Do people consider OU degrees

[EverythingRightNow]

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?

Just in case that is off putting to the OP or anyone else considering the OU, my degree only involved two formal exams (3 hours exams at a regional centre), one of which was for a module I received credit transfer from my previous degree, so I only had one big exam :-) . Mine was a vocational/ work based learning degree though, so it does vary.

Sorry, I should have clarified that it is varies between subjects. I did science and apart from a couple of experiment reports, and my dissertation, it was all exam based. I think other subjects are more coursework. The details are all on the ou website so if anyone doesn't fancy exams then you can pick around them! ☺️

LoniceraJaponica
Which ones Flowerpops?

Gosh, such a list. Law/pupillage/chamber tenancies for example, has moved away from the Oxbridge bias, but is still very much "which university" (and which school..) did you go to? The diplomatic service and certain government agencies (ahem..) don't turn up and go tapping the shoulders of undergrads at the ex-poly-of-some-provincial-town. If you want to take this to the extreme, McKinsey for years and years (and probably mostly now) boasted how they only hired from Oxbridge, saying by hiring only in their likeness did they keep the McKinsey "culture", and they blatantly bragged how they regarded "hiring the best" means "hiring Oxbridge". Oxbridge is excellent of course, and the unis produce many fine and astounding graduates, but to disregard every other candidate based purely on not going there is idiotic, but that says a lot about the idiocy of McKinsey anyway (don't get me started!).

On the other hand, looking at which university one goes to is normal. The subject modules are different, the way progress and achievement is measured is different, the exposure to foreign/other universities is different, as are the quality and research interests of the lecturers which has a direct impact on the quality and learning of the students etc.

Another OU Student here!

I'm studying my fourth module, with 2 more to go until I have a BSc (Hons) in my chosen discipline.

Recently I interviewed for a F/T position, I was asked about how I planned to continue to study, and I replied 'Evenings, Weekends, and during my commute'. They were both surprised and commented that I was obviously committed, and had great time management skills. I have also heard this type of feedback from other OU students, so it seems common that potential employers recognise the OU in a very favourable manner.

I had a phone call the next day to say I got the job. I am certain my OU studies gave me an edge. One aspect of my degree will be utilised in this job, so already it has been more than worth doing in terms of professional development.

I'm currently doing my Masters with the open university and loving it. The assignments are spread out to make it manageable (I have an 11 week old) and you have online forums with tutorials.

McKinsey for years and years (and probably mostly now) boasted how they only hired from Oxbridge,

So all you are saying is that Oxbridge degrees take precedence over all other unis (which includes the OU) in some situations.

Flowerpops I get that it is important for those professions, but most students won't be aiming for them.

In DD's friendship group they want to do: engineering, history, medicine, biology. I don't think it matters that none of them will be doing their degrees at an Oxbridge university.

I think if you have a degree from Oxford, Cambridge, Warwick, Kings, Birmingham, Keele, and St Andrews etc, then of course people are going to sit up and take notice, because they are in the highest ranking universities in the country.

However, that doesn't mean if you have a degree from another university, that people are going to throw your CV in the bin. As someone said further back in the thread, who would want to work for a company with that shitty attitude anyway? 'Oh they went to DeMontford university, shred the CV without even looking at it!' I mean, would anyone actually DO that? And as I said, would you want to work for them if they did have this attitude?!

An OU degree is very well respected by many decent employers, because the ability to be able to learn and study on your own is very appealing to people. I have tried home study several times in the past, and struggled to do it on my own. I do much better in a 'classroom' environment, with tutors on tap, and people around me. So personally, I have a great deal of admiration for people who do - and complete - an OU degree.

So, @EverythingRightNow - ignore the naysayers, they are talking shit.

I totally agree Lonerica. I have a good degree from a RG university, work in one of the professions and I would never look down my nose at anyone based on what uni they attended, nor base hiring decisions on it. How shallow. There's a lot more to someone being a great employee than what Uni they went to.

Jumping in for abit of advice - I have gcses n nothing more, and have been looking into OU courses for ages.
I have 3children and am 16 weeks pregnant. Is it a bad idea to start a course now/soon? I'm fully aware of how tiring a newborn + kids are, but has anyone done it before?

As an employer I actually rate OU degrees highly as it shows a commitment and determination that undergraduate courses often don't. It would depend where you wanted to go with it but generally OU degrees are exceedingly hard work and to be commended as highly as those from other universities.

