Thoughts in my fifth year studying with the Open University

In 2022, I wrote about what it's like to study with the Open University. Now, in 2025 and in my fifth year, I've been reflecting on my studies so far and how my degree has evolved. My degree is a bachelor's degree studied part-time over six years.

A big change was moving from science-based modules to essay-based modules that are a mix of geography, sociology, economics, and more. I started with S111 (questions in science), then S112 (science: concepts and practice) - both introductory modules that covered broad natural sciences, ranging from environmental science to biology, physics, astrophysics, and chemistry. I found myself doing proper maths for the first time since school, conducting experiments, and answering questions that, generally, had a right or wrong answer. Next came S206 (environmental science), where I leant into my specialisms (ecosystems, carbon cycles, the climate crisis, hydrology, etc.). I think S206 has been discontinued now. All these modules required a lot of learning, knowing, and calculating, but not too much deep thinking.

Last year I decided to change the direction of my degree. I was happy with the three natural sciences modules I'd studied under Q64 (BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences) but wanted to pivot my learning towards the sociological, political, economic, and cultural aspects of the environment. If we want to change the way we relate to the natural world and mitigate the climate crisis and other environmental problems, knowing the science isn't enough. So, I changed to R16 (BSc (Honours) Geography and Environmental Science).

In year four, I studied DD213 (environment and society). This was a fascinating, wide-ranging module. One week I found myself studying fine art to examine changes in how we represent nature, the next I was deep-diving on industrialised chicken farming whilst considering the marketisation of nature. I read lots of fantastic books, like Carolyn Merchant's The Death of Nature and Rachel Carson's Silent Spring. DD213 brought essays back into my life. I hadn't written essays like that since college. I studied law in my first two degrees, which required long answers but usually not of the philosophical or sociological variety. It was interesting but very challenging to have to read widely, form opinions, and write convincing, long-form pieces of writing about hugely important topics like environmental justice whilst working full-time as a climate transition lawyer.

Me with the books I read for DD213

There were many times when I was frustrated that I didn't have enough headspace to engage fully with the topics I was covering. I'm pleased to have achieved a distinction, but I wanted to delve deeper into the social, cultural, political, and economic aspects of environmental problems. So, I moved to working four days a week instead of five before I started this year's module, DD319 (environmental policy in an international context, fondly known by its acronym EPIC).

So far, EPIC is living up to its name. We started with climate change policy, and not just which international agreements we have, but why and how. How do states reach agreement? Why do some states have more power than others in international negotiations, and what consequences does that have? What drives states' national and international priorities? What role does environmental justice play in all of this, and why is the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities so important? We've explored these questions in the context of climate change, ozone depletion, trade in endangered species, agri-food systems, and biodiversity loss. This week, we move on to global governance and CSR and from there to environmental activism and sustainable development before concluding with greening the state, citizenship, and the future.

Fridays are now for study

I've loved all my OU modules, but moving into policy and sociology has really fired my interest. I've been reading about the topics informally for years, and it's great to have a structured approach and the push to shepherd my thoughts into coherent arguments for the essays. That's the hardest part of studying while working - having the time and headspace to wrangle your thoughts onto the page. I'm looking forward to much more wrangling to come.

Questions? I'd love to hear from you.