Distance Learning Case Study: Peter Kiely

The RAF has been Peter Kiely's life, starting in the Combined Cadet Force at school, joining the RAF at 19 and now an officer in the RAF Volunteer Reserve Training Branch. Now aged 44, he began his OU studies while his work in Germany on the Harrier GR7 flight simulator was delayed.
'I had blown my A levels when I was in the 6th form and since I had never taken the chance to go to college, while in the Service, the time seemed right to take on an OU course. Also, there were around five other colleagues studying for an OU degree at the time. I didn't feel isolated, we were there helping and supporting each other,' he said.
The OU's system of open supported learning allows students to continue to work as well as study because its courses are designed for people to study when it suits them, at home or at work. Personal contact and support comes through locally based tutors and, because Kiely was based in Germany, the tutors travelled to him for tutorials.
He started with the Discovering science foundation course that introduced him to a range of topics from global warming to the origin of life, and from genetics to volcanoes. 'I really enjoyed it, especially the chemistry elements. I'm quite confident with sciences even though I had to work hard on the earth science side,' he added.
OU courses cover the same areas as conventional universities. Students chose from over 360 undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the arts, modern languages, social sciences, health and social welfare, mathematics and computing, technology, business and management, education and law.
Kiely concentrated his focus on maths and sciences. 'I was a bit apprehensive about essay writing so I chose what I knew best. I needed to improve my writing skills quickly on one particular course.
'From my experience, if you can plan your study time you are halfway there. I was able to fit my study in depending if I was working, days or evening.'
Still maintaining flight simulators, he is now happily working for a French company called Thales. 'Apart from my job I enjoy the work with the cadets. We do activities such as hill walking, gliding, and even some academic work.'
Earlier this year he graduated with a BSc honours degree at a ceremony in Glasgow. Kiely concludes that: 'It took seven years to achieve my degree but it was worth it.'