What I loved about my OU degree was the flexibility of module choices, for example my BA in Literature comprised modules that appealed to me, so a colleague who also has a BA in Lit with the OU did three different modules to mine. You have to gain so many points, and do so many Level three courses but you can 'pick and mix' your options.
I liked it also because you can study at your pace, so when I started I worked part time and had three kids under 5 yrs, so when life got in the way I took a gap between modules to catch my breath.
I loved the local tutorials, the summer schools and study days. I appreciate this may have changed, but they were excellent. There was also an online community called Firstclass, which was very helpful and made me feel supported and part of a wider community.
In an ideal world, and with the benefit of hindsight, I should have worked harder at school and taken my A levels and gone on to a brick uni, but I didn't. And my parents wouldn't have been in a position to financially support me then anyway.
I finally realised that I had underachieved in my 30s, so took A Level English at a local evening class, and having done well in that, started my OU studies in my forties. I got the Diploma in Lit, which in itself is great, but also it counted towards my overall degree.
The TMAs were always returned with a lot of constructive feedback, and marked harshly, but correctly. The exams were challenging, very professional and whoever said there is scope to cheat, please explain how? We were even followed to the toilet by an invigilator!
It doesn't replace the life experience offered by a brick uni, but for me, in my circumstances it was a positive, life enhancing experience because it enabled me to achieve my potential, after I thought I'd missed my chance.