__TJ__

ok, silly question here probs. I am studying an OU degree in psychology, i am able to continue doing this whilst in canada, BUT is a UK open univercity degree recognised in canada? would i have to take any equivalency? im doing a BSc hons. with a view to either a further two years study for a doctorate in psychology, or specialist training in educational psychology. im currently finishing year one of 4.

so basically, has anyone with an OU degree encountered resistance in canada, would it be easier to complete the current year study ( and poss next year if visa takes a while) then use hose two years as entry level for completeing the degree in canada, or do i stick with UK study even in canada and then apply for equivalency for the post grad?

thanks

Souvenir

Modular degrees/distance learing are quite common in North America (my wife is doing one), so the concept will not be unfamiliar. I suggest you have a look at the OU website. There is quite a lot on there about recognition/equivalency, including a leaflet with contact details for people and organisations that can give you the answers.

MarkSurrey

I don't know about in the job market, but OU degrees are recognised by CIC as degrees for immigration purposes. The only issue different to a "normal" degree is you have to get something from the OU to confirm how long the degree would have been had it been taken full time (so if you took 10 years to get the OU degree, they would need confirmation that it is equivalent to 3 years of full-time study).

I guess the same principle probably applies in other instances too, though that is just a guess.

Louisecooke

I also have an OU BSc (hons) Psych, though getting it was enough to put me off Psychology for life, so I've never used it. It has been recognised as a generic degree though over here, though you do have to explain to some people what it's all about!

Are you sure you can continue your studies in Canada with the OU? This is the list of courses available to Canada at the moment, none of the Psychology courses are on there

http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/countries/Canada.shtm

triumphguy

Any degree is likely to meet some resistance in Canada!
I have a law degree from London. I was told I would be credited with one year towards my Canadian degree. One of the courses I was told I would have to retake was Contract Law: the text - "Anson's Law of Contract." I had already studied contract law with the guy who edited that text - A.G, Guest!

I also had to take the LSAT.

A few years later the rules relaxed somewhat and all I would have had to do was take the bar exams.

Anyway: I did something totally different!

So, be prepared to be accredited.

shelley748

I can tell you for definite because I have just had my partial study with OU assessed by an Educational Credentials company in Guelph.

Yes it does have relevance-you will just have to get it assessed by a Canadian Educational assessment company, and they will give you a piece of paper that you then show to the prospective employer.

Its not cheap!

You have to get a copy of your transcript from the OU

Northernlass1

OU degrees count, they will do sealed transcripts if needed. You can only count the degree towards education points if you've got the qualification but you may not be counting on the degree.
Have you checked with OU if you can continue with the course in Canada....not all their courses are global and some of the Psych courses require compulsory summer school attendance in UK? You could do distance/online learning in Canada through a Canadain Uni and possibly (may not) gain credit for your study so far. You've no doubt sorted all this but thought I'd ask out of curiosity.

MarkSurrey

But isn't that what you'd expect with Law, given it's so jurisdiction specific?

I have a degree in Law from the UK, and I would never expect any other country to accord me the same treatment as someone who graduated in law from a University in that country. Even if they're both common law systems, the laws are just different.

I also have qualifications in Accountancy, Banking Regulation and in Tax, and I would expect to resit these or at least do a conversion. Accounting standards, bank regs and tax laws also being different.

Moggiemiss

As an ex tutor with the Open University, I do know that if you notify the Open University that you are living abroad you will have to pay overseas tuition rates. I believe that if you are already on course with a programme when you move, you will probably not be charged with additional fees.

Of course, there is a way around this .... if you can use an address in the UK to register from and have materials delivered to this address and forwarded to you ... need I say more?

ann m

I think most people happily anticipate some kind of conversion course would be expected. I gather many of the UK law graduates, however, get asked to randomly sit between 2 and 10 subjects again, with barely any rhyme nor reason given as to why there is such a discprepancy. And they study much the same stuff, based on English common law (see above, same text books and professors even). (And from anecdotal evidence on this forum, many of the UK lawyers believe their own training and in-depth knowledge on many aspects of law to be superior anyway ) .

Ducks out of conversation quickly

katie1962

Have just taken my OU details to University of Toronto to get it changed into Canadian equivalent. Needed copy of certificate and details of every course done with grade and requirements. This was for entry into teaching. Will find out next week - they didn't seem to think that itwould be a problem equating it to something equal in Canadian terms.
PS it was very expensive!

JAJ

The laws may be different, but at least in a common law jurisdiction, the basis of the law is the same.

That's not to say that there is no need for bridging/conversion study, but just ignoring the degree and expecting someone to re-qualify from scratch is plain protectionism.

__TJ__

thanks for that, yes as the course materials arrive in dribbs and drabbs tho it would be a pain. do-able tho. i have never needed the totorial support and none of my courses ahve a compulsory residential.

my main question is, do i get as many poibnts as possible then go to canada and pay (what seems like it will be a lot) to get it converted, or wait till i get there and hope my 1year entry level course will get me into a level 2 course over there. problem then occors if we dont stay, if i com home i dont want a half UK half canadian degree that wont help me on the road to doctorate which is my long term end goal.
ahh if only i could complete level 2 and 3 and gain 300 pts in one year... it would be so much easier if i had i sorted before i left

debbiem

If you know where you are going and which Uni you would be looking to 'finish' the course at, I would contact them directly with the details of your existing credits and ask for details of their credit transfer system, and what you would be expected to complete. I think each setting may have slightly different ideas (some courses have pre-entry requirements of first year modules for second/ third year modules etc).
Been looking around this myself as tempted by a phd (just turned one down here as we're heading over in the summer, gulp.) Having looked at the (Canadian) requirements lol, I'm not quite so tempted just now...

Northernlass1

Have you checked all the psych courses for OU because I'm pretty sure some do have compulsory residential summer school.....pretty sure cognitive in year 3 does and the BPS will only recognise a certain combination of courses otherwise you'll be awarded an Open degree only and won't be able to join the BPS and therefore can't work as a psychologist. Also to do a PhD with OU you usually have to relocate to Milton Keynes to do the research there. My advice would be to talk to a student advisor in your region so you can compare OU's career path with other Uni's.
If you are likely to return to UK you'll need to check that the BPS will be ok with a Canadian degree if you choose to take that route.
As a previous poster mentioned some students use UK address but live globally. OU covers UK and Europe (covered by the northeast region) for most courses and some IT or Masters students can be anywhere in the world provided their course is fully online.