To wonder if the OU is really equivalent to a regular uni?

[PuzzledOfPuzzledom]

I’ve been thinking for a while about starting a degree in English Literature and I’ve started researching possible universities. The OU looks ideal to me as it’s so flexible compared to other unis, but I can’t quite get my head around how it can really be equivalent to other unis as the amount of reading and variety of modules seems so limited in comparison.

For instance, in year two the OU seems to offer two compulsory modules and the reading lists seem to have about 14-16 tests on them so I assume about 30 texts total. Other Unis I’ve looked at seem to split the year up into 4-6 different modules, each of which seem to cover maybe 15-20 texts so at least 60+ texts in total. Other unis I’ve looked at are Birkbeck (who also offer part time options) and a couple of other red bricks.

I’m not at all intending to criticise anyone who studies with the OU (I already know how hard it is to combine studies and work), I’m just struggling to understand how their degrees can be equivalent to other universities if it seems like the range of modules and number of texts is so limited in comparison.

Does anyone have experience of the OU and can you tell me if I’m right to be cautious? If it matters, after completing my undergrad degree I’m really interested in doing an MA and possibly a PhD (circumstances and funding dependent of course).

[Rebeccaslicker]

DP is thinking of doing an OU degree. The only person I've asked so far is a family friend who's a private and NHS medical consultant - he tells me that they view it just as highly as anywhere else when they see applicants. So just one view, but one from a very blunt man!

Whatever/wherever you study, enjoy - eng lit is so much reading, but so much fun!

[CountryGirl1985]

I did my nursing top up with the OU (when I did my training did the advanced diploma, finishing 2010. Now most employers want nurses with degrees so did the two modules to top up to bachelor of science). Loved every minute. Good teaching, regular phone support from tutors, came out with first class honours an acceptance on to Masters and an intent to do PhD in the future. It's much more aimed at truly adult learning - I found Uni quite spoon-fed at times and a lot on our course were 18/19 with limited experience away from home so very directed. OU was very supportive but you were under no illusions as to who was driving it!

[Graphista]

I Haven't experienced ou but I'm a lit grad.

The texts on the lists you're looking at now really are just the starting point/foundation.

Plus the quality (or not) of the texts is another aspect you'll be expected to robustly defend your opinion on.

Books considered classics by some theorists and critics are roundly derided by others.

You'll be expected to do a LOT of reading around in some very deep subject areas to support your arguments. Philosophy, politics, history, psychology, feminism, cultural studies, theology, technological influences...

Plus of course lit theory, semiotics, linguistics, dialectology etc

You end up learning a fair bit about so many other subject areas too.

But it's SO interesting and I loved doing mine.

I still enjoy reading about these subject areas just for pleasure, eg I have a personal fascination with dialect and accent and am always excited to see new material on these areas.

Whatever you decide I hope if you take the degree you enjoy it even half as much as I did.

[UmmmIdontThinkSo]

The OU are starting to readjust their grade boundaries to bring them into line with other unis because of the misconception that people have; it is important to note that an essay marked at 85 at the OU would get a 70 at a brick uni, it’s simply the OU opened up the marking scheme so students could get a wider range of marks and see more progress in their results.

I would (and have!) offer a job to an OU student over a brick uni student because of the extra determination, tenacity, motivation and resilience they have displayed.

[PuzzledOfPuzzledom]

Graphista, thanks so much for that post, it’s great to hear what I can expect from a degree in this subject and it’s really renewed my excitement about studying. I hope I’ll enjoy my degree as much too.

[OldBlueStitches]

I'm doing an OU degree. I'd say there's a difference between Level 1 (full time first year) and level 2 (full time 2nd year) marking - and expectations. In my course (not Eng. Lit) you can expect marks to drop 10-15%.

I've done a degree before at a red brick uni and am very happy with the OU. Someone upthread called the OU super modules, and I'd agree. You sign up for a one year module (if you're part time, so this is 50% of full time degree year) and it contains all the individual components that would be split over a few different, shorter modules if you were doing a similar course in person. It's a good way for distance learning.

I use a Mac and have so far (3rd part time year) has no problem.

[BikeRunSki]

I have taught an OU course and the same subject/level at a Russell Group Uni. The standard of teaching and content of the course were similar.

