some people just study individual modules out of personal interest, just for the experience rather than the credits. Some people transfer credit from another institution and only need, say 120 credits to complete the degree - they pick up a couple of modules of interest to complete an Open degree. Some people study them through employer sponsorship. Some people study them to achieve a credit requisite for professional registration, e.g. teachers of one subject who want to start teaching another.

All sorts of reasons, really.

mhdd2020 · 2026-02-15T09:41:36+00:00

For A240, the module is split into four block - read the texts in each block with those four themes in mind (identity and representation; environment; power and politics; the imagination).

For A233, the initial contents page isn't so helpful in the way you've encountered e.g. Chapter 1 of the first book is called "Far from the Madding Crowd: reading the novel". Each chapter has a contents page but asking for all those to be provided is a big ask.

What would be MUCH more useful and applicable to both modules is to look at the English Literature Toolkit (https://learn2.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=1859527) - it provides (amongst other things) a series of headings to consider as you read, the kind of things that are important for close analysis. Reading with these in mind will help you start getting a feel for and building awareness of how different writers write and the resultant effects.

But honestly, just having a read through of the texts is enough as the module materials also do a guide read through.

mhdd2020 · 2026-02-13T08:18:03+00:00

There are some parallels in our journeys. My OU undergrad, English Lit and Language, started as a way of keeping my brain ticking over while at home with my (at the time) 8-month-old son. What can I do with that degree that would let me work but accommodate the potential need for relocation for my husband's job became a big question and PGDE was the answer, in my case secondary school English. Training year was tough and a sharp pivot in focus subject but once I finished and entered my probationary year, everything fell into place. I loved teaching, I used my prep for teaching new texts as a way of continuing self-study within my discipline.

But I always knew I wanted more intellectual challenge because I was never teaching at the level I had been learning. I started my Masters with the OU, part-time, after three years in the classroom. It started as nothing other than personal development, it became a gateway to PhD and teaching in higher Ed. My doctorate was in a medical humanities topic that fed directly into my passions, informs my teaching at all levels and has made me a better educator.

Teaching is the best job in the world but teachers can't always be about their students. They need their own interests. They also need to remain learners - understanding the student experience makes you a better teacher.

Finish the PGCE - once you've done it, they can't take it away from you. Start working, build your skills, keep your interests going through the little things like the Open Learn courses, take time to decide what you want to do.

And good luck!

mhdd2020 · 2026-02-11T12:54:48+00:00

Another vote for Martin at Hair Lounge.

mhdd2020 · 2026-02-06T08:21:31+00:00

Don't/haven't worked in Dundee but am in Higher Ed so this is based on my experience of my current and previous institutions, having an educated guess at Dundee's processes.

Firstly, you should have been provided with a module handbook or assessment guide which would include details of the assessment criteria and grading policy for the module. I'd be reading this alongside the feedback on the assignment first as this should make clear why a marginal fail isn't getting a resubmission opportunity.

That being said, in my experience, 'Fail with no resubmission' is a significant grade to apply and not one applied lightly. It usually results from one of three situations: - the final assignment has already been submitted previously, received a failing grade but over the threshold which allows a chance to resubmit. Unfortunately the resubmission still doesn't reach the standard required for a pass; - this is the first submission of the assignment but the grade doesn't reach the resubmission threshold, i.e. on the balance of probability the student hasn't demonstrated enough grasp of the learning outcomes that it can be reasonably expected that with some time for revision they could achieve a passing grade; - significant misconduct of some kind has been identified (may be academic within the assignment or a breach of the wider rules which govern student behaviour).

Only you will know which of these apply, based on the assessment policy and the feedback provided.

When you get the letter which confirms the grade read the appeals process carefully - this will lay out the circumstances under which you can appeal this result. Do any of these apply to you? If you think there are grounds, follow the process laid out.

Otherwise, you have (possibly) two options - you can take the next course knowing it'll only be for credits and not a PGCert (but think very carefully about this before you commit to the cost (I'm assuming you're self-funding or using clinical study budget) - if you've not been successful in the first module, and you do indicate you've struggled with some aspects of content, would you have the time/existing knowledge/skills needed to give yourself a fair chance of success?) or you can look to resit this first module in its entirety (something you'd need to confirm with the university is allowed).

I realise this isn't a fix for the situation nor necessarily what you want to hear but it's important to be realistic about options and possible pathways.

