To ask for your Open University experiences?

[JorisBonson]

I left school many years ago with very few qualifications. Never held me back, doing ok for myself etc etc.

Would love to do an OU course though, specifically in Criminology. The whole thing baffles me, I'm not sure what level of prior qualifications you need, I don't know how it works and the website does not help (maybe I'm a bit too thick for an OU course .

I've also not studied for anything in 20 years!

If anyone has done anything with the OU would love to hear your experiences.

I did it before the fees tripled a few years ago.

I never struggled academically at school, was always top of the class etc but with the OU I found it extremely hard because the level of discipline and self motivation you need is phoenomenal.
The people who do well are the ones who have the strength and time to be able to dedicate a MINIMUM of 12 hours each week to it - and that is sitting down in a dedicated space and studying, not catching up here and there.

Honestly, I'd have recommended it a few years back (so long as you're committed) but now I really wouldn't - its far far too expensive for what it is now. You'd be better off studying PT at a brick and mortar University, you'd get better value for your money.

It's also worth mentioning that their grade boundaries are far far higher than in a standard university - so to get a 1st you need to average 85%, whereas at a standard uni it's 70%.

Having studied at both, the difficulty level is about the same - if not higher - for the OU, so its literally harder to get a 1st there.

www.wired.co.uk/article/open-university-uk-enrollment-courses-problems

Give them a call to chat things through. Would also be worth phoning a local uni if there are any that do your course part time. As for the grades thing the numbers are different but the standards are the same so a first class piece of work should get a first class grade in any university, it's just that OU numerical scales are different. So the same piece of (just) first class work should get 85% with the OU and 70% at a bricks and mortar uni, it is categorically not harder to get a first with the OU (I have marked work for both).

I did a course a few years ago (Understanding Social Change). I left school at sixteen not knowing what I wanted to do. I was never keen on studying at school on subjects that held no interest for me. Then I worked for a homeless charity (after a stint in the City) and I discovered I felt strongly about human rights and social justice. So I found my passion. My course was only one year (foundation level which meant I could then do degree if I wanted), and I'd always felt like an underachiever for not going to uni.

OU itself - I worked full time. Averaged around 16 hours of study a week (which I did on my commute/weekends). One weekend a month I would dedicate to writing assignments. Tutorials I think were once a week (evenings) which I went to partly to make sure I was focussing on the right areas after so many years of not studying but also to meet others.

I think two things made me disciplined: 1) I was paying to study out of my own pocket, and 2) I was truly interested in the subject.

I studied several modules with them a few years ago. I didn't want to do a degree, as I already have one and there'd be no career benefit to me in getting another one, but I did want to study some specific elements of a degree course so I signed up.

I enjoyed it a lot - the standard of tuition was good and so were the course materials. But people didn't really engage with the online tutorials at all and it sometimes when they did I found it slightly frustrating because there was such a wildly varying level of ability, but I think that was probably due to the specific subject (it was a creative one where talent plays as much of a role as learning). So that element was a little disappointing. Overall, though, a good experience. I had to set aside quite a bit of time to devote to it.

A lot of people on the course didn't have any other qualifications but still did really well, so I wouldn't worry about that at all.

I do recall that the general admin around it - applying, payment, entry requirements, the forums, the website etc - was infuriatingly unclear and overly complicated at the start, but once it was all set up it was fine.

To add to what PenguinBollard said - I had forgotten the fees have gone up. I also did it when it was much cheaper. I don't think the course I did would have been worth three times what I paid to do it, if I'm being completely honest.

I just completed my degree with them and graduated in September. I was so proud of myself! The level of self discipline it teaches you is amazing. I am now doing my masters with the OU. I feel a little out of my depth but I do love what it brings to my life.

I did an OU degree when my daughter was small, it cost peanuts compared to today's fees. I was browsing the website not that long ago and was shocked at the cost of courses, around 18K a full degree qualification. Some of the courses I did 20 years ago are still available! Just had a look at my favourite 30 point course (MT365) and it hasn't changed much at all.

I just completed my degree with them and graduated in September.

Congratulations! An OU degree is bloody hard work, much harder than doing it the traditional way.

Thank you hive mind, this is really useful. And congrats @CantstandmLMs!

I started in September and I love it!

I’m 40, work full time and have children. (Youngest a toddler)

It’s broken down into very manageable chunks, and steps. Really not as daunting as I thought!

