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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Is an OU degree considered as good as a degree from a Russel group uni?

112 replies

toptramp · 18/03/2012 18:34

Not so much an AIBU but I am thinking of doing a masters and am wondering if anyone has had experience with an OU masters course or even an undergraduate course?
Do employers give OU graduates extra kudos for being self motivated or is it irrelevant?
I would like to do myy masters at Bristol but can imagine it's tough to get on course and expensive plus it would mean a commute.

OP posts:

BabyDubsEverywhere · 19/03/2012 09:20

So how does it work for mature students in general then?

I will be starting at an RG Uni this year, I'm 28 married with 2 DC, (and pregnant with third!) and will be working... OU would have been logistically easier, and a damn sight cheaper! We have had to completely restructure our family life and DH's career so I can do this.

Should I not have bothered??

dreamingbohemian · 19/03/2012 09:37

BabyDubs, I'd say it really depends on your field.

FWIW I'm really surprised to see so many people saying OU is regarded as highly, because that has not been my experience at all.

I've also seen, in my own experience, how much I've profited from being able to draw upon contacts I've made through actually attending classes in person.

I don't think you should regret your choice. For everyone saying they don't prefer RG, there is someone who would not value OU students at all, so I think you've made a safer choice.

ragged · 19/03/2012 09:42

I think it depends on the subject.

Mum2Luke · 19/03/2012 09:48

Why shouldn't it be respected? You pay enough for the degree courses and I would think most people doing OU courses would be mature people with families maybe looking for changes in career and not able to go to live out at university.

My friend is currently nearly at the end of her Foundation Degree in Early Years, she is a childminder and so it is impossible to go to University during the day. She has paid £900 per module and it is going up. Would love to do a course but there is no way we could afford to pay for it.

wildstrawberryplace · 19/03/2012 09:50

I have an Oxbridge degree (graduated 1995) and I am now doing a second undergraduate degree with the OU because I can do it in my spare time.

I am finding the OU course at least the equal of my Oxbridge undergraduate degree in terms of course materials and quality of teaching, standards of marking etc. I am lucky to have had some really great tutors so far with one notable exception.

Actually I prefer the OU because it isn't full of self important twonks wrapped up in the college mystique which is frankly just a load of old bollocks. Well, maybe Oxbridge has changed but there were a lot of people like that in my day

Lueji · 19/03/2012 09:54

Have you checked the availability of DL MScs by one of those universities?

The OU is not the only University offering DL courses these days.

Jins · 19/03/2012 09:55

I think it depends on the degree and the candidates other skills and qualifications.

I did a vocational degree and masters at what is now a RG university. The qualification that I did gives exemption from professional exams. Some of the courses run by other institutions did not give full exemption. In addition in a specialised field like mine there is a hierarchy of degrees and establishments which everyone seems to know about but you can't find by googling :(

Having said that a good candidate with the right qualifications will be shortlisted in most cases and will have the opportunity to demonstrate that they are the right candidate by personal statement, CV and interview. I have not personally seen a candidate rejected on the basis of where the degree came from but I have seen them rejected because the qualification did not give complete exemption and further study would be required which the employer felt would add costs in time off or funding courses that was not required with other candidates.

I think the important thing is to decide where you want to be and then determine the most effective route of getting there. An OU degree can lead very nicely into a diploma somewhere else to fill any gaps

worzelswife · 19/03/2012 10:20

"For everyone saying they don't prefer RG, there is someone who would not value OU students at all"

I think it's clear from this thread that the standard of the OU work/teaching is just as good as at a RG university and it is a real shame that people don't appreciate that (at present). It's totally a matter of people not understanding how much work goes into an OU degree and not that the standard is actually any different. On my degree (Psychology) we had all kinds of leading experts write chapters in our course books and the degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society as providing Graduate Basis for Registration which means you can go on to train to be a chartered Psychologist, which not all red brick uni's give you by any means. It is highly respected.

I have worked hard for many years to get my degree, and as I said, was at Oxbridge before. I have my graduation soon. I have only ever been immensely proud of my achievements with the OU, and proud to be associated with them as an organisation, and it's a bit of a kick in the teeth to hear that people 'don't value OU students at all.' It's attitudes that need to change, not the standards of the course.

ariadne1 · 19/03/2012 10:21

I did a 6 yr professional qualification at home off my own bat, doing the finals when my first was 1.5. It is always looked upon as quite an achievement by employers at interview.

wibbleweed · 19/03/2012 10:39

I work as an OU tutor on a couple of undergraduate modules and I've always been impressed by the high calibre and sheer dedication of many of my students. Their ability to manage their time, motivation and enthusiasm for the subject is second to none. Ok, I have some weaker students too, or those that struggle with the 'juggling act' involved, but they invariably make a good go at it - often in very difficult circumstances. All qualities that should impress a prospective employer.

