I started at the Open a few years back, trying to get some qualifications for a career in IT. Despite the jokes about 70s sideburns and flares, it's actually a very good place to study; the course materials are excellent and the tutors are very helpful. I took a year out of OU study to gain my MCSE. The Microsoft Certification route seemed a better bet for landing a job at the time, although now I'm not so sure. If you're looking for something to keep you off the streets I can wholeheartedly recommend it. Visit the home of UK distance learning at The Open University. From here, you can read the online prospectus and even register for courses.

Quick tips for studying at the Open:

1. Keep up to date with the coursework! I can't stress this point enough. I know, I know, easier said than done, but it's the one thing that can make the difference between enjoying your study and finding the whole thing a complete drain. I failed to follow this advice last year for M206 Computing: An Object-Oriented Approach and spent most of the year moaning, vowing never to return to adult education. I was only lured back because I managed to score 94% in the exam, and I figured it was worthwile keeping up the only thing I appear to be good at.

2. Beware of the "Minimum Entrance requirements" which are listed in the Prospectus. Although you don't need any formal qualifications for OU study, you need some background knowledge as a prerequiste. What the Open recommends as the minimum standard is the absolute rock bottom needed to finish the year. Try and bring some more info with you, or you'll be going "Doh!" from registration till Christmas.

3. 60 point courses are not double the work of a 30 pointer. Often they're about the same, so if you want to graduate quickly (who doesn't), these are a smart choice.

4. The Exam is the single most important aspect of your eventual grade, particularly for Maths and Sciences. When your overall continuous assesment and exam are marked, the lowest grade in either unit becomes your final score. As your coursework will invariably be better than a rushed 3 hour script, the latter is what determines your pass/fail mark. Ergo, that's what you should concentrate on.

5. Always contact your Tutor with a simple query just before handing in an assignment. They'll usually alert you of potential pitfalls on the paper.

6. Despite the Draconian warnings, most Tutors will give you a week's extension on request. Just make sure you keep them informed and have a good lie prepared.