Posted By Nicky Mernagh I posted recently asking about suitablility of the OU module T835 for an H&S role and for reaching GradIOSH, and I got great responses - thankyou! I would like to hear more about people's experiences of the Open University's postgrad modules that make up their MSc/PGD's in Environmental Decision Making or Safety, Health and Environmental Management (these courses have to include T835). I've been getting mixed messages about how tutorials are held. I understand that Postgrad works differently to undergrad, purely due to small numbers of Postgrad students, so this may be part of it. What are your experiences?

Posted By Nicky Mernagh Thanks Liesel, good positive experience. Did you do a Revision Weekend? I have talked to OU's Postgrad Office... I'm told its student forums on-line, and tutors pop-in & out. That you get regular contact with your tutor by phone and email (max 15students per tutor). And some on-line conferencing. (But no phone conferencing, which I find strange, use it all the time at work, and its not expensive.) But the student feedback on the OU website is less positive... anyone else add to Liesel's comments, or confirm my info from OU?

Posted By Liesel Nicky, with respect to the way the on-line collaboration works, bear in mind that some students don't get much out of it quite simply because they don't make much effort or put much into it. Same with any collaborative or group learning scenario, whether on-line or in person- those engage positively and with open mind get the most back. Again, the OU is definately NOT an "easy ride"- you have to put the effort in. But if you do, the support is there, the learning process is really good and I personally found the tutors and support really top-notch. However, if someone wanted an easy ride, wing their way through and to be spoon-fed- they wouldn't like it. You MUST collaborate and do assignments as they are all part of the way marks are allocated so you needs engage totally with course. Some students find that a little challenging IMO..... Interestingly, I am also finding that my current Nebosh Diploma studies are going much better thanks to the study and writing skills I learnt doing my OU Management Diploma. Lots of cross-over- the OU emphasis on core skills although irritating at the time has been extremely valuable in the real world.