Open University

Maybe it differs from place to place, but IME a TA would take classes (usually seminars and labs) planned and written by others, but an AL would write modules and deliver lectures in her/his own right. A TA is likely to be a PG student, and an AL would be qualified. PhD students are expected to teach as part of their course, but aren't usually given AL status.

This sort of thing can vary, though.

I don't think my husband's university (or mine) had these.

Teaching Accociates did work which sounds like you described Doodledog - working as lecturers but not on a permanent contract. They were given hours as needed - sometimes semester to semester and nothing beyond that was guaranteed.

They tended to be postgraduate students (who did some short courses on teaching etc to help them) but in a busy field they may have already completed their PhD and be on the lookout for a permanent job.

I know my husband was involved with helping them with their development and he tried to help budding lecturers get a few hours if they were keen.

I was just curious as Audun said she was qualified to tutor as an Associate Lecturer. I think it was the "qualification" that made me wonder what it was.

I confess I'm still not clear - though I don't want to hijack the thread! (Sorry).

NotSpaghetti

Is an associate lecturer the same as a teaching associate?

No, it's the same job as a lecturer but you aren't 'on the books' as a permanent employee, and hours tend to vary from year to year depending on student numbers and staffing needs.

I wanted to do a geography degree purely for my own interest but the cost is prohibitive.I have social studies degree and certificate of education but wanted to get the brain cells working again.
So I am going to learn Italian at evening class, cheaper and more fun I hope!!

Is an associate lecturer the same as a teaching associate?

I did a BSc, a BAhons and a Masters and qualified to tutor as an Associate Lecturer. No help but worked as a home carer as well as other jobs to pay for my degrees but it changed my life. I wouldn't have missed it, and also read for a visually impaired student who was an amazing and inspirational woman, she was brilliant!

I did OU in 1980’s as a young mum. Can honestly say it changed my life - I couldn’t have accessed university education in any other way. But no grants and loans in those days and I didn’t find it easy to get the money together for the fees - our budget was very tight back then. Summer school was compulsory too - extra cost, travel expenses and finding someone to look after my daughter was a challenge. But I loved it all (with the possible exception of trying to do a 3 hour exam with leaky breasts and hungry 6-week old baby at home!). Back then, this was not a sufficient reason to delay sitting the exam apparently!

I got my OU degree in about 2010, I paid for at least half of it with Tesco Clubcard points! Those were the days you could get 4 X value for a lot of things.

I did an OU degree in the early 80s. I didn’t get any fees paid but several of my fellow students did.
Please do the courses if you can.It is a marvellous achievement and you will be really helped all the way through.

I have done an undergraduate certificate course with the Cambridge Institute. Run by Cambridge University, they are excellent. They are equivalent to half a first year degree course. They cost £3300 per year but I think they have some bursaries depending on income. I had a degree already so wasn't eligible for a loan and didn't want to spend so much on the OU.
I thoroughly enjoyed my course and have just signed up for another in September. Might be worth a look.

I started my OU Degree before the current fees rose to the higher amounts, so was able to finish it at the much reduced fees, which I got a bursary for through my LA (I’m a childminder) & the bursaries are no longer available, so I paid a minimal amount in fees.
I then went on to do a MA which I got postgraduate student loan for. I pay off a minimal amount currently as still working, but when I retire completely I don’t expect to pay anymore towards it.
I would go for it, I thoroughly enjoyed studying with them.

The bit that put me off was first year credits & mandatory attending their campus for a few weeks as I was working as my firms only Salaries person.

Grandmotherto8

I did an OU degree back in the early 1980s. A single credit course was just a few hundred pounds. Total bargain!

Yes, it was excellent - but that was the point of the OU.
Now it is for many of us, sadly, unaffordable and effectively just another 'Uni'.

I did an OU degree back in the early 1980s. A single credit course was just a few hundred pounds. Total bargain!

I’m on my second degree with the OU. The first one I paid for as I was working! This one I received student funding… I’m 75 and was advised I wouldn’t have to pay as my income not enough!

I doubt any fee reduction at the OU - they lost at least 2 tribunal rulings, and perhaps more where agreement has been reached.
Go for it, but be wary of the pushing of gender identity in some courses.

Depending on when you plan to start, you need to keep an eye on what happens based on this policy paper:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/lifelong-learning-entitlement-lle-overview/lifelong-learning-entitlement-overview

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) will transform the post-18 student finance system to create a single funding system. It will replace:

* higher education student finance loans
* advanced learner loans

From September 2026, learners will be able to apply for LLE funding for the first time for courses and modules starting from January 2027 onwards.

Note it says:

Learners who are over 60 may still qualify for maintenance support, though not a tuition fee loan.

forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6547548/over-60-s-loss-of-student-loans

LoisH

This might be a bit of a cheeky question…..but I was thinking about doing a OU degree course and in order to do it, requesting a student loan for the fees, if that is possible. Does anyone know, if you are just on a pension below the income cut off line….would you ever have to repay it?

No you don't earn enough...the loan would never be repaid

According to UCAS,
Tuition Fee Loans cover the cost of your undergraduate course fees and are paid directly to the university or college.

There’s no age limit on eligibility for Tuition Fee Loans. Anyone can apply, providing that they’re going to be studying for their first undergraduate degree.

I don't think the OU is any different re Fee Loans.

Student maintenance loans are different. In England you need to be under 60.

commonslibrary.parliament.uk/student-support-for-the-over-60s/#:~:text=A%20tuition%20fee%20loan%20is,PhDs%20or%20doctoral%20level%20courses.

I bet their site tells you all you need to know.

Well that's a very interesting question and I would love to know the answer!