to sing the praises of the open university?

[KnitFastDieWarm]

I’ve just been offered a fully funded PhD studentship at one of the best university departments in the country for my area of research.

I never imagined I’d get this far when I returned to study with the open university on maternity leave with a 7 month old baby, having been out of education for a decade. Anyone reading this who is thinking of studying as a mature student, whether it’s getting your GCSEs or doing a PhD - do it now! It’s the best thing I’ve ever done for myself and has done incredible things for my confidence and sense of self as a parent and as a professional.

There’s no real point to this beyond; never doubt yourself for a second

Well done! I'm an ex OUer and I have utmost respect for it after then going to a RG uni for postgrad. The materials are fantastic, the support brilliant and the online forum was great for discussing issues with tutors. Would definitely recommend it.

Meant to add that when I have the time I want to apply to OU for post doc, i have really missed it.

Well done you! I loved doing my OU degree and I'm so proud of it. I would love to carry on with postgrad studies.

Thank you. I needed to read this. I’m just about to start a degree course with them this very weekend and I’ve been panicking that I don’t have the time to fit it in and that I’ve been out of education too long (14 years) and i will just be awful at it. So, thank you. Timely advice

In Canada we have a similar institution called Athabasca University. (Their slogan is "Canada's Open University". I took a course through them as a visiting student in my undergrad program and was favourably impressed - no issues getting transcripts and the course was fully transferable to my university. I know people who are doing their post-LPN (state enrolled nurse equivalent in Canada) Bachelor of Nursing at AU. I considered doing a master's there but needed more experience before I could apply.

I have two OU degrees, and I’m forever singing their praises! It’s a marvellous institution!

Love love love the OU. I recommend to people all the time. I have done a lot of studying at a fair few universities and the OU made me feel excited about learning.

It's not for everyone though and you do need a fair bit of self motivation. My exh did it too but didnt last the course. But I think that was just him.
Very well done.

I did a degree with the OU and I now teach there. I can genuinely say the lecturers are some of the most invested people I have met, they all really care about the student welfare and many of them, like me, have done OU courses so know the pitfalls.

If you engage with the material and the tutors it is one of the best Unis out ther (and I teach at others too!)

This is spooky timing, I've been considering going back into education (I'm mid-30s) to pursue my dream of being a nutritionist.

You've given me hope!

Congratulations op!
This is exactly what I needed to read. I'm currently procrastinating. I'm level 2 OU and have an assignment due!!
As a side note though, the OU are fab!

I'm an OU student and love it! So flexible and never feels like I'm on my own with all the support you get

baking that is good to know that it wasn't just my uni. I was gutted when I moved on to a 'red brick', the tutors appeared not to give a toss and it was very impersonal. I second that generally speaking the OU tutors were very invested. Can I ask how you got into working for them and what qualifications you needed?

I love the OU. Great materials and tutors. I recommend them to everyone!

OU is amazing, will shout its praises from the top of the highest mountain

evaperonspoodle I’m an accountant so I have my accounting qualifications, and lots of experience.

I got the job because I checked the website and saw there was a vacancy - they advertise any vacancies here

www.open.ac.uk/jobs/tutors/vacancies

You can also fill in an expression of interest form that notifies you when vacancies in your area comes up.

I would love to go back to study, but how do people afford it?

I'm an OU student and I'm loving every minute

Rino there is student finance in the same way there is for red brick universities, except the fees are cheaper.

Currently in my second year of the OU, on maternity leave with DD. Moving on to PHD is my dream.

Well done!

Mine is fully funded by my employer but I was going to self-fund through student finance before I was awarded the bursary.

I have no idea where to begin, particularly when it comes to paying for an OU degree, can anyone explain the basics to me please?

@StylishMummy you can pay for yourself, but if you don’t have an undergraduate degree already you can get a full loan and possibly a bursary just the same as any 18 year old student going to university straight from school - it seems like a scary amount of money to ‘borrow’ but it’s more like a tax on graduates really. It gets taken straight out of your pay, you only start repaying it once you’re earning over 21k, it doesn’t count as ‘proper’ debt when making mortgage applications etc, and it gets written off after a certain time. Essentially, it’s not scary like a bank loan

You can now also get a similar loan for postgraduate study - that’s what I did as there’s no way I’d have been able to afford it otherwise.

Do let me know if you want to know anything else - it’s pretty confusing if you’re not ‘in’ the system!

And thank you everyone! I feel like women aren’t encouraged to blow their own trumpets enough or believe in their abilities. Anyone hesitating - that was me three years ago. Do it now!

Another alumni here - BA Hons (Open) First Class. They are an amazing institution. I am thinking of going on for postgrad.