Neil,
I did my BSc(Hons) & MEng witht the OU.
I had done an apprenticeship with C&G then an HNC after this before my OU study.
Please talk to the OU, face to face if possible, go to a couruse choice event.
I spoke to the regional head of technology on a 121 basis.
I explained my background and his words were "p**s" off over there do M101, & MST204 then come back to see me!
So I did, we became good friends & I am still in touch with him now, he has left the OU as have I, and he was an honest & valuable guide through my study.
See also OU recognition leaflet 3.3 (unless the no. has changed!)

PM if you want to discuss further, always will try to help anyone who genuinely wants to better themselves.

I was geniuinely sat here a few minutes ago reading some other stuff and came to the decision I REALLY WANT to do a PhD, but how and in what I don't know, but I finally decided tonight that I want to.
Next, how to afford it, in what, how, and how the heck do I fit it in with running my own co 70+ hrs per week!

HTH

Paul

I also did the M101 which covered general maths and did the summer school as well. I did look at the OU again a few years back but thought their 'project' options were a bit limited and preferred the wider variety offered by the universities. There are an increasing number of universities which offer distance learning degrees and thus you should search around and consider them all. Check the OU credit for previous study pages and you will be able to work out the extra study required for one of their degrees.

As for Paul and his desire to do a PhD and work 70+ hours per week, I say "Superman move over, there's a new guy on the block!"

Regards.

Thank you for your help Paul. It looks like I am on the right track with my thoughts with the mathematics. You have done very well and climb the ladders.

Yes! I would go for the PHD although it is hard work it will get open alot of door especially in top R & D jobs.

Regards

Neil Bussey

In reply to your statement most good Engineers are super men because they are tested to the extremes in terms of mathematics, problem solving ability and communications. In Britain engineers are sometimes looked upon as nerds, but this is very far from the truth.

Regards

Neil Bussey

Edited: 02 December 2010 at 09:55 PM by neilbuss

westonpa,
I WANT to, but I don't think it will happen somehow!
Paul

Don't hold out much hope for IET accreditation any time soon.

Over the years, the OU has dropped off electronics courses (digital and analogue and radio frequency engineering) so now you only have the choice between mechanical (materials) based courses or IT and computing.

Although it is not mentioned anywhere on the OU website, the IT based courses are now going to be dropped from counting towards a BEng in around 2013. They will not strictly be dropped, but the relevant IT and Computing Projects will no longer count towards the Engineering Project module. Therefore any level 2 and 3 work you did in these subjects will be of little use to you.

This is all down to the OU trying to become better recognised in the industry. The industry appearing to be mechanical engineering, not electronic or software.

The BEng is already accredited by the IED (Institute of Engineering Designers).

I started working towards my BEng last October after completing a HNC on a night course, after finding out the above information - I wish I had considered other options. I would have preferred a day release to local Uni but my employer would not allow it. Maybe yours will?

You can always do the OU degree in Physical Sciences (Physics). I'm sure this would be recognised by the IET and IoP. It covers both science and Maths.

Hi Paul (also know an Superman)

Why don't you contact the Enginerring department at the OU and discuss doing a part time PhD?

http://engineering.open.ac.uk/

From the research that I'd done in doing a PhD they do a 6 year distance learning one where you don't have to love in MK; yes I am considering doing one as well.

-------------------------
James Garrity BEng (Hons) MIET

Hi

You might find the OU Engineering web page interesting

"we have agreed to apply for full accreditation by the IET (and the IMechE may join in the process) in 2010."

http://engineering.open.ac.uk/news Accessed 25/02/2010

-------------------------
James Garrity BEng (Hons) MIET

We will have to see then James.

I'm unsure how they will get accredited by the IET when they have ditched all electronics subjects and are in the process of cleansing computing subjects out of the BEng process (at the project stage anyway). All that is left are materials and design based subjects.

Maybe they will introduce some new, exciting courses in the coming few years?

The problem is that an increasing number of students do not want to do the 'heavy' maths and principles stuff anymore and thus if there is no take up on the 'tough' modules the universities, and not only the OU, drop them......because they are now run primarily as businesses and not as education centres. Some of the tutors at my current university have said they are under pressure from the 'corporate/business' side of the university to drop or tone down the 'tough' modules because students complain about them.

Regards.

It's not about "tough" and "easy" modules.

It's about software programming / IT courses being dropped from the engineering degree at present, and electronics modules (digital and analogue and RF engineering) got dropped in 2004.

The compulsory unit "engineering materials" is being phased in and the engineering project module becoming purely a mechanical based unit.

This is all being done to gain futher respect with IMechE and others becuase up untill next February, it would be possible to get an IMechE / IED accredited degree purely with IT based courses and an IT based project.

You can't please all the people all the time, as they say.

Br,

"It's not about "tough" and "easy" modules."

In relation to:

Topic Title: Open University Engineering
Topic Summary: Engineering Mathematics

My comments are from a university tutor who was an OU engineering tutor some time ago, when modules were phased out due to low take up, and from current university tutors at one of the UK's oldest universities and from my own experiences of doing OU maths/engineering modules. I am not arguing against the 'accreditation' related points, which are perfectly valid, but am giving relevant opinions of tutors who speak in terms of 'tough' and 'easy' modules and which have an affect on other decisions.

Regards.

I amplaning to start my engineering studies at university. but the problems is I don't know which university offers the best modules and allow me to get good experience. I was hoping to study Computer systems Engineering.. is there any suggestiongs that might help in my choices? so far i have QM, City and aston universities on my list.

If you choose an engineering HNC, HND, Degree, etc., with a UK university then the best modules will be the ones you are most interested in....so check the course content. Computer systems engineering is a good subject to choose. With regards to potential experience contact the relevant universities and ask them what they offer....there are a variety of schemes and each will explain their own if you ask. My advice though is do not take everything on face value, and thus rely on some phone conversation with one tutor because sometimes they use poetic licence to get students onto their courses. So if possible check their websites to see if what they say is in writing or check their paper literature to see if it's in there or get them to email it to you. Basically do not take verbal on face value and always do your research on what you are being told.....search Google, speak with past students, etc.

My son is doing a similar subject at Nottingham Trent and he loves it and is just about to start his 'experience' year where basically he goes out to work for a year. He has to apply for the jobs, and of course this is in itself training for after the course, but the university both assist and have relevant contacts and networks and so on. Basically he has to do his part but with university assistance and guidance.

Regards.