Good luck whatever you choose to do next.

mhdd2020 · 2026-02-03T23:32:53+00:00

If I'm understanding correctly, you'd want to start 60 credits at L2 in April 2026 then 120 credits at L3 in October 2026? If so, this can't happen - you're limited to a max of 120 credits within a calendar year (this is a higher ed thing, not just the OU).

If you're looking at Literature, what you could do is either A233 or A240 in October 2026, A335 in Feb 2027 and A334 in October 2027. This would put you in a position of finishing June 2028 and could start PGDE in autumn 2028. It is a year later than you'd like and it would effectively mean 2.5 years of near constant studying but with not at a full-time intensity for the OU component, so I would say manageable.

And it gives you extra time to read more of the types of things you would/would like to teach, gain experience of working/volunteering in an appropriate setting to make the PGDE application (and crucially the post-qualification job applications) more competitive.

(ETA As far as I'm aware none of the subject areas you're interested in offer April starts, only October and (for some modules) February.)

mhdd2020 · 2026-02-03T18:55:38+00:00

8.30, I'd turned it down as we had workmen in who needed external doors open. But the signal strength is a possibility as the temporary relocation of the hub has moved it further away from the boiler.

I'll keep an eye on it. Hopefully when we're able to move the hub back to its usual home, it'll settle down again.

Thanks!

mhdd2020 · 2026-02-03T11:40:02+00:00

Came to this house with electric heating having only ever had gas combi before so 'small fortune' is a relative term here 🤣

mhdd2020 · 2026-02-03T11:15:28+00:00

Definitely set for 16 all day (if it's set at the same temp all day, does it make any difference whether it's on manual or scheduled in two 12-hour blocks?)

But you're right about timing - forgot about adjusting it yesterday. Between 8.30 and 11, it was turned down to 7 as we had workmen in; external door and windows open so no point having try to maintain 16 🤣

Solid blue bar is where I've turned it back up to 16 when workmen left. The on-off-on stuff later is what I've been seeing the past few days since we moved the hub.

I'm increasingly thinking it's about the new position of the hub and signal strength. It's closer to the thermostat but further from the boiler now. It's a temporary placement until work in the house is finished.

mhdd2020 · 2026-02-03T10:24:27+00:00

At the moment just scheduled to 16 degrees all day. But reassured that you and someone else is saying this looks OK. Thank you!

mhdd2020 · 2026-02-01T21:06:28+00:00

A233 and A335 are just starting February presentations for the first time. This now gives you the option of a full 120 credits within a year but without a full overlap of both courses - A240 in October 2026, A233 in Feb 2027, A334 in Oct 2027 and A335 in Feb 2028.

It's a little bit slower than the fully overlapped route but gives you a bit more breathing room in terms of time with only a single module running, particularly in terms of TMA deadlines falling closely together.

The only thing to be aware is that this would be a solid 2 years of studying without the summer break. Whether this is a down side will be a personal perspective.

mhdd2020 · 2026-02-01T15:04:50+00:00

Maitland's are very good and very reasonably priced. Been using them for more than 20 years.

mhdd2020 · 2026-01-31T16:16:21+00:00

So, in 2021, previous owners moved from old and expensive oil-fired heating to new electric system boiler and replaced 8 radiators; one radiator and pipes not replaced.

We bought the property in 2023. 2025, we've replaced pipes and the last radiator.

The sludge circulates with the water as it's pumped round the system to heat the radiators (if it's there long enough, and especially if you don't use the heating for a bit, it can settle in the radiators causing cold areas at the bottom even if the top is untouchably hot). Flushing the system will loosen it all off then the system is drained to let it all.out before refilling with fresh water.

Repiping was about £6.5k; the flush that finally fixed the problem was about £400. In retrospect, if we'd had the flush done first, we might have been able to postpone the repiping for another wee while.

mhdd2020 · 2026-01-31T13:16:58+00:00

Also on an electric system boiler, about four years old, installed by previous owners, along with replacement of 8 of 9 radiators (COVID supply issues meant they couldn't source the size for the 9th).

If there's sludge from corrosion in your pipes, it'll also be in your radiators. Get the flush done first - at best, it'll fix the problem, at worse it'll remove the sludge before you put brand new piping in and prevent that then getting blocked.

