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Open uni, worth it?

25 replies

Chocrichtea · 19/08/2019 11:51

Has anyone studied here? Was it worth it? I'm looking to change career but I feel 6 years to complete it is such a long time!

OP posts:
wowfudge · 19/08/2019 11:54

If you don't have the option of studying full time then it could well be. I know someone who completed an OU degree and it definitely helped their career, although they had a professional qualification to start with.

Allington · 19/08/2019 11:55

I have, the courses were great in my sector (nonprofit/development), but I have heard the costs have gone up as the government reduced funding.

What changes do you want? Are there other ways of achieving it that are quicker/cheaper/less work?

Cakedoesntjudge · 19/08/2019 11:56

It was 100% worth it for me but it depends what you want to go into. I want to be a solicitor so for me it was the jumpstart I needed. I'm now working in a law firm, doing my post grad studies and lined up to be qualified (hopefully) within the next 3 years.

You don't have to do it over 6 years, I did mine over 4 but you can do it over 3 if you want to.

I'm currently doing my masters part time with BPP at Cambridge and the only thing I've found is that it's far easier doing it with people. The OU has lots of Facebook groups and meet ups if you're in the right places but if you're not it can feel a bit isolated.

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sirmione16 · 19/08/2019 12:03

For me it was, I can't fault them. The online course is easy to follow and keep on track, books all delivered to you, tutors great and easily accessible. Yes part time study is a long time but it doesn't feel too pressurising either which I like.

Chocrichtea · 19/08/2019 12:42

I'm looking to do psychology but not sure which part I want to go into. Either counselling or child welfare. The degree gives you the requirements to join the necessary body needed for these types of jobs.

OP posts:
Allington · 19/08/2019 14:30

It is worth thinking about getting a job in a related field (if you can, and can afford to) while you are studying, or at least some solid voluntary work. Then you are building up relevant experience, and testing out if that field is for you.

NoBaggyPants · 19/08/2019 14:36

There are people on my course studying full time, it's very much up to you as to how much you want to do at once. Have a read of the reviews for the modules you're interested in to get an idea of how many hours it will take, whether the given estimate is realistic or not.

The fees are more than they used to be, but still lower than other universities. Also you can get second degree funding for STEM subjects, which yours would come under.

verticality · 19/08/2019 14:40

I have done three arts and humanities degrees at traditional universities, and one science degree with the OU. I was honestly extremely disappointed with the OU, even though I got a good first (I'm not saying that to boast; I genuinely think I would have been marked harder at a high-quality traditional uni). You weren't allowed to use sources outside of the science textbook in any assessment, and the marking was extremely dogmatic - often done by a non-subject specialist who didn't hold a PhD. So-called experiments were laughably like something you'd do at primary school. Course materials varied from very good to poor in standard, the first year was a near-total waste of time and definitely not on a par with the first year of a good course elsewhere. The much-touted 'flexibility' wasn't actually that much more flexible than a traditional degree course: it definitely isn't 'study at your own pace'.

It gets you the piece of paper at a knock-down price and in a format you can do around other commitments, but it is not the equal of the proper university experience. If you are the kind of person who is intellectually really curious, you will be terribly disappointed and frustrated.

NoBaggyPants · 19/08/2019 14:49

This is my third degree and my experience couldn't be more different to verticality.

Chocrichtea · 19/08/2019 15:46

@nobaggypants I don't have a degree. I have other professional qualifications so I'm guessing I don't qualify for funding. I'm doing the access course just to see if I like it.

OP posts:
janj2301 · 19/08/2019 17:11

Great if you don't live in England. The cost is extortionate if you do

DotOnTheHorizon · 19/08/2019 18:18

A lot depends on the tutor and the cohort you are in. I'm just finishing my first module and am not overly happy. My tutor admitted freely that they haven't read the OU material for years as it's not a good use of their time. So instead of teaching to level 1 standards/ability, they get frustrated when they discuss more complex issues that we haven't studied.

They also don't turn up to online tutorials and then lie saying other people called in and that you are at fault. That resulted in a complaint t and an apology as they did not run the tutorial and I (and other people in my cohort) and the OU were able to prove it.

