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AIBU?

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Original poster

Open University

88 replies

reallymate · 13/12/2018 00:17

Posting on here for traffic please ignore if you're not interested it takes much more effort to post a rude response. Has anyone done a law degree (or any degree I guess) with the open university and if so how hard was it? Would you recommend it? And what are you doing now having done it (if you've finished it)? Thanks

OP posts:

Sleephead1 · 13/12/2018 06:53

im not with OU but im doung mt acsess to higher edicatuon degree online. For me i like quiet a lot of reassurance so find it hard not being able to just ask the tutor you can obviously send a message but have to wait for a reply. You also need to be self motivated which is hard for me at times but I'm really enjoying it and I work part time and have my little boy so I can fit it in nicely. I don't know if I could do a degree online I think it depends on your personality if it works for you or not. My friend tried but couldn't keep going she just couldn't motivate but was working nearly full time aswell so that's obviously hard.

Sleephead1 · 13/12/2018 06:54

sorry for typos my phone is driving me mad!

Bunnybaubles · 13/12/2018 09:14

I'm in my second year at OU studying the primary teaching degree. I started with a background in sales, no experience of teaching and no school placement either and doing really well so far. Although I will look for some type of position in school later to gain some experience.

I just had a baby but studying around her is easy (so far 😁) There are lots of students on the module chat forums who work irrelevant jobs to their chosen degree, single mothers, those with very young family etc.

It is definitely tailored to be accessible to everyone. You don't need formal qualifications to apply, and if your chosen career requires additional qualifications the degree does not provide you simply acquire them during your time studying - I know some who did night classes at college for example.

My brother went from working as a head chef (while studying an IT degree) to gaining his degree and landing a job in IT which he loves, no prior experience before getting the job other than studying.

There are funding options also and in some cases studying will be free so worth looking into that aswell 😊

4TeensAndABaby · 13/12/2018 09:21

Me! I did my Law Degree through the OU. It took 6 years. I'm a mum, and was working full time.
It's quite full on. There's a lot to read and digest, but there are lectures locally to you that you can attend and are run by your tutor.
The support you receive is amazing. My tutor was great, and always available to answer any questions etc.
Before I did the full degree, I did a small 6 week course (Starting with Law) or something similar. That gave me a small insight into what to expect. The first 4 years you follow the course, but the last 2 years you choose modules to make up your points. there are different areas of law which you can select.
Having completed the degree, I'm not actually working in a field which requires it, but I love having the knowledge anyway.
Oh, and be prepared for a huge delivery of Law Textbooks! If you have anymore questions please do ask

sashh · 13/12/2018 09:39

I started a single unit with them in October, I have been to a number of unis (bricks and mortar) but this has been my most positive experience.

ballstomonty · 13/12/2018 10:27

OP for a law degree have a look at CiLEX courses

katmarie · 13/12/2018 10:34

I'm doing a psychology degree with the OU. I highly recommend them, the materials and support are excellent, and the tutors are very accessible. You don't need to be working in the field to complete the degree, I'm not (although I have no doubt it helps). They have 3 year and 6 year options however are still considered part time study for any loan or maintenance grant type applications. So worth looking very carefully at what financial support you might need as a part time student.

tillytrotter1 · 13/12/2018 11:18

I did an OU degree when the children were very small to stop myself going mad. It was hard work, I got some credits because I had a Teaching Certificate so it took me 3 years. I'm not sure of the structure these days but I did a couple of courses each year.
The children knew when Mummy was doing her OU work and I made sure that I had time available as they played, this was pre all-day TV, videos etc so I had to organise their time too. They were very proud to come to my graduation eventually.

OllyBJolly · 13/12/2018 11:26

I have studied two Masters and assorted other subjects with the OU. (Be aware, it's addictive!)

I was a single parent when I started the MBA. DCs were both under 4. I was confined to the house in the evenings anyway and thought it would give me something to do and help me get a better job. I'd say the quality of teaching and support was way better than that experienced by friends at bricks and mortar universities. It helps that the tutors tend to be senior industry people rather than academics. It was challenging; especially as essays tended to coincide with work deadlines and sick children but I got there. It's been great for me in terms of career - not so much the bit of paper but the knowledge and confidence I gained.

I then managed to transfer the credits to gain another masters degree over two years. Once I finished that I did a few other courses for interest, with a half hearted view of doing another degree.

When my kids were teenagers I just didn't have the emotional energy to study so my experience is it's better to do it when DCs are young.

PoutySprout · 13/12/2018 11:31

I’m 2/3rds if the way through an open degree, and I’ve picked subjects that I’m
Interested and have value in my career.

I did look at law, but it’s basically to prepare you for being a solicitor l, which I don’t want to be.

LMW1990 · 13/12/2018 11:35

I am enrolled and registered to start the LLB in Feb, albeit I have transferred credit from my previous study at a bricks and mortar university so I am exempt from, at least, the first year modules. In fact I only needed 60 more credits to graduate but they only allow so many to be transferred. I'm excited and looking forward to prospect of studying again. The syllabus looks similar to the one I studied previously but I like the idea of not having to sit in traffic to get to lectures etc. I'd say go for it!

