YASS We Can!
If you are in S5, and thinking about going on to University why not consider taking an Open University course to top up your S6 studies next year. Many schools across Scotland are now offering The Open University’s Young Applicants in Schools Scheme (YASS). With a record number of applicants competing for a limited number of university places, YASS could be the answer to ensuring your UCAS application stands out from the crowd.
There are many different courses available, many that are not part of your school’s curriculum – YASS offers the ideal introduction not only to your chosen subject of study at university, but also to studying independently. We spoke to three students about how it helped them:
Environmentally Friendly
Marine Dufeu
Medical Marvel
Marine Dufeu turned to YASS when she realised she couldn’t study Advanced Higher Geography at her school. She opted to take Open University course, ‘Working with our Environment’ and has never looked back.
“It definitely helped me with study skills,” she agrees. “I’m much better at critical reading now. I can pinpoint exactly what I need to do, without wasting time like I used to. The preparatory work before the course helped too, especially because I’ve never been that good at English.”
Marine found studying with the OU suited her well and thought the support system was useful for exchanging information and getting feedback from other students.
“The OU course has given me a wide range of new skills and knowledge. It will definitely give me a head start for going to uni.”
“I would recommend the OU to others going into S6. It is a really good base for anyone wanting to go on to university after school because it all follows on. You learn about things you just don’t get taught at school.”
Ala Noaman
St Andrews High School
Journalistic Ambition
Ala Noaman had applied to study the very competitive degree of Medicine at St Andrews University when he discovered that his school offered The Open University’s YASS. He saw it as an ideal way to prepare for his future degree alongside his Advanced Highers in Chemistry, Biology and Maths.
“My guidance teacher suggested that I do an OU course as a way to get ready for university and to give me another qualification,” he explains. “I chose ‘Molecules, Medicine and Drugs’ because it ties in with what I’m going to be studying.”
Not only did this course cover some of the areas that would be explored at medical school, but it also improved his time management skills and helped him to juggle his busy workload. It wasn’t until Ala attended an interview for his place that he discovered that studying with the OU helped him to stand out from other applicants and is convinced that it made a difference.
“At the interview, they saw the OU course in the list of qualifications on my application form and asked me about it. They seemed genuinely interested because they hadn’t heard about it before, and asked me some questions to test me which was a bit scary! They seemed really pleased because it was an extra qualification related to medicine. I’m sure it did help me get accepted.
Amy Errington
Biggar High School
With aspirations of becoming a journalist, specialising in politics, and a confirmed place on a journalism and politics degree programme at Stirling University, Amy Errington opted to further her knowledge by studying OU course ‘An Introduction to Law in Contemporary Scotland’ through YASS .
“Because I’m going to study journalism and politics I knew it would give me some knowledge about law which will be a big part of my university course.”
As she hoped, the course has given her an insight into Scottish law which will serve as a useful introduction to her journalism and politics degree. It has also helped with her school work.
“Because I’m going on to do politics I enjoyed that side most, looking at parliamentary law. I definitely took most notice of that! I can apply things I’ve learned to my modern studies course at school now too.”
As well as the academic grounding the course has given her, Amy also felt that studying with the OU has given her an invaluable insight into independent learning; one of the main reasons she opted to study with the Open University.
“The thing that was most different to school was probably that I had to teach myself, having to commit myself to sitting down and doing it,” she comments. “I’ve really enjoyed it. The course materials were brilliant as was the support you get. I would definitely study with the OU again if it came up in the future.”
Why choose YASS?
- It will help your UCAS application to stand out
- It will help with the transition from school to university
- It will build up your ability to work independently
- You will develop excellent study and organisational skills
- There is an excellent support system
- You will study with Britain’s major e-learning institution
- You will have access to a vast array of online resources and info
- Diverse range of courses available
How much will it cost?
If you are 16 or over you can apply for an ILA Scotland learner account to pay for your course.
GET IN TOUCH
To find out more information, or check whether you school offers YASS, call Carla Munro on
0131 226 3851
The OU is Scotland’s top University for overall student satisfaction*
*according to the National Student Survey 2010