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Original poster

Open University?

29 replies

Justmeandmines · 14/04/2022 22:46

I was planning to begin my online degree in September but it has now been cancelled due to lack of applicants. So I am trying to find another and have started looking the the open university. Has anyone studied with them? Do you recommend?

OP posts:
Sharingplatter · 14/04/2022 23:07

I have. I did it while working part time and with 2 young children. You need dedication though as it’s mostly self study. There are some weekend tutorials and online evenings but generally you are on your own. I would definitely recommend though. Got the job I wanted post degree!

RhubarbFairy · 14/04/2022 23:08

I have. I'm almost at the end of my degree. I'd definitely recommend!

ColinRobinsonsFart · 14/04/2022 23:10

Ba hons with OU - took six years as I worked a 50+hr week. Loved it!
Got a 2:1 which I was chuffed with - I was over 50!

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Areyoiboredyet · 14/04/2022 23:11

I am currently on the last year of a psychology degree - it's been a long slog but I am so proud of myself for getting this far. I would recommend it I wish I had done it sooner. I so want to make my dcs proud of their mum

littledrummergirl · 14/04/2022 23:44

I haven't but I have interviewed people who attended different universities as part of my job.
The open University in my experience did very well with the majority highly praising it.
Admittedly that was my experience, other interviewers may have had different replies.

Hunderland · 15/04/2022 00:36

I'm a third of the way through mine and really enjoy it. You need to be self motivated and organised but the online learning very much suits my lifestyle as a mum of teens. I can access it on my phone so I can pop in and out and see what's coming up or start something and finish it later if I need to.

Feel I am doing something for me and I also work much harder at it than I think I would have at 18...Grin

What are you looking to study?

Original poster
Justmeandmines · 15/04/2022 09:39

I have 2 young kids and work 4 days a week, so online learning is a must. I'm looking at doing an accounting degree, currently I'm doing a year long access to bookkeeping course with has helped me get used to studying again.

After reading these comments I'm definitely going to apply. Thanks everyone!

OP posts:
Hunderland · 15/04/2022 12:30

Good luck op 👍 and to everyone else studying Smile

burnoutbabe · 15/04/2022 12:37

hey, there is a newish board, mature learners and training (i think its called) which may be worth looking at / posting

Anyway, my dad is doing OU at 75! he seems to enjoy it.

TheCanyon · 15/04/2022 12:38

I did the ou business management (accounting) degree. A lot of it was utter shite tbh.

GetTheStartyParted · 15/04/2022 13:27

I'm in my final year of an English Language and Literature degree. I had interviews with 3 PGCE providers and all of them offered me a place.

I've enjoyed the course, and the structure suited me well. Good luck OP!

TottersBlankly · 15/04/2022 13:29

You may find this helpful:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mature_students/4365554-Open-University?msgid=111327896

sycamorescrumptious · 15/04/2022 13:32

If you're wanting to study accounting are you set on a degree or have you considered aat/cima/acca? All offered by various colleges as online learning and great career opportunities after.

Hunderland · 15/04/2022 14:21

@TheCanyon

I did the ou business management (accounting) degree. A lot of it was utter shite tbh.
I'm doing this (not with accounting specialism) and really enjoy it 🤷
InTheCludgie · 15/04/2022 14:33

I did three years of a science related degree which I really enjoyed, I found the online content, physical materials and lectures to be well organised. I was working four days a week and had a 6yo and 2yo when I started so needed a lot of self discipline to get assignments etc done.

Gave it up when my DF died suddenly at the end of my third year but I will definitely go back and complete my degree at some point in the future if I'm able to.

AlaskaThunderfuckHiiiiiiiii · 15/04/2022 14:36

I’m currently doing my nursing degree through the open uni, employer sponsored. I actually really like it, it’s part time so fits in with family and social life, I only do part time on placements as I’m on a part time contract and I get my full wage whilst doing it. As others have said you need to be really motivated and committed, most of my tutorials are in the evening or on weekends. Tutors are mainly very good that I’ve had so far.

Oblomov22 · 15/04/2022 15:03

Are you sure an accounting degree is best. Why not do ACCA or CIMA?

FTEngineerM · 15/04/2022 15:07

Did a BEng with them, super duper, damn you need motivation and project management skills but you can get through it.

Waiting to hear if I’ve got on an MSc now 🥴🤞🏼

Iamnotamermaid · 15/04/2022 20:02

Completed one open degree and working on my second...They are great courses but pick your subject wisely. I did some language courses but if you want to speak the language it was hard to practice. Otherwise if there are subjects you are happy to work on independently it is an excellent way to learn.

Original poster
Justmeandmines · 16/04/2022 08:47

The degree I'd originally applied for was combined with CIMA at RGU but it's no longer running this year. So just trying to figure out the best option for me. I'm in Scotland so I would get saas funding for the degree but not for CIMA, ACCA or AAT. From what I can see anyway but I am very new to all of this so I may be missing something.

OP posts:
Aliceforgot · 16/04/2022 08:53

Good that you can get funding. The cost is the reason I haven't done one. I'd love to as I messed up my first degree (so can't get a loan) but I can't afford 9K a year!

mangomama91 · 16/04/2022 09:00

I finished my BaHons in childhood studies last year with OU, finished with a 2:1. Studied the full time option alongside working as a lsa and two children. It was tough sometimes but manageable and I'm pretty terrible at managing my time.
I'd recommend it, there's plenty of tutorials and lots of them are recorded as well so you can go back and watch them again or if you can't watch it live then you have the option to watch it recorded. I didn't actually go to any in person tutorials and then covid hit anyway so it all went online anyways.

shivbo2014 · 16/04/2022 09:08

I started studying for a degree in health and social care in February and I'm loving it so far! Level 1 is easing me in gently as I haven't studied properly for 20 years and only to GCSE level.

I'm finding it very easy to get the work completed and it's early days but I'm finding its not taking me the 16 hours they suggest to get the work completed. There are Facebook and WhatsApp groups for the modules you're studying which are quite nice although the WhatsApp chats can be a bit much!

It's nice to be doing something for myself for a change! Good Luck!

TottersBlankly · 16/04/2022 09:11

@Aliceforgot

Good that you can get funding. The cost is the reason I haven't done one. I'd love to as I messed up my first degree (so can't get a loan) but I can't afford 9K a year!
When you say ‘messed up’ … If you completed your first degree, and are under 60, you’re eligible to apply for a Government Postgraduate Loan for pretty much any postgrad course.

I don’t know how this intersects with any OU funding - but it’s a really useful thing to know.

Aliceforgot · 16/04/2022 13:41

I don't feel confident enough to apply for a postgraduate when I didn't do well in my first degree and I did the wrong one. And any postgraduate I fancy would require a first degree in the subject I should have done!. It's a bugbear of mine.