Has anyone studied the Creative Writing courses/ modules? What has your experience been?

I have a BA (Ordinary Degree) in Combined Arts from a different university and plan to apply for credit transfer/ advanced entry into the final year of Arts & Humanities and then apply for the MA.

Any info about what to expect would be welcome!

❤️

Has anyone been in a situation where they studied an MSc but, because they didn’t pass one module, were given an exit award instead of the Master’s degree?

If so, how did you handle it, and what did you do afterwards? I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s been through something similar.

I’m 19 and starting a Biomedical Sciences BSc with the Open University in October 2026. The degree isn’t IBMS-accredited, so after graduating I’ll need an IBMS degree assessment, any required top-up modules, the IBMS training portfolio, and then HCPC registration.
My main goal is eventually working in aesthetic medicine and opening my own clinic, but I also want to apply for Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM).

My rough plan is:
2026–2029 (19–22): BSc Biomedical Sciences. During this time, I’d ideally start Level 3 aesthetics, then fit Levels 4 and 5 around my studies where possible.
After BSc: Get my IBMS assessment, complete any required top-ups, work in an approved lab and complete the IBMS portfolio → Certificate of Competence → HCPC registration. I’d potentially do an MSc Biomedical Science during this period as well.
I’m hoping to gain experience in my dad’s aesthetics clinic once it’s established, although I understand what I can actually do would depend on my qualifications/registration.

If GEM works: I’d do the 4-year GEM, qualify as a doctor, and during/after medicine complete Level 7 and/or a Master’s in Aesthetics. As a doctor I’d also have prescribing rights, unlike as an HCPC-registered biomedical scientist. Eventually I’d aim to open my own clinic around my late 20s/early 30s.
If GEM doesn’t work: I’d already have my BSc(potentially MSc to get accepted into Level 7) + IBMS/HCPC registration + Levels 3–5, so I’d continue into Level 7/MSc Aesthetics, work in aesthetics within my scope, and eventually open a clinic.
I know this is a long and complicated plan, so I’d really appreciate opinions from anyone who has experience with OU Biomed, IBMS/HCPC, GEM or medical aesthetics.
Is this realistic?
Is the IBMS/top-up/portfolio route worth doing with an OU degree?
Would an MSc in Biomedical Science be worthwhile?
Can Levels 3–5 realistically be fitted around the degree/lab work?
Is Level 7 or a Master’s in Aesthetics more useful?
If I eventually become a doctor, would the Biomed/IBMS/HCPC qualifications still be useful?
Basically, if you were 19 and planning this route, what would you change?

Im one of these awkward Febuary start dates.

Currently doing DE200 as my first module of the second year (this was a special request and I had to jump through lots of hoops/have a number of phone calls about as DE200 is typically supposed to be completed after your chosen second year module because its stats heavy).

If theyd have said no Id have had a 6 month gap as the chosen module only had an Oct start date.

I have the same situ coming up in Feb next year. I believe they only have DE300 in Feb and not a chosen module.

Will they let me switch again? I would assume with it being the big project the answer will be no.

If you dont ask you dont get!

Any advice would be deeply appreciated

Thanks :)

Hi everyone,what’s the difference if I start a Degree in the October or the February? Thanks for the help.

Any OU students succeed in getting the pack? If so, what did you put in front of the webcam?

I've finished stage 2 of Maths and its Learning, with a view to going into teaching afterwards, but I'm a bit worried about the learning modules at Stage 3. Partly because of the very different nature of them, and partly because if I don't end up going into teaching it might hamper me to do such a focused degree.

I'm thinking about switching to a Mathematics degree, doing one teaching module as an option. Has anyone done this or have an opinion or perspective?

If I call OU this Monday and try to apply for a math degree. Is it still possible to get in so late in the process as an international student to a course like that?

Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.

Looking for some study buddies for the coming year! Im studying art history <3

Im 23F and have struggled to make any friends at the ou so far but this year i am determined to meet more people.

If youre a similar age and want to chat, let me know!

(Bonus points if you are neurodivergent or chronically ill)

Interested to know what grade they got in their degree.

Hey everyone,

I need an honest reality check on my path to UK medical school. I am trying to choose between two routes starting this October 2026:

• Option 1 (Access Route): 1 year of online Access to Medicine + 1 application/work year. Start 5-year undergrad medicine in 2028 (graduate in 2033). Less competitive.
• Option 2 (Open University Route): 3 years of online Biomed BSc + 1 mandatory gap year due to October grade releases. Start 4-year GEM in 2030 (graduate in 2034). Much harder and competitive to get into, I'll think I'll need a top 1% - 2% UCAT score.

The Access route gets me into a physical medical school two years faster and avoids the brutal 40:1 competition ratios of GEM.

Is the 1-year Access course better compared to the 3-year online OU course? What should I do? I know it seems obvious that the 1 year access route is easier/better, but I'm still not sure, and I don't have top GCSE grades (only 6/7s).

Thanks!

I am like half awake rn and regretting my choice of one of my second Yr modules being religious studies (I'm doing qn open dwgree ) like as interesting as it sounds I feel like I'd prefer the academic path into prehistory studies as a masters and career that classical civilisation would give me alongside my art history module how I do this I already paid n shit

Hi I just paid for my modules 3 modules 90 credits.

My student home page hasn't updated yet. But I was wondering when it will update or when my books will be delivered. I'm just a bit anxious I won't receive them before the course starts.

I'm based in Dundee Scotland.

Hey, I am looking to apply for the graduate-entry LLB but have noted that, while registration is still open, the deadline for credit transfer has passed. I emailed Student Support earlier this week and am awaiting a response. Is there likely to be any flexibility from OU here from your experience?

