Flexible learning hits the right notes

AT 19, Gareth Hand’s dream of becoming a music teacher seemed far off — he was a teaching assistant at a secondary school without a degree.

What’s more, with a mortgage to pay and performing as a percussionist all over the world, for him going to university full-time was not an option.

Instead, Gareth, now 23, from Derbyshire, started a BA ( Hons) Open University degree in music in 2013.

Students can pick and mix modules for an Open degree, so Gareth chose music modules for half his course.

He says: ‘I was lucky in that I began performing at a very high level from the age of 17. I wouldn’t have been able to continue doing this if it wasn’t for the flexibility of the Open University.

‘My life was working, rehearsals and concert performances in places as far away as Dubai, Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore. We also played the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Music man: Gareth Symphony Hall in Birmingham and the Sage Gateshead.’

Travelling meant that Gareth had to take his study materials with him, reading on planes and doing assignments in hotel rooms. He graduated in September 2017.

Now in the process of completing his teacher training, he hopes to be qualified soon and realise his dream of being a music teacher.

He’s also planning to continue his studies, with an MA in music at the Open University.

The Open University launches a BA Music degree this autumn. For details, visit open.ac.uk