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Original poster

Do people consider OU degrees

176 replies

EverythingRightNow · 23/09/2017 01:01

I was wondering do people consider OU degrees real degrees? One thing that gets me is I'm into arts and crafts, you essentially get a brief & work from it, why don't they do Arts OU that are funded the same way?

It would work in a similar fashion where you touch base with a tutor periodically.

My friends laughed when I suggested getting an OU degree as I should aim for a real one instead. Is this general consensus?

OP posts:
ToothTrauma · 23/09/2017 08:26

Of course they’re real degrees. Most employers value them highly because they take such self-discipline and motivation.

Mine got me an unconditional offer and funding on the MA of my dreams, and subsequently a PhD place, so I’d recommend it to anyone. It’s a shame the fees have gone up so much as I was able to pay my way while working but I’d have to get loans if I did them now.

Grimbles · 23/09/2017 08:30

A lot of B&M universities offer distance learning options now, so its just as valid an option (and degree) than attending.

Many companies encourage and subsidise their staff to continue their education by doing a uni course so they have no issue with distance learning qualifications from a recognisable institution.

barbarahunter · 23/09/2017 08:32

OU degrees are brilliant! I did a year of their foundation course before applying to the local university, because I hadn't studied for a long long time.
It was always the OU degree studies that I got asked about later down the line when at interviews, and the prospective employers seemed to be impressed because of the commitment it shows to study with the OU.

ReinettePompadour · 23/09/2017 08:33

I have an OU degree but its been very difficult getting employers to accept it. They have all suggested in their own way that anyone could have completed the degree in my name (so cheated) and they felt a brick university degree gives them the reassurance that the person named on the certificate did actually do the work. I also found some brick universities wont accept OU qualifications either. I wanted to do pgce at a brick university but they said they had issues previously with candidates not being up to scratch from OU so they had decided to no longer accept their qualifications.

I think some industries are happy to take them at face value and others wont. I know the work I put in and I do feel cheated out of both my time and money. I spoke with OU and they said that they never claim their qualifications are the same as others and they are aware of brick universities not accepting their qualifications. They also dont think they need to do anymore than they already do to reassure businesses or other universities because they believe their own qualifications cover the basics of whats required elsewhere.

I wouldn't use them to gain my initial degree but I would use them to progress my career as this seems to be what theyre good at.

FlowerPot1234 · 23/09/2017 08:34

Andromeida29
Laughing at the idea that degrees from Oxbridge etc are worth more than other degrees! The standards at Oxbridge have declined rapidly over the past few years and the only thing going for it is the associated snobbery.

I'm curious - how do you think the Oxbridge standards have declined rapidly?

WhereDoesThisRoadGo · 23/09/2017 08:34

I would say an OU degree counts as a degree for the purposes of ticking a box but it doesn't have the kudos of other programmes. But that depends on the circles you intend on using it or the people you are talking to. This view is based on my personal experience of having two undergrads - one from a standard university and one from the OU, and two masters from standard universities. All in different subjects but related. I have been asked by a few recruiters why I include the OU degree as it means less than the others. My answer is always 'so I can demonstrate my continued commitment to personal development'. However, when I was recruiting a while ago, a gentleman had completed an excellent application and had a masters from the OU in relevant subject. The latter meant he ticked the box on essential qualifications required for someone to be offered an interview. He was offered the job and is the best employee I have ever had. The degree doesn't necessarily make him so, but it got his foot in the door.

coddiwomple · 23/09/2017 08:35

But their are other firms that don't rate Oxbridge at all and its seen as a black mark...

I am sure that's true, but so far I have never met a client requiring to put Oxbridge degrees at the bottom of the pile or in the bin! That might come, I had all sort of weird (of the record) requirements.

CathyEarnshawsGhost · 23/09/2017 08:35

Another current OU student here. I am about to start my final year and have been offered a place on a highly sought after, graduate teacher training programme for next year.

I also worked in the HE sector for a decade and know of a number of academics who completed their studies through the OU (either PhD or a secondary undergraduate/postgraduate degrees to complement their primary academic area).

OU degrees are only worthless to those who are ignorant of current HE standards, and they're not the people I would be wanting to take any study or careers advice from.

coddiwomple · 23/09/2017 08:35

*off

NoFuckingRoomOnMyBroom · 23/09/2017 08:36

I sincerely hope people see them as a 'real degree as DH has spent a considerable amount of time on his & worked so fucking hard to achieve it.

Grimbles · 23/09/2017 08:41

There is an online world wide uni ranking website- Russel group uni's are all in the top 100 world wide, I believe OU is about 300 in the world (so very good) and ex polytechs start at about 1000

Not true. The place I work is an ex poly is well inside the top 500, and there are others within the top 1000

The OU is in the 4-500 rank

(THE World rankings 2018)

wowbutter · 23/09/2017 08:41

I have a degree from the open university, I have had many jobs over the time I was working on it and after I received it. Each one took it seriously, was very impressed, and I could use it to show how efficient I was.
Working full time, studying, and doing a stellar job at both as well as having a family.

