Has anyone started an OU course this term?
I've just begun an education unit with the view to doing an MA in Education. Been getting a headstart on it as I'm also starting a music unit in February. Really enjoying it so far, but I'm about to face writing the first assignment so that may change!

Hi Clare, which course are you starting in feb? I am starting in feb too with the OU I have heard only positive things from people here about the courses.

Dan

I'm starting L193 (Beginners' German) at the start of November. I tutor on M257, which started last week, so at least by having the course starts staggered by a month I shouldn't end up having to do assignments for L193 and mark for M257 at the same time.

I'm still toying with the idea of doing the upper intermediate German course, L203...

I dunno if I'd be jumping too far in the deep end though. My German is a little out of practise, and I've not done anything OU-ey before. Its a lot of money too...

Did you check the financial eligibility checker?

Hi Dan,

I think it's called Performances and Repertoires....something like that anyway! I'm looking forward to it as I'm really enjoying the education course that I'm doing at the moment.
Which course are you starting in feb?

Clare

Do you mean A871? I did it as part of the OU Music MA and I enjoyed it so much. Having the freedom to do your own research and choose your own topic (under specified headings and themes) was so exciting and rewarding. It was my favourite from the three MA modules. You'll have a plate full though if you're doing another course alongside it. Good luck

Great, I'm looking forward to it even more now My current course is very very theory-based so I'll enjoy getting back to studying music. I took a performance practice unit in my undergrad degree but it was very limited to the Baroque period which didn't exactly appeal to me, being a clarinettist! As for balancing two courses at once, I hope I can manage it. I'm a month ahead on my current course as I started early to try to relieve some of the pressure later on.

Clare

I'm currently doing SK185 (Molecules, medicines and drugs), starting SK124 (Understanding the autism spectrum) in a couple of weeks and possibly S104 (Exploring science) in February. I've decided to do a science undergraduate course though am considering doing the MA in Music when I finish that, which is likely to be a few years off yet. It says your degree does not necessarily need to be in music as long as you have appropriate experience - I'm intending to take the Trinity theory diplomas after grade 8 and hopefully should be approaching or at diploma standard in my instruments by the time I'm looking at doing the MA. Does anyone who's done any of the OU MA in music courses think it would be possible without a music undergraduate degree, based on my musical aims above?

I don't know how much essay writing is involved in science modules, but you will need to be happy with almost continuous essay writing for three years to do the OU MA in Music. The OU will expect the student to be able to develop an academic critical approach in writing which should go beyond the merely descriptive. So yes - you will need a solid musical background in theory, which you have, but it is not an assessed part of the course. However, you might use something theoretical as part of an analysis to support your arguments. You will be developing musicological skills and performance is not assessed either. Any experience you have though can be very helpful.

So basically, the first year A870 is TMAs and an exam at the end, which teaches you the techniques for music research. A871 is TMA based (about 2,000 words each) plus a project of 5,000 words. The final A877 dissertation year is about 16,000 to 18,000 words. The fun part of it all is being able to choose your own topics based on your own interests and experience. I'm sure you would be fine with it

I've just started a digital phography course - iit's T189. No particular reason for doing it other than I take loads of photos and would like to improve.

Hallo

I've just "handed" my final bit of work in for my degree! Taking the winter off and before doing my secoond course for my Masters.