Is an OU degree just as recognised as actually going to uni?

[harlaandfowkes]

There are no entry requirements, you study in your own time and will have less debt, sounds great.

AIBU to think that realistically employers aren't going to pick me over someone who's also studied a-levels/access and has actually been to university in a formal setting? I've just signed up for a psychology degree and I'm dithering. I don't know what to do. I can't actually go to uni as I need to keep working.

I'm in a dead end job that I hate and want out.

I'm young so no excuses really. I probably just need a kick up the bum.

To some employers it's actually more desirable. Completing an OU degree takes huge commitment and time management skills, as they'll know you were juggling it against work and other commitments in a way that the majority of 'conventional' students won't have.

So you have wanted to do a degree to better yourself, not because your peers and school has expected it.
You are doing the degree whilst you are working.
This shows commitment, ambition, effort.

What is it for potential employers not to like ?

I'm doing an OU degree at the moment. From researching it beforehand, people say that employers tend to value it more than a traditional degree because you've usually done it in your own time, juggling work and other responsibilities at the same time.

I have recently employed a member of staff with an OU degree. I was impressed by her time management skills and her abilities to study from home, juggle and job and look after her children all at the same time.

I can't speak for employers, but as a layman, I have huge respect for people who take on Open Uni degrees, MBA's etc alongside other commitments

I did a psych degree with the OU. It hasn't helped me a jot in finding a good job afterwards, but I couldn't afford to do any post grad study after which would have opened lots of doors for me.
OU degrees are definitely not seen as lesser than brick uni degrees. What are you wanting to do afterwards as a lot of psych related jobs require post grad qualifications

Absolutely yes. But make sure it is the Open University and not another online course. OU is a very well respected and real university, some other online 'universities' not so much. The key thing to look out for is that OU is an academic not-for-profit organization (legit) whereas others are usually for-profit (not necessarily legit).

OU isn't much different from doing distance learning at a regular uni.

You need to be very self disciplined and enjoy studying largely alone.
I think it's a bit of a myth that employers value OU candidates because if their time management. I expect all adults I recruit to be able to manage their time.
OU is seems a lower level of university by many. But it is cheaper and more flexible.

I think that all education is a good thing; if you can afford it do it.
But...as one who employs scientists, I have never taken on an OU person who hasn't gone on to do post-grad at a more traditional University. Whether that's because of the skills I need particularly or because the grads who have come though our recruitment process have all had higher degrees I'm not sure.

More so, in my experience, as both an employer and employee.

Is the psychology degree BPS accredited? You're shutting a lot of doors if it isn't.

Yes and more so, as OU marks harder than some universities plus employers recognise the commitment required for part time study. I did my OU degree 10 years ago, it was one of the best things I ever did. Good luck OP.

If you do a degree with the OU, you can't use the letters after your name without adding OU, afaik (false representation otherwise). I think this is a strong indication that it is not a "proper" university.

If you do a degree with the OU, you can't use the letters after your name without adding OU, afaik (false representation otherwise). I think this is a strong indication that it is not a "proper" university.

What absolute bollocks. An OU degree is a normal degree. Why would you think you needed to add anything else after the BA or BSc bit?

But yes to making sure it is BPS accredited. (That goes for anywhere btw.)

If you do a degree with the OU, you can't use the letters after your name without adding OU, afaik (false representation otherwise). I think this is a strong indication that it is not a "proper" university

So that's a load of shit. Where on earth did you hear that???

Teddy tbh I haven't got a clue, I was torn between that and health and social care. I currently work in care so h&s would definitely be the most useful out of the two, but I find psychology really interesting.

sunglasses no it isn't which worried me but I know you can't walk straight into a career as a psychologist regardless, I know you can do a conversion course afterwards.

I find psychology really interesting and thought some of the modules sounded fascinating (child development, autistic spectrum, sociology and neuropsychology to name a few). They seemed to have picked the most dull aspects of each area for us to study though. All of us on the course were bored to tears and it took a huge amount of self determination to finish it.
Definitely wasn't anywhere near as interesting as I hoped for.

I use the letters after my name and mine is a proper degree. Go for it, OU is great!

I've found its 50/50 whether an employer likes the OU qualifications or not.

Some believe its too easy to cheat your way to an OU degree by getting friends to do the work for you and it wont give you any advantage over anyone else applying for a job.
Others completely understand the commitment required to gain an OU degree and are happy to employ you and in some cases more likely to employ you.

I've also found some brick universities wont accept OU qualifications either if you were hoping for future study. You have to check that your study is valid for your future plans.

When I am recruiting, I think very highly of OU degrees. As others have said, to gain an OU degree shows a huge level of commitment.

Check that your OU degree course is accredited with the appropriate professional body before you start though.

It's true that strictly speaking you have to add BA/BSc (Open) after your degree.

BUT, that does NOT devalue the qualification in anyway, as you suggest.

The OU Psychology degree definitely IS accredited by the BPS, and has been for many, many years.

The psychology degree is BPS accredited. I did it, and loved it. Didn't find it dull at all.