I did an ou degree in psychology and social studies and it was bloody hard work, I earned every bit of that degree!! It always get mentioned at job interviews as it shows drive and motivation to study part time while working and/or rearing a family. It's not easy and you do have to be fairly organised and disciplined with yourself but it's a great sense of achievement. Fees have gone up a huge amount since I did my degree though which is disappointing.

I teach OU courses as well as teaching at another university. The OU is very well respected in the sector and we have students with a similar range of abilities as at the mainstream uni I'm obviously not an employee but see no reason why ou degrees would be looked down upon, in fact they should be seen as a sign of an often remarkable commitment, resilience and professionalism.

Not an employer!

Eryri1981
So all you are saying is that Oxbridge degrees take precedence over all other unis (which includes the OU) in some situations.

Not sure if that's all I am saying as I was talking about a number of professions to the poster I was replying to, but if you are asking me if some employers only recruit from Oxbridge, as a matter of factual record I would have to say yes, and if you're asking me if a CV with Oxbridge on it will get bumped up/definitely looked at/might be more likely to be invited for interview just based on that alone(by some silly HR departments), then yes, again as a matter of record, that is factually true too.

OU degrees are fine.

I did my undergrad degree at Oxford. Then did a conversion degree at OU for convenience (knew I was going to move city, so wanted distance learning).

Then went on to do a masters and a PhD at another uni. The OU degree was never a problem!

@countdowntofour as I advised in a previous reply, it would be a good idea to explore the openlearn site, they give the time allocations for each short course so doing a few of those would give you an idea of what sort of time commitment you can give and how that compares to a full OU course.

So a full degree is 360 credits (based in approx. 10 credits = 100hours study gives you 3600 hours study) often studied part time over 6 years rather than 3 years full time, thus approx. 12 hours study per week if you were studying 52 weeks a year, I think it works out approx. 16 hours per week with gaps between modules IIRC.

How long it ACTUALLY takes will be quite individual based on previous academic experience (ie essay writing ability/ experience referencing etc).

However these academic skills are all taught in the early modules alongside the subject specific material (again in a much better way than at the brick uni I attended).

@Flowerpot

I'm sure what you are saying is true in parts of the UK, however, without any disrespect to the OP I doubt her choice of possible university is currently Oxford, Cambridge or The OU. Oxbridge do not feature in the vast majority of aspirant students potential choices, and they certainly didn't with me, as neither Oxford or Cambridge offered either of the 2 degrees I have attained.

Eryri1981 I'm not sure if you have read the whole thread and not sure what your reply to me is really about to be honest. A question was asked how many professions actually care about where you did your degree? and I answered and gave examples, which happened to include Oxbridge examples, that's all. Nothing to do with any Oxbridge/OU choice of the OP which isn't there!

Eryri1981 thankyou 😊

" I doubt her choice of possible university is currently Oxford, Cambridge or The OU. Oxbridge do not feature in the vast majority of aspirant students potential choices, and they certainly didn't with me, as neither Oxford or Cambridge offered either of the 2 degrees I have attained."

Same with DD. She wants to do medicine and is only looking at universities that do case based learning and/or problem based learning. Oxford and Cambridge don't offer this so she isn't even considering them.

Thank you for your replies.

In an ideal world my dreams would come true and after a lottery win I can secure the education of my children and study at Oxford or Cambridge. That isn't going to happen though, plus with my health OU means I can study when I'm well enough.

It was almost insinuated I was taking the easy way out by looking at OU degrees. I'm sure there must be a benchmark they all achieve.

I do wish there was a diverse collection of subjects to study, but like even schools, they're a business and have to make money.

I think more universities should look into the market. Like I said on this post or another, with art you're pretty much left to it, touching based periodically with you tutor. If they had a passport system a bit like they do with libraries, where people from other Uni's can utilise resources it'd work really well.

I have a professional career which requires an undergraduate degree before a doctorate. Several members of my doctorate course had their degree from OU. As does a friend who is an NHS commissioner now. It's a totally valid degree choice.

I recruit regularly for graduate positions in the media. Generally I don't much care which uni they went to - but if I see am OU degree I always feel the candidate has probably had to fit their degree around their families/jobs which require extra resilience and focus. So extra impressive as far as I'm concerned.

I'm surprised many think it's not the same?

Surely if graduate with a 2:1 in maths it's the same whatever uni it came from?

To me it's like saying an A+ in gcse maths from Eton is superior to equivalent grade maths gcse from local sink comp.

I'm glad many employers see it as people who have commitment. I'm about to embark on my last 30 points to complete my degree. It's taken me 10 years.

Why has it taken me so long? I've worked FT whilst raising a child with autism as a lone parent. I'm impressed I've even done it let alone the fact I'll pass!