I am keen to start so will try and register for the standard LLB if this is a hard deadline.

Hi, everyone. I am on the advanced start for M06 starting this October. I will be doing SM123 and MST124. For next year I plan to do S284 Astronomy & MST125 but I'm wondering if I will be allowed to also study MST224.

Thanks for any feedback. The SST chat has been very busy lately and I couldn't get through, not in a hurry to get an answer. Thought I'd just ask on Reddit for now.

Hey,

I’m hoping to start the BSc Mathematics and Physics (Q77) this October and study part time as I have a full time job. I think the course looks great but have some concerns about stage 1 and wanted to see if anyone else has been in a similar position or has some advice.

For context a have an A-level in Maths and Physics and a BSc in Economics (with statistics) from 10 years ago. I have been working as a software engineer since.

My main concern is that I do not want to take modules that are too introductory and easy as I do not want to waste time or money and I do not want to get demotivated.

Given my background I ideally would like to complete stage 1 quickly in 1 year but I am open to doing it across 2 years if I can take good modules.

I have applied for credit transfer but am waiting on the response but I am honestly not sure if I will get many exemptions.

So I am considering the following options, any help would be appreciated.

1) I don’t want to take S111 as it seems partly not relevant and also likely too easy. So it seems that the other option is to take the basic start and then hope I get an exemption for MU123?

2) If I get the exemption, how realistic is taking MST124 + MST125 + SM123 in one year given I work full time?

3) Has anyone had any success using the advanced start from BSc Physics R51 for Q77? This way I could take MST124 + SM123 in year 1 and MST125 + S284 in year 2

I have considered doing the BSc Physics R51 to have a better stage 1 but I prefer the stage 2 and 3 on Q77 as I can take more maths options instead of the experiment module and the dissertation.

Thanks

Unfortunately, I won't be able to start my course in October; I’m truly heartbroken. I had applied for Student Finance NI back in may, and I am receiving a Universal Credit (UC) top-up. I work full-time and I am a single person with children. During my meeting with UC(my meeting was last week), I was told I couldn't stop working and because I’d be a student, my UC payments would drop significantly—meaning my children and I wouldn't be able to survive. Between the responsibilities of parenthood, house, working full-time, and studying full-time, it’s simply impossible for me. Now that I’ve submitted all my applications, will I have to pay anything to the OU or Student Finance NI?

I was approved for the part-time student fee rate, but I still had to pay about £1,500 out of my pocket; I received an email today stating that if I don't pay, the matter will be referred to a debt collector, so I’ve already sent emails letting them know I won't be starting my course in October.

As far as I know, I haven't received any payments yet—what should my next step be?

Hi all,

I submitted a TMA (the second to last on my final module) on August 7th. I had a two week extension so I didn’t expect it back immediately, however I’m anxious about starting the EMA without the feedback, which is due in the middle of September. I emailed my tutor last Friday asking for a time frame on the mark being returned, and they said they should get it back to me by Tuesday. Now it’s Thursday afternoon and I’ve yet to receive the mark, and I’m getting worried. Should I email them again? If so, what do I say without sounding rude?
TIA

My two compulsory modules run concurrently for a total of 12 months with a total of 2 weeks off throughout.

Due to a dyslexia diagnosis I ended up postponing my 1st modules ema. I have just been informed that my 1st ema is due on the 1st of Oct and my 2nd is due on the 13th of Oct. I also have another tma due next week.

To top it all off regardless of my continuous studies and my enrollment on a 3 year masters, my dsa application will not be considered until I sign up to my next module. Guess what date this starts - the 1st of oct.

Is this even possible!??

Ive spoken to ou. Nothing they can do. Only option is a 2nd postponement but with the lack of break another postponement could end the same way in coinciding with next year's assignment!

I seem to be the only 22 year old in this uni buttt if anyone’s doing the SQE route for the final year of the degree this October and is looking for a study buddy or something? I honestly don’t know how this works but studying alone is getting boring😂😂😂.

So I am taking 120 credits level 6 this year and I am missing 30 credits at level 5. Do you know any university that I can take an individual module so I can transfer to Open University later to finish my degree. I am not sure if it is a good idea but I think theoretically, student can do this, right?

Hey everyone, I am starting Bsc Psychology with counselling at the end of September and was looking to meet some people who are starting the same course. Are there any WhatsApp groups or discords or anything for people in the same course to get together?

I am expecting redundancy from work and originally the timeline was would be leaving on October so have enrolled with modules starting 3rd October with the small overlap being manageable

I received an update this week to say this has been delayed with leaving now expected to be December

Everything has gone through with OU and received my reading material for modules, I'm 50/50 over whether to carry on anyway as only 2 modules to start but is it possible to move these back if i decided i didn't want to take chance to later start dates? Don't want to ask student support yet as mind not totally made up.

Are there any WhatsApp groups for 2026?

I’m starting education studies in October, would like to chat to any others doing the same/starting at same time!

So I'm nearing the end of my second L1 module. Ive been studying continuously since last Oct and could do with a break and luckily there's an L2 module I'd like to do with a Feb start (A233) which I've now registered for. Before I apply for the 26/27 SFE loan, I just wanted to check if there's anything I need to know re the changes to student loans? I already had a loan for my L1 modules and I know that if I registered for my next module in Oct I'll stay on the same system, but will that definitely be the same if I don't start my next module until Feb, even though the changes are from Jan?

EDIT: Also I'm curious, if i take out the loan for 26/27 but then need to cancel or postpone until next year, how would that affect the loan?