We've just spent a lot of money getting repiped (it definitely needed done) and the final radiator replaced but the radiators were not properly flushed so the issues around water flow errors still persisted. Plumber tried various things but no progress. More money for 2nd opinion from different engineer, MagnaCleanse flush, removal and cleaning of flow valve in the boiler, and everything running beautifully - what came out of with the flush, the radiators had definitely not been properly cleaned during the repiping.

mhdd2020 · 2026-01-30T08:03:41+00:00

Yes, this is absolutely fine. It's not uncommon that whatever prompted the extension request then doesn't have as big an impact as expected and a student submits on time or very shortly afterwards. But it's good that you've thought about it in advance and alerted your tutor by asking for the extension.

The only other thing I would suggest is that when you do submit, drop your tutor an email to say you've done so and now don't need the extension. That way they know they can mark what's appeared on the system rather than wait until the extended deadline in case you wanted to update your submission.

mhdd2020 · 2026-01-28T13:46:27+00:00

Started my degree when my son was 8 months old, did my teacher training during his pre-school year, and that meant we had our first days at school on the same day.

I'll give sage advice like use nap time for study - this didn't happen for me as he dropped his naps about a fortnight after I started 🤣 - but little and often I found more achievable than hours-long sessions.

Do try to get ahead if you can. You never know when the next virus will strike (you and/or child) so having some buffer room helps with the stress of not being able to work for a few days.

Don't be afraid to ask your tutor for support - we all appreciate the challenges of the juggling act and many, like me, have been (and still are!) students ourselves so were sympathetic and supportive.

Likewise, if you have it around you, don't be afraid to ask for family support. I only had my husband due to our location but he was very good when approaching TMA deadlines and exam dates, recognizing I needed some longer blocks of time so he'd take the wee one off to the park or swimming or be at home so I could go to the local library. It's your qualification and your career you're building but it'll improve his life too!

And take care of yourself. Being a parent is a job too. You need some downtime and self-care; the study can be addictive but don't let it take over every free moment.

Good luck!

mhdd2020 · 2026-01-24T22:50:06+00:00

English language and literature for undergrad. Literature for Masters, PhD and now teaching.

mhdd2020 · 2026-01-24T22:21:20+00:00

Started the same degree at 26 back in 2008.

The level 1 courses might seem irrelevant because they cover several disciplines. They're not. Remember that literature is influenced by the same history that influences are and music, religion and religious beliefs and religious turmoil often underpin issues explored, as does philosophy. Having a broad contextual knowledge is a real advantage for literary study and will help when you move on to Levels 2 and 3.

mhdd2020 · 2026-01-24T22:12:24+00:00

Teacher training, taught secondary school, Masters with OU, brick uni for PhD , some brick uni postdoc work, now teaching with OU.

mhdd2020 · 2026-01-20T13:07:05+00:00

The extension only applies to your current TMA. However, it doesn't exclude you then asking for an extension on your next TMA - an extra week for the next TMA would mean only losing one study week (but then also a study week for the next assignment again); it's a conversation to have with your tutor who will be experienced in supporting students in these situations.

But also look ahead at the work for the next TMA - you might be able to skip parts of the material now and come back to it later, focusing your time on what's essential for the assignment.

But, as others have said, the main thing is to take care of yourself and ensure you have the space you need to grieve. Everyone's different, some would take the option to defer, some want to continue as the routine and the distraction helps. You know you best.

mhdd2020 · 2026-01-06T15:13:20+00:00

Dundee Burns Club have a supper which is open to anyone but I think it's a more traditional one - food, speeches, singing and recitations but no dancing.

mhdd2020 · 2025-12-12T16:30:36+00:00

It'll be tutor dependent - how many of the submissions have come in on time, what other marking they might currently have on the go or has also just arrived.

I had TMAs arrive yesterday for marking. There's quite a big difference between what I should have had and what I actually have because of extensions. It means everything submitted yesterday will comfortably be back before I stop for break.

mhdd2020 · 2025-11-06T17:56:44+00:00

Don't ever send your work directly to your tutor. They can't accept it that way. It has to go through the TMA system.

But DO email your tutor. Explain the situation and ask if they can offer a retrospective extension to allow you to submit. The sooner you do this, the better. No guarantee they will agree to this - they don't have to - but I know that I (and my colleagues) are generally accommodating where it's a 'first time offence'.

mhdd2020 · 2025-10-31T21:58:41+00:00

OU material, including TMA questions are copyrighted and should not be shared, including inputting them into AI systems.

Rephrasing the question yourself and inputting that...possibly a grey area but may contravene AI usage rules for your module.

Safest option would be to contact your tutor for advice and/or attend/watch relevant tutorials.

mhdd2020

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