Other tutors have gone AWOL mid - course leaving students waiting weeks for TMA results. My tutor won't take phone calls or texts but doesn't reply to emails promptly.

The materials are out of date in places and quite often supporting materials have been missing. People with disabilities have struggled to get the appropriate support, ie printed materials or extra time due to dyslexia.

The standard of tutors seems to vary largely some cohorts get a lot more help and support, unfortunately mine isn't one of them. If you don't live near one of the hubs where they do face to face tutorials it's all online and can be isolating.

I'm starting a new module in October....if I have a poor experience on tat module (it's a different discipline and faculty), I'm transferring to a brick uni.

wowfudge · 19/08/2019 19:02

I've studied with BPP and it was fine for entry level for a professional qualification but very dependent on the tutor at the higher level. I did better with a different provider which had a more personal approach. BPP churned out the same course material with some online lectures tweaked but the course materials not updated too. It was frustrating.

Patroclus · 19/08/2019 19:03

It doesnt have to take 6 years. You can do it in half the time if you are willing to do the work.

And yes I would definitely recommend it. As well as teaching me my subject it made me realise how little I actually knew and showed me how to learn more. Its hard to explain but most people who've done a course agree with me.

Employers really like it as well.

Patroclus · 19/08/2019 19:05

Also I always had a problem with classroom learning and going into collee or whatever and underachieved massively. I found that online learning and being self taught really was my preference.

minibroncs · 19/08/2019 19:12

It gets you the piece of paper at a knock-down price

Um, how long ago did you study with the OU?

At least in England the tuition costs the same as other universities. It's not some kind of cheap option!

minibroncs · 19/08/2019 19:15

There are other universities that do online learning only degree courses too now. Edinburgh is one.

Chocrichtea · 19/08/2019 20:09

@minibroncs Edinburgh is only for post graduate courses. Most of the other universities are for post grad or masters for online. Otherwise you have to go to that uni.

OP posts:
Allington · 19/08/2019 20:35

Agreed it is not studied at your own pace, it doesn't claim to be. Each module has a very clear timetable. But you do have a certain amount of choice about how many modules you take at a time.

I did the MSc in Development Management - 6 modules of 6 months each, either 2 at a time (1.5 years) or 1 (3 years), and of course you can take a break and not study. 2 modules at a time were supposed to be the equivalent of full time study. I did 2, 1, 2, 1 modules over 2 years. No children at that point (!), and a day a week study leave from work (as it benefited them but I funded it myself), plus, I was quite strict with myself about which parts were important to me, and which I simply wanted a pass grade so did not go into at depth.

MsRinky · 19/08/2019 20:47

The tuition fees in England are much less than brick uni England fees, it simply isn't true to say they are the same.

BeverlyGoldbergsHairAndJumpers · 19/08/2019 20:55

Does anyone know anything about help with the costs? I can’t get a straight answer from the OU?

Silvercatowner · 19/08/2019 21:10

I did an MEd with the OU and loved it. I dislike classrooms and the independence suited me. I have to say that I didn't take much notice of their study timetable though.

Kez200 · 19/08/2019 21:17

Re costs - someone I know is applying now and says she can claim student finance for the part time fees but no maintenance. Shes in England

Rabbitholebonkers · 12/11/2020 16:25

@verticality

With three degrees prior to an OU degree you just weren’t the right fit. It’s not really for people like you is it? It has to be in a format that fits around work and it’s catered to people who have been outside of education for years. I think you just need a new hobby as there’s no need for four undergraduate degrees. The majority of people I speak too are hugely complimentary of the OU.

It can be a great spring board for many careers.

AbsentmindedWoman · 12/11/2020 16:42

It may be cheaper than traditional unis (is it about £6k per year as opposed to £9k or am I completely out of date?) but I think it's still a hefty price tag if you're based in England.

The Open University used to be a way of being able to affordably get a second degree if you wanted to change direction, because the fees were so modest. Much harder to do that now as I don't think you can get student loans for second degrees anywhere, apart from a few specific degrees in social work or some allied health degrees.

OP I'd look around and see what other universities are running online degrees before making your choice.

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