I too went down the oxbridge followed by RG route of study and think the OU is at least as good in terms of teaching, support and quality of study.

Highlander · 19/03/2012 10:58

Science fom the OU is not at all well regarded as there isn" nearly enough laboratory time. But I guess you could top it up with a good MSc from another uni.

PushedToTheEdge · 19/03/2012 11:01

OP - You don't say what the Masters is in or why you are doing it.

In academia one needs a Masters to progress. But if you want to work at a 'traditional' institution then they would probably prefer for you to have gained a Masters from a 'traditional' institution.

In business employers tend to prefer people with first degrees plus lots of quality experience. Those in the consultancy/blue chip field will pay a generous premium for a candidate with a MBA or Msc in Finance but think about it. If you was offering a high flyer salary then you will be getting applicants with Masters from top and top-ish grad schools.

These days many traditional Universities offer distance learning Masters. Why not go with one of those instead of the OU?

Before MNetters who are OU alumni jump in to defend their alma mater, I am not saying that OU degrees are inferior. I am just saying that is the perception in much the same way as a Polytechnic degree was seen as being inferior to a University degree despite being more vocational in content.

Amateurish · 19/03/2012 11:37

I know I'm going against the flow here, but I don't agree that the teaching and materials are as good at the OU, as at the RG uni where I studied. At my RG uni, I was taught by world class academics, leaders in their field. With all respect, the same has not been true of the OU tutors, both those who I know personally and who have taught me. Obviously all this anecdotal, personal experience etc.

BabyDubsEverywhere · 19/03/2012 11:55

Just for a bit of reassurance please :)

I'm planning on studying Ancient and Medieval history, I want to go on to lecture at Uni ideally (I am aware that further study is required and that life may have other plans for me, this is just 'the plan' atm) So with that in mind, an RG degree is better than an OU degree? Or not? I am, as mentioned already, a mature student juggling DC, DH job, work etc. Not going to uni for a piss up and piss about, but Uni will be costing a hell of a lot more than OU and a logistical nightmare, but I assumed it would be worth it in the long run...opinions?

Sorry for the hijack :D

peppamum · 19/03/2012 12:08

I work for a RG Uni and have studied with OU and RG so have no axe to grind in terms of quality. I think it is worth studying at RG uni if you want to go on to lecture because of the contacts you make, if for no other reason.

Lecturers like to mentor enthusiastic people with similar research interests, and will often help them get postgraduate funding, particularly for PHDs.

GooseyLoosey · 19/03/2012 12:13

Dh has an OU degree. Went on to do an MSc at Oxbridge and a PhD at Imperial. He says the OU degree was much more rigorous than the MSc and, so far as I am aware, he has never encountered prejudice becuase of it. He is now a professor at a top ranked uni.

PushedToTheEdge · 19/03/2012 12:33

Goosey - I suspect that while DH was taking his OU degree he was employed in a job which helped to make him more attractive to the Oxbridge admissions panel.

I am certainly not making the point that an OU degree has no value. I am just saying that in most situations an employer that only recruits graduates will prefer to recruit a 21 year old graduate from a traditional institution.

Baby - Sound like a good plan if in the meantime you have a related job.

Amateurish · 19/03/2012 12:45

Baby, don't forget that OU are upping fees to £5k pa (full time) whereas other universities are changing between £6k and £9k so the difference may not be as much as you think.

GooseyLoosey · 19/03/2012 14:17

Pushed - he worked for B&Q having spectacularly arsed up his O'levels. Not sure whether that made him more attractive or not. Clearly however, this was some time ago so perceptions may have changed.

Foxy800 · 19/03/2012 14:49

Dreaming I am doing an Ou degree, I am a Mum, and work so lots of juggling to be done. Many of the peopel on my course are in the same situation.

Foxy800 · 19/03/2012 14:51

That should say people!!!

WilsonFrickett · 19/03/2012 14:54

Goosey

PushedToTheEdge · 19/03/2012 15:01

Kudos to your DH but as in threads about comp v grammar/private there will always be stories of some sibling/DP/DC who beat the odds but that doesn't mean that the general rule is not true.

dreamingbohemian · 19/03/2012 15:21

Just to be clear, I'm not saying OU should be valued less, but I think there are many people who do unfortunately.

BabyDubs I think if long-term you want to go into academia, an RG degree will help you a lot. You can hopefully get great references from leading professors, which will help to not only get into good MA and PHD programmes but perhaps also get them funded (so save money in the long term). I would think you would also have more access to the 'extras' in terms of conferences, seminars, research projects -- these not only broaden your knowledge, but give you a chance to add relevant experience on your CV.