open university courses, which ones to take??

**orinoco** · 15-09-2009, 12:51 PM

Hi, is anyone using open uni credits for entry to medicine? I know some universities accept 120 credits in lieu of a levels but does anyone know if these need to be at level 2 or all science subjects? I have almost completed the Exploring Science s104 module and am about to start sk277 Human biology. Those two courses will give me 90 points but I need another 30 point course and am not sure what to do! I was thinking to do open maths but this is only level 1. I have emailed some unis but no one has replied yet and I need to book the course! Any help or advice is much appreciated

**terrified_tony** · 15-09-2009, 03:27 PM

I can't help, but have you tried ringing the uni's? I assume the admissions will be still dealing with fresher issues! but have always found the people who work in such departments to be very friendly!

**hannieb** · 15-09-2009, 03:35 PM

what about one of the management type ones? would be good for you to demonstrate knowledge of management issues when you're applying for jobs further down the road, and there will be lots of it that's transferable to medicine..,.

**emily_1978** · 15-09-2009, 04:41 PM

Hey ... i also did OU courses in place of A levels. I did S103 discovering science (which might have been replaced by the one you took), human biology and various short level 1 courses in health related subjects - nutrition, human genome, 'fats for life', diabetes care. It wasn't ever really clear to me which ones to take, because the universities all had different requirements and didn't state anything clearly on their websites. The courses that i've done cover science subjects to at least A2 level and am hoping the unis i'm applying to will accept them!
At the moment, also taking level 2, 30 point course called 'science in context'.

After a quick search, Nottingham uni state that they require:
◦S104 Discovering Science - 80% pass with commendation
◦SK277 - Human Biology - 80% pass with commendation
◦Another course (30 points) - 80% pass with commendation

St George's state that:
Open University: We will consider 120 OU credits. 60 OU credits must be ‘Exploring Science’ and a 30 credit module, which must be either ‘Human Biology’ or ‘Biology, Uniformity and Diversity’. You will also need an additional 30 credits which can be made up of smaller 10 credit modules. Please note: All results must be received and verified by us by 1 September of the year of entry and candidates studying with the Open University should bear this in mind.

I can't find any other info! Which unis are you applying to?

**emily_1978** · 15-09-2009, 05:02 PM

A little more info ...
Lancaster:
Open University modules
-Compulsory Units: S104 (Exploring Science), Level 1=60 points; SK277 (Human Biology) Level 2 = 30
points
-One of the following modules must also be taken:
SDK 125 (Introducing Health Sciences), Level 1 = 30 points
S205 (The Molecular World), Level 2 = 60 points
SD 226 (Biological psychology; exploring the brain), Level 2 = 30 points
S320 (Infectious Disease), Level 3 = 30 points
S377 (Molecular and Cell Biology), Level 3 = 30 points
SD329 (Signals and Perception), Level 3 = 30 points
-The Admissions Tutor will comment on a pre-application curriculum vitae.

Imperial:
Please note we do not accept Foundation, Access, Open University or BTEC courses for entry to our Biomedical Science degree.

Hull York:
GCSE English and Maths at grade A. 120 points of OU courses all at Pass II, Compulsory Unit S104 Exploring Science Level 1 = 60 points
Plus a further 60 points (including at least 30 at level 2) derived from the modules below
SK277 Human Biology, Level 2 = 30 points
S320 Infectious Disease, Level 3 = 30 points
S204 Biology; uniformity and diversity, Level 2 = 60 points
S205 The Molecular World, Level 2 = 60 points
SXR270 Investigative Biology (Residential), Level 2 = 10 points
SXR103 Practising Science (Residential), Level 1 = 10 points
S151 Maths for Science, Level 1 = 10 points
SK183 Understanding Human Nutrition, Level 1 = 10 points
SK195 Human Genetics and Health Issues, Level 1 = 10 points
SXR205 Exploring the Molecular World (Residential), Level 2 = 10 points

Cambridge: Certain Access and Open University courses may meet the GCSE and/or A level requirements, in whole or part. You should discuss any courses you have taken or are considering taking, with a Cambridge Admissions Tutor.

Barts: Qualifications which do not meet our entry requirements:
◦Open University course credits

Best to contact the unis that you're applying to

**Britney** · 17-09-2009, 01:32 PM

Im hoping to do Open University Courses, thanks for this information. xx

**mattard** · 16-12-2009, 07:20 PM

Are Open University courses respected by other "traditional" unis?

**music_geek** · 02-01-2010, 03:03 AM

I am planning to apply based on Open University courses and have contacted the admissions departments of all the unis that offer 5 year (6 for oxbridge) medical courses. I have either found out from the website or been given the green light by the admissions tutor for 7 unis so far and am waiting for 3/4 now (one of whom have asked for further info which is a good sign...). Basically you need S104 and SK227 and then one other science course (or arts course for Nottingham). You will need to get a distinction in each course though, which means getting 85%, so no pressure! If you want any more info on what different uni's have said, then feel free to PM me.