SootSprite · 13/12/2018 11:39

As others have said, Go for it OP. The OU is great and very flexible.

Like KnitFast I’ve also just finished an MA, having done my BA with the OU as well! (Wondering if knitfast is a fellow A826er 😂)

Frosty66611 · 13/12/2018 11:41

I did a psychology degree with the OU (it was meant to be over 5 years but I doubled and tripled up modules to get it done in 3 years).
I found the first year easy but it definitely got harder and some of the exams were very intensive. I got a 2:1 but slogged my guts out for it.
Unfortunately it didn’t really help me get a well paid job afterwards as I really needed to go on to do post grad training but I couldn’t afford to. I would still recommend it as somewhere to get a degree from though as I found the support was great.

AdamNichol · 13/12/2018 11:44

DW tutors for OU.

In her time there, she has seen their core business move from essentially housewives/empty-nesters looking for some sort of fulfillment to those looking to gain a qualification for a job whilst working elsewhere.

Brick Uni's provide a more intense experience of lectures/seminars and collaborative working. OU is more personal motivation, with some seminars for sharing of thoughts. OU is also likely to be ore immediately accessible to someone out of education for a period of time (brick uni's mostly cater to the straight from college mob).

beenandgoneandbackagain · 13/12/2018 11:44

A colleague did their Law degree and is now under supervision to become a solicitor. However, he worked within the legal department of the institution, so was able to do "hands on" stuff during his studies.

slashlover · 13/12/2018 12:47

Currently in my second year (of six) for a Psychology degree. The only thing I have to watch is that I'm the queen of procrastination and there's nobody there to push you along and force you to do the work so you have to be very disciplined.

Cherries101 · 13/12/2018 13:03

The OU creates it’s on books. It’s possible on some courses for students to get a 1st without ever reading an external or good text in their subject. That is why it’s absolutely vital for you to be already working in your industry of choice when you start a course because you won’t be learning anything applicable if you don’t. Apart from specific courses they also don’t mandate the learning or application of IT skill. I am studying with the OU and I also hire people in my industry — I wouldn’t hire someone who wasn’t working / working in another field while studying for it unless they also have experience in my field.

KayM2 · 13/12/2018 13:08

Well, Cherries, you are talking of a specific circumstance.

As you have seen, the vast majority of posts have very different things to say, about very different courses. You may be basing opinion of the OU on very narrow , specific ,criteria. There are oodles of courses, and I, like many others, always sought to at least long list people with OU degrees, other things being equal, as we know that the courses are good, and that the applicant has shown stickability and motivation over a number of years.

anneofavonlee · 13/12/2018 13:16

The OU creates it’s on books. It’s possible on some courses for students to get a 1st without ever reading an external or good text in their subject.

I did a social science (and got a 1st) and it at level 3 stage you had to do independent research, sticking to the textbooks was not sufficient.

OP I did an OU degree and a MSc in a prestigious RG university. I personally found the OU materials much better. There is a variety of text/video format which is stimulating and keeps you on your toes. Loads of support too. I personally found the red brick experience quite isolating as a mature student.

theveryhighlife · 13/12/2018 13:17

Do it!
Nobody ever regrets getting a good education. That's the wonderful thing about it.
I'm currently studying psychology with them. My friend started a Law degree with them this year and is really enjoying it. There are online career fairs and lots of advice on where to get experience in the field you want to work in too.
Open learn through the OU will have some taster modules you could look at - all for free

VanGoghsDog · 13/12/2018 16:40

I did! Finished in 2014. How hard it is surely depends on the individual?

But I absolutely loved it and really miss doing it. I should say, I got a first, I say that because obviously I tell everyone!
But I was amazed I could do a degree, amazed it was law, amazed I seemed capable of it and totally shocked I got a first. But I did really commit to it.

It has helped with work, it's not useful in my job as such but you learn more structured thinking, it looks good on the CV and many roles in my field ask for a degree even if it's not remotely necessary.

Gwenhwyfar · 13/12/2018 18:33

"The OU creates it’s on books. It’s possible on some courses for students to get a 1st without ever reading an external or good text in their subject."

That is true.
In my time they even went as far as discourage external reading in the first year.
However, I don't see how you get from that to needing to be working in the field as that would be more to do with having practical skills wouldn't it?

"
I did a social science (and got a 1st) and it at level 3 stage you had to do independent research, sticking to the textbooks was not sufficient"

I also did a social science degree with the OU and didn't have to do independent research as far as I remember. Maybe a tiny bit was required, and some was encouraged but only at level 2 or 3.

I completely agree about the quality of the courses.

Gwenhwyfar · 13/12/2018 18:35

"Nobody ever regrets getting a good education. "

Not quite true!

Gwenhwyfar · 13/12/2018 18:36

"Brick Uni's provide a more intense experience of lectures/seminars and collaborative working. "

I never did any collaborative working at my brick uni (admittedly it was 20 years ago and some of my friends in other subjects did have project work).

Gwenhwyfar · 13/12/2018 18:40

"it just doesn't provide you with the hands on experiences and people skills you need to study law and succeed. "

How does a brick uni provide you with these?

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