OU degree study available at Fife College
The Open University (OU) and Fife College have announced a new pathway to help local students get their degree without leaving the area. The partnership means that College students who have completed an HND in Social Sciences will be able to transfer that credit to the OU and complete an honours degree in social sciences with the OU in just one year by studying at the College.
Steve McGeever, Partnerships Manager at the OU in Scotland, said:
“The Open University and Fife College share a fundamental belief that where you start in life shouldn’t limit where you go. This partnership gives students another route into university, one which is flexible and allows students to balance study with work and family commitments, building on our joint commitment to making higher education accessible to all.”
Iain Hawker, Assistant Principal Quality and Academic Partnerships, said:
“Fife College sees partnership working with university partners as a priority and key to supporting the learner pathway for our students and the wider Fife economy. The launch this academic session of the BA (Hons) Social Sciences degree in our Kirkcaldy campus builds on a positive and long-standing partnership with The Open University.”
Ann Playford, University Partnership Co-ordinator, added:
“Our students are experiencing huge benefits from the partnership including access to both Fife College and Open University resources and support, saving money without having to travel outwith Fife to attend a university, maintaining their previous home and work commitments and continuing studying with the same groups of friends in familiar and friendly surroundings. It has huge benefits and the students are really enjoying the course.”
Twelve students will be studying through the new pathway in its first year with many more expected to participate in future years. Students will be supported through their OU study by an existing college lecturer.
Students on the course are enthusiastic about progressing on to the OU following completion of their HND.
Shannon Reekie, one of the students, said:
“I chose The Open University as it allowed me to study in a flexible way. As a carer for a family member, it can be difficult to leave the house, especially on the days when I am needed to help at home. Studying the degree at Fife College gives me the chance to work around this. I have really enjoyed the wide range of study material the university offers, as this allows for various study techniques. The materials provided are engaging and interesting which is making the degree exciting to study.”
The project builds on the existing partnership between the OU and the College, which provides opportunities for students studying a wide range of subjects at HNC/HND level to progress on to degree-level study with the OU.
For further details, visit our course pages or call 0344 248 0115.