[meredintofpandiculation]

Entrance requirements - set by all other universities - ensure students have reached the standard required. Since OU is distance learning mainly, not group seminars, the standard of other students on the course is irrelevant. I have a BSc from a conventional university, followed up with a number of degree level modules from OU - the OU modules were every bit as challenging. And OU students are highly motivated, and this is very obvious when you have contact with other students.

[mumonashoestring]

I work at one of the ancient ones - when recruiting I would not look unfavourably on an OU degree as a qualification and neither would any of the colleagues I've chaired recruitment panels with. If anything they tend to be completed alongside 'life stuff' so they're taken as a sign of resilience.

Yes you get a lot of social/life skills from the 'whole' university experience but it's simply not realistic for everyone and doesn't devalue degrees completed by other routes.

[borlottibeans]

I don't have any direct experience of the OU but have a huge amount of respect for people with their degrees because studying part time is hard and I think that doing it without very regular face to face contact must be even harder.

However, I'm coming on here to say keep looking at Birkbeck. I did my Master's there in another humanity, and I found that actually going in and sitting down with other students to talk about the week's reading was invaluable. There's also the advantage of a physical library you can go to if you need to work somewhere with fewer distractions, and as it's right in the middle of university-land you've got a huge selection of other academic libraries which you can get reading access to as a University of London student. And the other students come from such a wide range of backgrounds which is great as a humanities student because your discussions will cover such an extensive range of perspectives (although I'm sure this is the same at the OU).

[Eltonjohnssyrup]

puzzled, I started mine in a brick and finished it at the OU (pregnancy). At a brick uni they won't be expecting you to read 60 whole books, you'll access sections of them, often electronically. With the OU you'll do the same, but they will often provide the extracts in a 'sources' book rather than online.

Incidentally, don't know which unis you were looking at, but at my brick Russell Group English lit had 3 x modules per semester with normally 1-3 books. So max 9 books per semester and usually less.

It's not quantity which is important. You can study one text very closely using a variety of different interpretations rather than studying 15 texts superficially.

[Fintress]

rose, do you mean the OU’s lack of entrance requirements means their degrees aren’t as challenging as other unis?

Absolutely not. The higher up modules soon weed out people that are not up to completing a degree.

MrsFs I did maths and computing and yes the maths do get quite complex. One of my favourite 30 point modules was Graphs, Networks and design, it was called MT365 back in the day.

[Eltonjohnssyrup]

And if you have a local uni they usually let OU students use their library and union.

[PinkyBlunder]

I’m an OU literature graduate.

Not sure why you think the reading list is on the small side, there’s literally 100s of books from my degree sitting in my living room.... the best way to think about it is that the degree is made up of modules and those modules are also made up of modules. The reading list you see when browsing modules will be a small percentage of the reading materials. Some will be included in the OUs own materials and some online. You are expected to go wider than the suggested materials and at level 3, there’s a solid chunk of the lit modules that are more like a research degree, where you are expected to find your own sources.

There’s no entry requirements as such but they will ask you to take foundation courses to catch up of needs be. There’s also a massive step up from level 1 to level 2 and an even bigger step up into level 3. If you’re not ready, you just don’t make the grades, it can be a bit brutal.

I’ve always also found like PPs that an OU degree holds the same and a lot of times, more weight than a conventional degree, mainly because of the work ethic you gain.

[TittyGolightly]

One of the issues I have found with the OU when I was looking at courses recently was the lack of support for Mac users. The software for the course I was interested in wasn't Mac compatible.

I’ve not struggled but have had to find some work around hands for specific bits of software (SPSS). It’s much better now.

[Geronimoleapinglizards]

It might be different with different subjects but I did an OU degree and they didn't want us to read more widely than the books provided, at least not in terms of writing the essays. They encouraged us beyond that but it was optional. But I did a science subject.

I thought the standard was very good. I found it hard. I got a first but I believe only 7 or 8% of people doing my subject did.

I didn't think the teaching was very good but lots if people complain of that at redbricks uni's. I just studied from home more when I realised the lectures were a waste of time

[Fintress]

@OldBlueStitches

I use a Mac and have so far (3rd part time year) has no problem

It's course dependent. I'm interested in physics and planetary sciences and some modules require you to run Windows software, which I could do if I partitioned my Mac hard drive but I don't really want to do that. There may be a different way, don't know.

