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.

Oh and yes the OU marking system is brutal.

^ This. In bucket loads. You need much higher marks to get a 2:1 or a 1st from the OU than you do from a brick university.

Show me I did undergrad Oxford and then the whole degree at OU (only 1 more module than conversion course at the time) and intended to go onto retrain as a psych.... But we moved house away from a uni and now it's no longer decent experience and I'm old!!

I loved the degree though. We had summer schools and real life tutorials at the time though.

Is the OU a recognised institution abroad? I want to study where I live but not sure I'm happy to wait commencing a course until Sept 2018

I don't think you can study with OU if you're overseas, apart from BFPO iirc - but drop them an email and check.

I did my MBA with the OU alongside students of all nationalities including Russian, Rumanian, Polish, German, Spanish... Some of the seminars were in Amsterdam.

I also studied an undergrad from a Russell Group and from Oxford. I'd say the OU was on a par for academic rigour. Also, I realise it might be because MBA is a business degree, but it was great to have lecturers and tutors with jobs outside of academia.

*Oh and yes the OU marking system is brutal.

^ This. In bucket loads. You need much higher marks to get a 2:1 or a 1st from the OU than you do from a brick university.*

The marks should be equivalent because there are external markers from other universities who sit on the exam board will check samples of assignments to make sure that they are equivalent. All (reputable) universities do this. One thing that might be different is the grading scheme. The OU use a full range of scores so it is possible (although very unusual in psychology) to get 100%, but the thresholds are higher so you need 85% or more for a first whereas some other universities would have 70/75% as the threshold for a first. Someone at the OU might say get a borderline first mark of 85% whereas the same essay might be given 75% at a different university but at the other university it would still be in the same 'borderline First' category. Students at the OU often have to work harder for a first though because they often have more commitments in terms of work/family than an average undergraduate. I know that some undergraduates at other universities also have substantial other commitments but on average there will be more OU students holding down a full time job and running a family than the average undergraduate.

There are still real life tutorials available for all (or at least most) of a psychology degree but no summer school. There are also online tutorials which suit some people more, or often students dip in and out of both.

No summer schools

Honestly, the best bit...

The marking has less redundancy at the top end than other courses, certainly. I found it far from brutal.

Another one supporting OU degrees. They are highly regarded by many. But I agree that someone wouldn't necessarily be favoured because of it.

I could never do one because I am much better in a classroom environment and wouldn't like to be studying alone as like the tutor support and the comradery of classmates and friends. That's just me though.

There's nothing wrong with having an OU degree, I would highly recommend it. I completed my OU degree in 2015, It isn't easy at all, you have to be organised and motivated. It's hard work, but doable. I completed mine whilst my husband worked 12 hour days/nights, had a baby at the start and two more during, and had to go through the diagnosis process for ds1 (Asperger's)

IonaNE - not true you have to put either OU or open after your degree. The OU offer structured 'named' degrees and an 'Open' degree, the difference being a choice of modules related to your subject with 'mandatory' modules and an Open degree where you can choose which modules to study to make up your credits.

Where does it state 'open' or 'OU' on my certificate?

And yes! The marking structure is brutal! My exam and TMA marks would have gained me a First at a red brick uni! To gain a 2.1 you have to score mainly pass 2's or 1's in your level 2 and 3 modules, this means 70-74 for each TMA/ exam in each module, a first is 85+.

...I still have nightmares about my accounting TMA! Brutal stuff, and if I'm honest undergrad in the US didn't entirely prepare me for post-grad here!

No, they wouldn't have gained you a first I'm afraid.

Generally an 85 at OU is equivalent to a 70 at other universities; because the OU make greater use of the very highest and the very lowest marks.

That said, their courses are slowly moving in line with other unis, so that a 70 at OU will be the same as a 70 elsewhere.

But the standard required for 75% at a brick university should therefore be the same as that required for 85% at the OU.

Ah, x post. That will be better I think.

Those who have studied online with OU, if you were to do your Masters online, will the certificate look any different to the degree certificate? And what's the difference between OU and a distance learning degree course? Oh and one last question, are online Masters degrees accepted for EFL positions?

'Ifartglitter' is the best username!!!

My MSc certificate looks magnificent and thanks to it I will be doing a PhD in September!

I work in postgraduate admission in a top-ranking UK university, and I can confirm that we highly respect an OU degree. Most of our applicants are (sadly) rather privileged 20 somethings who naturally slipped into Russell-group undergraduate degrees at 18. They haven't had to muster the self esteem and determination to work full time while they studied like OU students often have. It takes something extra to succeed in the OU. Go for it!

Hats off to you ifartglitter do you mind me asking what you do now?

I am motivated and I know I can do it, just the prospect of all that debt is scary!

I know it has been said but what IonaNE said is utter, utter bollocks. Especially as the attendance is not zero. I did a science degree so had to attend residential schools and tutorials (although they were optional). And I loved it and would recommend it in a heartbeat.

Just chipping in to agree - OU is well respected and for good reasons.

harlaandfowkes- no I don't mind. I'm was a HCP (Operating Theatre Practitioner) but currently a SAHM until my youngest starts school next year. I want to re-train as a social worker and needed the degree for the masters entry course at our local uni.

I was fortunate in that when I started the fees were only £800 a year this was in 2009, when the coalition increased fees the OU agreed to traditional fees for students already on courses who would finish before 2017. I know their fees are cheaper than a red brick uni but it's still a scary prospect.

If I don't re-train and I return to theatres, my degree allows me to progress past my old band 6 post so it was definately worth it either way. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

I'm?

I was...*

You can study from most countries (in reply to poster up thread).