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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to use a NI address for cheaper OU fees?

90 replies

fakepersonwithfakename · 19/05/2019 21:45

I've NCed for this.

I would like to do an OU degree in a subject I'm interested in, but it would cost about £18,000 for the 360 units required which I really can't justify, especially as it's not even work-related.

If I lived in NI it would cost closer to £6,000, which I could probably afford spread over the duration of the course.

I have family in NI and could easily use one of their addresses and get them to send on any textbooks etc. They wouldn't mind me doing this.

Is this a terrible idea? And is it immoral? AIBU to consider it?

OP posts:
Freudianslip1 · 20/05/2019 09:38

I'm sure when I registered every year for a module I had to go into the OU office with photographic ID and a utility bill showing my name and address. This was ten years ago though so may have changed.

NoBaggyPants · 20/05/2019 09:40

It's fraud. You'll be found out when your details are submitted to the (NI equivalent of the) DfE. Remember the funding still has to come from somewhere, the difference is in NI etc it comes from the state but in England it comes from the individual.

Are you interested in a STEM subject? If so there is funding available for second degrees. There are many people on my course that have chosen that route for exactly that reason!

NoBaggyPants · 20/05/2019 09:41

@Freudianslip1 No need to show your ID in person, although obviously you have to attend your exam at the location you're registered in.

Gatesgate · 20/05/2019 09:44

OU student here.

Cant see how you wouldn't give away your location, tutors are allocated based on location, you'd be in groups with people based on location and you'd have to potentially attend days based on location or residential courses on some courses.

Your tutor would know by calling you on a UK mobile for a start...

Fraxion · 20/05/2019 09:47

Is this a terrible idea? And is it immoral? AIBU to consider it?

Yes, yes and yes. As most people have said, it's fraud pure and simple.

LindsayDenton · 20/05/2019 09:48

I really wouldn’t tell them you lived elsewhere to get cheaper fees. If it was me, I’d always be worrying they’d find out and I’d get prosecuted, so it would cast a real shadow over my education, and as you say if it’s for a hobby then it’s more about personal enjoyment and fulfilment.

By the way, the OU is not a Mickey Mouse uni, nor is the degree thought of any less than what you would get at a traditional university.

Also, if you go onto the OpenLearn through the OU website, there’s some fantastic free resources and courses on there in all kinds of subjects, I’m just about to start something on grammar and the English language.

Fraxion · 20/05/2019 09:48

Also what Gatesgate said. No way would you get away with it and no way should you.

LoafofSellotape · 20/05/2019 09:48

I would have no issues doing it if it was just this side of being legal.

Manclife1 · 20/05/2019 09:54

@LoafofSellotape but it isn’t. It’s firmly on the illegal side!

LucilleBluth · 20/05/2019 09:56

Ha Micky Mouse eh. Well I have one exam left to do and then six years of part time study will be over. I have three children, work full time and have a DH who works away during the week. I'm damn proud of what I've achieved with the OU.

How dare people belittle what it takes to study for a degree as a mature student.

LindsayDenton · 20/05/2019 10:03

@LucilleBluth it’s just ignorance, thankfully most people don’t share this view.

blanketsandtea · 20/05/2019 10:13

I could get a loan elsewhere/credit card etc but I can't justify 18 grand on a degree that I'd be doing as a hobby

Find a cheaper hobby then. Preferably one you can do without committing fraud.

Absolutepowercorrupts · 20/05/2019 11:02

hopeygoflightly
The Open University is not a "Mickey Mouse" uni and you would do well to educate yourself about the OU before you make such ridiculous statement.

TeaKettleBell · 20/05/2019 12:45

“Your tutor would know by calling you on a UK mobile for a start...”

Oh for God’s sake.
NI is part of the UK, our mobile numbers do not have 353 in them.

Gatesgate · 21/05/2019 16:26

I know I have enough contact with my tutor she would very quickly figure out I am not in NI if I tried this...

Not easy to get away with as well as being wrong

Plinney · 21/05/2019 16:54

Why is it so much cheaper in Northern Ireland?

Genuine question.

Fraxion · 21/05/2019 16:59

Ha Micky Mouse eh. Well I have one exam left to do and then six years of part time study will be over. I have three children, work full time and have a DH who works away during the week. I'm damn proud of what I've achieved with the OU.

Congratulations! Studying for a degree with the OU is far harder than studying one at a traditional university. I've done both and the latter was a walk in the park compared to OU, especially the level 3 courses. I remember crying my eyes out in frustration over MT365 but to this day it remains my favourite module ever.

Freudianslip1 · 21/05/2019 17:15

I much preferred the OU to my RG Federico

I've been thinking though I wonder how many actually do it as it would be fairly easy. In most of my modules I didn't attend tutorials, have phone contact with tutor or need to attend anything other than the exam. Someone said your details are passed onto DfE, is that a routine thing or only when applying for finance?

Freudianslip1 · 21/05/2019 17:17

RG redbrick, I did not attend any Frederico's.

00100001 · 21/05/2019 17:21

Plinney

"Why is it so much cheaper in Northern Ireland? "

Government subsidies i.e. tax payers money

PotteringAlong · 21/05/2019 17:22

I don’t think the poster was saying that the OU was a micky mouse university: I think she was saying you might pay much less if you find a Micky mouse university to do the course at...

Plinney · 21/05/2019 17:25

001

Do you mean the subsidies to N.I. Open University studies come from the national UK government at Westminster (not N.I. local government/assembly)?

I'm trying to understand why a person in England should pay £18k and a person in N.I. £6k. It seems grossly inequitable.

StoorieHoose · 21/05/2019 17:27

It's up to the devolved governments how they spend their budget. And this may shock you - people outwith England do pay taxes too you know!!

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 21/05/2019 17:34

If it's for fun, I'd look at the Oxford dept of continuing education (I used to compete in a performance sport at University and lots of people did short courses with them to keep their student status!). They're not that expensive, and you can add them up over time to a 'full' qualification.

Plinney · 21/05/2019 17:35

Obviously they pay taxes - no need to be condescending and sarky. However that doesn't explain the simply massive difference.

Devolved governments I realise can make decisions too - so thats what I was asking. However, I still suspect there must be overall incredibly unfair subsidies going on overall to have such a difference.