[DaphneduM]

I did the English literature degree with the OU and I can assure you it's very academically rigorous. I can't recommend it highly enough. So wide ranging, challenging and enlightening. Gaining the degree greatly helped me professionally too, to get promotion and credibility. Before starting, we had an assessment piece to complete, which then gave the lecturer an idea of academic ability. The tutorials were excellent and I can say all my lecturers were very professional and committed. I don't think they do the summer schools any more, which is a shame. I did one at Bath Uni and one at Queen Mary University of London. Both amazing experiences, got to go to workshops at the Globe Theatre and interview the director of Othello, which was being performed there at the time. Ended up with a 2:1, very happy with that - and a fraction of the cost of full time Uni. But more than that it was a totally life changing and life enhancing experience.

[lifechangesforeverinjuly]

I'm halfway through my first year with OU - studying full time on top of a full time job - Psychology. Whilst it is manageable, it is only because they are the first year modules and for someone who's quite tuned in academically, I don't need to pay much attention to the skills that OU lay the foundation for in the first year (I.e. for those returning to study). After year 1 it will definitely ramp up and challenge you - just as a brick uni would.

I love studying with them, you can be as involved or not as you want - I.e. I just want to study and get my degree, I don't care about socialising etc. so I only go to tutorials etc. If I really feel that I need to.

As others have said, the OU courses are viewed extremely favourably, sometimes more so than brick unis, due to the commitment and drive they prove the student possesses.

Good luck!

[LucilleBluth]

My tutor for my current level 3 module has a PhD.....she teaches at a prestigious university. She does OU on the side. If you think it's so easy then why don't you ask for some sample level 2/3 module materials. Do you actually think that OU students are slogging their guts out to study around work and children for nothing, that we are all thick because there's no entry requirements. Do you honestly believe that an ex poly in a provincial town is better.?

[GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER]

Having experience of both 'brick' and OU, albeit with a long gap in between, I found the OU materials excellent, and the modules, especially at level 3 (Honours level) extremely demanding (as well as very interesting). My 2 level 3 modules were Eng Lit, BTW - The 19th Century Novel and Shakespeare. I had not studied Eng Lit before, at least not since O Level so many years before. However I did have experience of writing academic essays.

I did an 'open' BA, so lower level courses were not all lit based - I did several Classical Studies courses, which were also very interesting as well as demanding.
I ended up with a 2:1, which I never really expected, since although I'd always achieved that level in assignments, the 19thC novel exam was an absolute bugger! But I scraped the necessary marks.

I was doing the courses for enjoyment, though did begin to wonder about that when writing my final, double length essay! So can't comment from an employment POV, but from all I've ever heard, employers do value OU degrees highly, since they know the amount of commitment required, especially when fitting them in with work/children, etc.
All the best, whatever you decide to do.

[Smellylittleorange]

What eltonjohn said. Lots of extracts and readings within units...dont forget it is supposed to be accessible to all so will try and not encourage students spending money on books etc.

I have been surprised how many academics I know respect the OU ..from Russel Group to small locals.

People that are snidey tend to be out of ignorance imo.

The online library is fab!

[Toffeelatteplease]

I got my English degree from a decent mainstream university. By the end I worked out in could get away with reading the one or two texts I was doing essays on and a few choice quotes from others that I picked up in 4-5 hours of seminars I had a week. Still got a 2:1, was never a first student anyway. Meh.

Doing an ou degree in a different subject. It's brutal by comparison

[Graphista]

"It's not quantity which is important. You can study one text very closely using a variety of different interpretations rather than studying 15 texts superficially." Exactly - also applies re length of text, some essays/short stories are far more complex than certain novels.

"the 19thC novel exam was an absolute bugger!" That surprises me I found modernism the hardest to get my head round, James Joyce and stream of consciousness etc fried my brain

[PinkyBlunder]

gettinglikemymother you picked the two hardest literature modules there I reckon! That 19C novel exam is notorious! By some miracle I managed to avoid both but got stuck with the brand new (at the time) level 3 Shakespeare to Austen which nearly destroyed me.

With regards to tutors and lecturers, I think all of mine throughout the 6 years lectured at Cambridge full time and in addition, some were published authors.