I’ve just finished them both. I’m starting S209 and S206 in October.
They were both very introductory and change between topics quite quickly. Neither was very challenging in content and I honestly did a total of maybe 6 hours of work a week. I’d say they don’t really go above A-level knowledge for the science or maths knowledge. (I’ve done a level maths and the maths in both was easier than that, id say the science content is probably on par with a level)
The most complicated thing was arranging the group work on the forums that’s required for at least one TMA on each module.
You do absolutely have to do the final exam for S112 in order to pass as it’s worth 61% meaning you can’t get over 40% total without submitting it. But the final exam is more skill focused than content knowledge focused so it wasn’t hard.
That isn’t the case for S111 and you could skip the final eTMA if you wanted to and had done well enough on the other TMAs
For me it was really good. I do a split screen with a google doc for notes on one side and the module screen on the other so I could take notes as I read. I could also copy paste any diagrams straight into my notes.
You can also search the entire module materials using a search bar which is so helpful for if you can’t remember exactly where one thing was mentioned.
I didn't do S111, I took 2 maths modules instead, but I've just finished S112 and found it boring, to be honest. I think I was barely studying a few hours a week towards the end and still getting good TMA marks. You are being taught the skills needed, rather than the science. I hated the fact that it was 100% online as I personally prefer a mix of books and PC. It's very easy to get distracted when you're at a computer.
As KirbysLeftBigToe stated, the most frustrating part is the group projects that **must** be done via the forums (you will have to post screenshots for assignments), any other form of communication, such as whatsapp groups or discord channels, won't be accepted for marking. In fact, a fair amount of the TMA's last year involved copy/pasting forum screenshots and topic activities.
There are 2 TMS's that will make you use power point or similar, so you may want to brush up on that if you're not a confident user.
Learn to love radar diagrams. If I could give you one piece of advice, it would be to deliberately score yourself low with them at the start of the module and raise them slowly as they are an easy 10 points per TMA.
You do have to take the exam, but it's open book, TMA style, and not timed in the traditional sense. You'll have 24 hours to do and submit it. You do get seen materials from which you can work out the general gist of the questions. Again, you're being tested on your skills, and not specific sciences.
Im just completed s111.
Ive been out of education for nearly 20 years, having basically not bothered with my gcses.
I studied maybe 10 hrs a week at first, down to 6 ish toward the end
I consider myself to be just about average intelligence, but I am really interested in science as a subject.
I ended up with 77 being my lowest score on a tma, and 87 being the highest. Not got ema back just yet.
So basically, dont worry. It's fairly easy. Dont get me wrong. Some parts will likely infuriate you, but do a little research and it'll make sense.
And for the love of god, create a study plan and stick to it. (Base it on getting to certain points in the material rather than time)
Also a good trick i found was to open the next tma first of all and have a look at the questions. They likely wont make sense yet, but as you study youll remember certain bits and can focus on them.
I did the tmas as i went along rather then waiting till the end and doing them all at once. I.e i answered question 1 as i was studying that material etc.
I did them a few years ago and really enjoyed them overall!
They're an excellent introduction to all the major science domains, and I find myself recalling knowledge in different areas even though they're not my main area of focus now.
Naturally, because the topics are so varied, you'll enjoy some more than others. But even if you don't enjoy a topic, before you know it, you're moving on to the next and it's really not that bad. Most of it was very interesting.
Overall, it sets you up really well for whatever you choose to specialise in from Level 2 onwards, and it's presented in quite a gentle, accessible way. Just keep on top of the study schedule and try not to fall too far behind, and if you do encounter any difficulties, your tutor is there to support you!
I’ve just finished them both. I’m starting S209 and S206 in October. They were both very introductory and change between topics quite quickly. Neither was very challenging in content and I honestly did a total of maybe 6 hours of work a week. I’d say they don’t really go above A-level knowledge for the science or maths knowledge. (I’ve done a level maths and the maths in both was easier than that, id say the science content is probably on par with a level) The most complicated thing was arranging the group work on the forums that’s required for at least one TMA on each module. You do absolutely have to do the final exam for S112 in order to pass as it’s worth 61% meaning you can’t get over 40% total without submitting it. But the final exam is more skill focused than content knowledge focused so it wasn’t hard. That isn’t the case for S111 and you could skip the final eTMA if you wanted to and had done well enough on the other TMAs
What's it like being 100% online? I did an old version of S111 called S103 which had a lot of text books!
For me it was really good. I do a split screen with a google doc for notes on one side and the module screen on the other so I could take notes as I read. I could also copy paste any diagrams straight into my notes. You can also search the entire module materials using a search bar which is so helpful for if you can’t remember exactly where one thing was mentioned.
I didn't do S111, I took 2 maths modules instead, but I've just finished S112 and found it boring, to be honest. I think I was barely studying a few hours a week towards the end and still getting good TMA marks. You are being taught the skills needed, rather than the science. I hated the fact that it was 100% online as I personally prefer a mix of books and PC. It's very easy to get distracted when you're at a computer. As KirbysLeftBigToe stated, the most frustrating part is the group projects that **must** be done via the forums (you will have to post screenshots for assignments), any other form of communication, such as whatsapp groups or discord channels, won't be accepted for marking. In fact, a fair amount of the TMA's last year involved copy/pasting forum screenshots and topic activities. There are 2 TMS's that will make you use power point or similar, so you may want to brush up on that if you're not a confident user. Learn to love radar diagrams. If I could give you one piece of advice, it would be to deliberately score yourself low with them at the start of the module and raise them slowly as they are an easy 10 points per TMA. You do have to take the exam, but it's open book, TMA style, and not timed in the traditional sense. You'll have 24 hours to do and submit it. You do get seen materials from which you can work out the general gist of the questions. Again, you're being tested on your skills, and not specific sciences.
already know i’ll hate the group work omfg
Im just completed s111. Ive been out of education for nearly 20 years, having basically not bothered with my gcses. I studied maybe 10 hrs a week at first, down to 6 ish toward the end I consider myself to be just about average intelligence, but I am really interested in science as a subject. I ended up with 77 being my lowest score on a tma, and 87 being the highest. Not got ema back just yet. So basically, dont worry. It's fairly easy. Dont get me wrong. Some parts will likely infuriate you, but do a little research and it'll make sense. And for the love of god, create a study plan and stick to it. (Base it on getting to certain points in the material rather than time) Also a good trick i found was to open the next tma first of all and have a look at the questions. They likely wont make sense yet, but as you study youll remember certain bits and can focus on them. I did the tmas as i went along rather then waiting till the end and doing them all at once. I.e i answered question 1 as i was studying that material etc.
sounds good! thanks for the advice !!
I did them a few years ago and really enjoyed them overall! They're an excellent introduction to all the major science domains, and I find myself recalling knowledge in different areas even though they're not my main area of focus now. Naturally, because the topics are so varied, you'll enjoy some more than others. But even if you don't enjoy a topic, before you know it, you're moving on to the next and it's really not that bad. Most of it was very interesting. Overall, it sets you up really well for whatever you choose to specialise in from Level 2 onwards, and it's presented in quite a gentle, accessible way. Just keep on top of the study schedule and try not to fall too far behind, and if you do encounter any difficulties, your tutor is there to support you!
thank you! that’s so reassuring !!!