A chance to work and find your goal

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), August 19, 2003

Studying with the Open University can help to develop confidence, expand your interests or gain promotion, as well as change careers, according to course leaders.

Since students are able to earn while learning, they have the advantage of being able to immediately apply the knowledge they gain in their work environments.

A spokeswoman for the Open University said: "Seven in every 10 OU students take courses while continuing to work.

"More than 300 flexible courses are available, ranging from short 12-week tasters to postgraduate degrees and come in every subject from computing and French to engineering and history.

"Students study from home or work in their own time, supported by specially-designed course materials and a personal tutor who is available by phone or e-mail to answer any questions.

"There's also the opportunity on some courses to meet other students at tutorials or day schools. The course materials include books, videos and tapes, and some courses also offer on-line learning."

Anyone can take up an OU course. One well known student was Newcastle United goalie Steve Harper, who studied social science.

Steve was able to fit the course in around his footballing career and enjoyed exercising his brain in the classroom as well as his body on the field.

Steve said: "I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Open University, undertaking an introduction to the social sciences: understanding social change course.

"When I first started, I got the mickey taken out of me by the lads, but didn't mind that.

"I felt like I was wasting my brain, so I went back to education and started the course."

Help with fees is available for most courses if you are on certain benefits or a low income.

Advice is available at every step of the way; careers advisers are available at the regional office for one-to-one consultations, and there are a range of on-line toolkits and career planners, and printed booklets and taster packs.

The Open University's flexible approach means that students can tailor a qualification to meet their needs, or choose individual courses to suit their interests.

To find out how The Open University could transform your life, visit the website at www.open.ac.uk or ring 0191 284 1611.