A new way to study chemistry

A new degree that combines part-time and full-time study offers students an alternative route to a chemistry degree, and could help widen participation in chemistry in higher education. Developed over the past three years by the Open University (OU) in collaboration with the Universities of Loughborough, Nottingham Trent, Reading and Sheffield, the '2plus2' scheme mixes distance learning with full-time study at a campus university. 

In the first two years of the scheme students study part-time at home with the OU through its programme of supported distance learning. During this initial stage students develop a thorough grounding in chemistry and maths, and each year take part in one-week residential schools to gain practical experience. Having successfully completed their OU studies, students join the second year of the BSc chemistry course at their chosen partner universities and study full-time for the remaining two years of the degree programme. Each university has staff dedicated to helping students on the 2plus2 scheme make the transition from part-time to full-time study.