I am now doing a masters with the ou, and it's frigging hard work. Much harder work than friends of mine who have done the same course at universities you attend.

People saying they aren't taken seriously, or they wouldn't bother, I honestly think have no idea what they are talking about. I'm massively proud of myself, and my promotions at work due to my course have proved to me how employers take it seriously.

GirlcalledJames · 23/09/2017 08:42

My mum has an OU degree and has found that it has been well regarded by employers, definitely equal to any other non-Oxbridge/Russell group degree.
Distance learning from any university could also be worth considering now that the OU charges such ridiculous fees.
I went to Oxbridge and the PP who think this is no longer well-regarded may not have have first hand experience. I have had a lot of completely unfair advantages from my degree; it opens a lot of doors. Perhaps there are hiring mangers out there who aren't impressed but they aren't the majority.

ImNotCrazy · 23/09/2017 08:47

Hmm I've seen a few comments about OU degrees being valued due to people doing them whilst worst and other committments...
I'm currently in the final year of my degree at a brick uni and also work part time as well as volunteer and I'm a single parent.
Why is it assumed that only OU students have to work etc around a degree?

sashimiyummies · 23/09/2017 08:55

I've just completed an OU degree after previously doing a different degree in a brick uni and other qualifications too. The materials were fantastic and I would argue that I was really pushed academically. I feel the depth of my knowledge about my subject is possibly even superior to that of acquaintances who did the same degree at a brick uni. The OU is fantastic and I am so proud of my degree. I would urge people to do it.

Polarbearflavour · 23/09/2017 08:56

The OU has a great rep. I have a degree from them!

Grimbles · 23/09/2017 08:56

Why is it assumed that only OU students have to work etc around a degree?

It's not..?

darklady64 · 23/09/2017 09:00

I did an OU degree and was accepted onto an MA course at at top 30 university in London, so they obviously didn't think it was a problem. You will get some people who still insist it's a noddy degree that no-one will take seriously, but from what I've experienced and from the experiences of others on my course, that isn't the case at all. Do it and enjoy it!

agapanthus1979 · 23/09/2017 09:01

I did an OU degree. Did it in four years alongside full time work. Always had very positive comments from employers (and everyone else!!)
I have taught in several schools on the back of it, and now teach at a high-performing independent school.
Anybody suggesting an OU degree is inferior is (imho) speaking either from a position of ignorance or snobbery.

Monr0e · 23/09/2017 09:02

I have an OU degree. Without it I wouldn't have got on my current course training to be a midwife.

One of my lecturers did her masters with the OU.

MaisyPops · 23/09/2017 09:02

Why is it assumed that only OU students have to work etc around a degree?
It's not.

Just people are rightly pointing out that the OU is a different experience. Most students at brick unis are 18/19 starters who ho straight from college.
Even part time study at a lot of unis is just 'study 50% of the modules and attend less during week' which isn't comaptible for those who work full time. Even if I dropped my hours, I couldn't have studied part time at a brick uni because I'd have set days off and the modules all ran on different days. Great if you work part time and can move your shifts. Impossible if you're in a professional role where you can't keep shifting days off every 8 weeks.

The OU is different. It is designed so people who work full time can study.

Nettletheelf · 23/09/2017 09:02

The irony of somebody who can neither spell nor punctuate declaring that an Oxbridge degree would be "...seen as a black mark".

Who are the businesses putting the Oxbridge graduates at the bottom of the pile? I am curious.

I didn't go there, by the way.

MaisyPops · 23/09/2017 09:04

That the point at which a poster turns 'yes well you can't spell/make typos' is usually the point where people internally Hmm and zone out.

CathyEarnshawsGhost · 23/09/2017 09:06

ImNotCrazy, no one assumes that no other students have to juggle a number of commitments, it's just that the vast majority of OU students study around families and jobs (it's one of the selling points of the OU) where as the majority of undergraduate students at B&M universities are recently out of compulsory education with no parental/caring responsibilities.

Of course that doesn't mean that there aren't OU students who don't work/have caring responsibilities or B&M students, like yourself, who clearly have a lot more to study around that your average 19 year old.

Good luck!

FlowerPot1234 · 23/09/2017 09:06

A few posters are discussing working and studying and the OP perhaps being the only option. I just want to say I cannot recommend Birkbeck enough. Seriously highly regarded degrees, excellent lecturers, amazing flexibility and something I have discovered is so important, it is all organised so very well (IT works, material is where it should be, help when things go wrong is rapid)

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