Studying
2026-05-16I've been studying an Open University maths degree path part time for the last 2 years. I'll have completed the 4th module in June, which will bring me to:
- Stage 1
This brings me to the question of what to do next. I'm not doing this with any particular career goal. Originally I was doing it because I felt I hadn't really done my self justice when studying maths and physics at the University of Glasgow as part of my Software Engineering degree. I feel that ghost has at least been partially exorcised by completing the Stage 1 modules.
Originally I planned to straddle between maths and physics. I felt that a maths degree with a good selection of physics modules would be the way to go. Long term, I planned to follow that with a masters in maths (again with lots of physics) and maybe even a PhD in some distant wrinkled fantasy future. Just doing the MSc in maths at the OU after completing the degree would take me through to 2033, assuming I continue part-time. Two ninths of the route to masters complete!
My plan had been to complete Stage 1, and then study MST210 Mathematical methods, models and modelling and M208 Pure mathematics in Stage 2
However now I'm thinking an MSc Artificial Intelligence would be an interesting route - combining my recent maths education with my long software engineering experience. Realistically I'm a bit late to enter this year, and I'm still not sure which path is best: maths, physics or AI. Luckily there's a decent amount of overlap at this stage - it would seem best to continue with MST210 and build up an AI study plan. This would continue the Maths degree and keep the possibility of a credit transfer onto a joint Maths and Physics degree while being applicable to an AI masters.
MST210 starts in October. It's now mid-May, and I have the MST125 exam in early June. So I need to build this AI study plan while preparing for the exam.