What do students think of YASS | Young Applicants in Schools Scheme

From reaping the benefits of independent learning to helping with their university applications, YASS study offers students all kinds of benefits

Krysia Trewick, YASS student
Krysia is taking 3 AS levels in English Language, Ethics and Philosophy. She chose to take the nine month Open University course W100 “Introduction to Law” as Law AS level is not offered at her school.

“I’m interested in law as it affects our everyday lives. Ideally I’d like to become a barrister in the future. I really enjoy the flexibility of the Open University which allows me to pick and choose when I study and for how long.

So far I’ve attended every tutorial on the course and they’ve proved to be really good for discussions. Our session on the Bulger case was really fascinating for me as I was too young to appreciate the implications of the case at the time when it happened.”

Sarah Marshall, YASS student
Sarah is taking 3 AS levels Biology, Psychology and English Literature alongside the nine month Open University module "An Introduction to the Social Sciences" (DD101). She is hoping to pursue a career in either criminal or education psychology in the future.

“My Open University module gives a greater dimension to my studies and there’s lots of sociology in the course which isn’t covered by any of my A levels.

My tutor’s been great, I can ring her at anytime which is really handy. I’ve also been attending tutorials which is great for getting different takes on topics. I also really like having the freedom to study when and where I like – which is usually Sunday for me or when there’s nothing good on TV!”

Emily Askew, YASS student
Emily is taking 4 AS levels Maths, Further Maths, Sociology Spanish along with the nine month Open University module "Data, Computing and Information" (M150). She chose the module to enable her to look at maths in a computing context and to help with her application to study maths and Spanish at university.

“The Open University module has helped me learn how to organise my time and work more independently. I’m also much more confident now with a computer than I was before.

I tend to ring or email my tutor as I can’t get to many of the face to face tutorials. The online forums are also good for seeing what other people are thinking and where they’re up to.”

Suzanne Watson, YASS student
Suzanne is a classroom assistant who left school after year 12. She studied the nine month course "An Introduction to Social Sciences" (DD100) when she was 17 and really liked the Open University way of study.

On recently returning from travelling in Thailand she’s decided to complete her English degree with the Open University with a view to becoming an English and Drama teacher.

“The materials and resources are excellent, very high quality and with clear explanations. Two of my friends are now also doing Open University courses which is great news!”

Michael Callaghan, YASS student
Michael took the short course "Start Writing Fiction" (A174). He is currently taking 4 AS levels in Media Studies, English Language, Biology and Psychology and is hoping to have a career in a drama-related field.

“I loved my Open University module as it allowed me to be creative. I started it in November and finished it in January which fitted in well with my school work.

I followed the course calendar as closely as I could and really liked having the flexibility to work on assignments over the Christmas holidays. My second assignment gave me the option to write a short story or a chapter for a novel which was brilliant.

I was really pleased and proud when I passed and would definitely do it again!”

Steve Allen, YASS student
"The course could be completed in my spare time over the summer at a pace tailored to fit in with my extra-curricular activities.

It has been challenging at times but chiefly highly informative, interesting and stimulating. To a large extent I feel that it has given me a firm foundation for A Level Chemistry, whilst being advantageous for my personal statement and university applications to Pharmacy. "