Press Releases
New Route to Chemistry Degrees Offered – University of Reading
Release Date : 25 September 2007
Students in the Berkshire region can gain a Chemistry degree by studying for two years part-time followed by two years full-time, under a new "2+2" scheme that aims to increase opportunities and attract more students into science.
The University of Reading University is one of six universities that are working with The Open University (OU) to offer this alternative way of gaining an honours degree.
The 2+2 scheme aims to encourage more people into Chemistry, which the Government has identified as strategically important, but vulnerable due to insufficient applicants.
Students will be able to start the scheme by joining the OU with no formal qualifications. Progression to the University of Reading is conditional upon successful completion of their OU studies.
"This partnership will provide an alternative route for students to experience University education and the skills it provides for life" said Dr David Stirling, Faculty Director of Teaching and Learning at the University of Reading. "As soon as students join the scheme they will be given a personal tutor at the University of Reading who will be in regular contact whilst they are studying with the OU. When students join the University in the second year there will be dedicated support for them to smooth the transition into their new environment. This route allows students to prove they are successful in academic study before they take it up full-time".
Students who join the scheme will begin by studying at home with support from OU tutors. "This means students can study when and where it suits them", said Dr Hazel Rymer, Associate Dean of Science at the OU. "We expect many students will be in full-time or part-time work while they study with the OU."
During their OU study students will maintain the link with Reading University by attending special events.
After students have successfully completed their OU study, they will join with other Chemistry students at Reading University. Successful students will gain a BSc (Hons) Chemistry degree from the University of Reading.
The Royal Society of Chemistry, which is backing the scheme, said it was an ideal route for people without the usual entry qualifications and it will equip students to meet the opportunities and challenges of a career in Chemistry.
Anyone interested in taking part in the scheme should contact Dr Joanne Elliott, j.m.elliott@rdg.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 118 378 6342.
Media Contacts:
University of Reading: Lucy Ferguson, media@reading.ac.uk +44 (0) 1183 787388
The Open University: Neil Coaten n.d.coaten@open.ac.uk +44 (0) 1908 652580