Thank you! The degree ceremony was brilliant and quite emotional! Have my graduation photo up in the hallway with pride lol.

I worked full time throughout but it is manageable as @Thehop mentions. There's a heck of a lot more reading on the masters (as to be expected) so I'm trying to be even more disciplined than I was!

I would say go for it. The OU are brilliant at asking any questions you might have and the teams have always been very supportive.

I signed up just before the fees went right up and afaik I must be one of the last people who graduated paying the old fees (graduated in 2017)

I'm going to say that overall i loved it. Individually I did a LOT of crying. I studied PPE and did one 60 credit module (I did honours - so 360 credits) per year (that is considered part-time). I worked full-on full time hours and when i started my DC were in about 3rd or 4th year secondary school. DH works normal 7-3 type job

I did a LOT of studying on my commute (3+ hours a day) and because i could take up to an hour for lunch i used to study most lunchtimes. (there is a LOT of reading in PPE, especially the philosophy* module i did which made me cry. A lot. So much crying)

you have to be super organised - but 16 hours or so a week (minimum, some subjects benefit from a lot more extra curricular reading than others) but I'm a procastinator so i also did a few last minute days off finishing a T(utor) M(arked) A(ssessment). Mine had 3 exams, at the end of each of a P, P & E module, and 3 E(nd) of M(odule) A(ssessments) which are basically like Longer Essays/Shorter Dissertations

I really appreciated my 4 month summer break (did all my non-OU reading) and while I was studying outsourced all my cleaning (to one of my daughters, but i wold have got a cleaner if she hadn't wanted to do it).

If you do this one, the first module is an Introduction to the Social Sciences. I loved the one i did - but it has been updated. Not sure how the new one is. (ask on Twitter or on one of the OU Facebook groups)

www.openuniversity.edu/courses/qualifications/r46

The good thing about the OU is you only commit yourself to one module at a time. 60 credits is one year. So if you can't continue, you still get a mini qualification, and diplomas are also available.

I did half a degree before the fees went up, had to have a break due to maternity/babies, and never completed because of the fee increase.

It was good while I did it though.

I'm currently studying DD105 ( first module in Criminology degree ) and I'm really enjoying it.

I don't have any previous qualification, I did an access module before starting the degree to help me get back into studying which helped a lot.

You get sent the relevant textbooks for your module before it begins and the website becomes easy to navigate. Once you're enrolled you have access to the module website which guides you on what to study each week and how to allocate your time. There are tasks to do on the website and there are online tutorials with your tutor as well as 4 hour long lectures every now and then in person in most cities.

You submit an assignment every month roughly and your tutor gives you detailed feedback about 10 days later and they're always available by email or phone if you have any questions. There's also Facebook and WhatsApp groups for people studying the same module so you've always got support.

I'd go for it :)

That had paragraphs when I posted, sorry!

I'm onto my third year of an OU business management degree. I dont work but I do have 4dc the youngest was 4 months when I started. It's hard work but manageable.
There's lots of support, you could attend day schools if you want to or there are online alternatives
I've just got my results back from my first level 2 assignment and managed 93% which I'm over the moon with!
Go for it it's definitely worth the effort.

oh also the Open Learn website has free taster courses for loads of the things they offer, worth looking at.

but check other unis - most places do part-time or distance learning these days, you might find something better.

I very nearly enrolled in a course with OU, but was put off by their call centre staff. I found them lacking in knowledge and a bit salesperson-y. Was super off putting. It is very expensive as well, as a pp says. But, I suppose, seeing as you haven't got a degree yet, you might be able to get a loan to cover it? Or is that for FT study only?

Even still, it's a lot of money to pay back.

I think I would only do it if an employer was laying for it, dreadful as that sounds.

*paying

I'm doing an Open University degree in Economics. Yes the fees are expensive, but I have a student loan so I don't have to pay it all up front.

I have ambition way beyond my current job and have another 35 years of work until retirement. This gives me the opportunity to work, be a mum and study all at the same time.

Well I should be studying right now but instead I am here replying to this post!

Pros: It fits around family life,
You can study full or part time.
There are lots of subject options.
Most of the material is well written.
You can study when it suits you.
You don't have the commute back and fourth to uni..

Cons:
It can be isolating.
Yes it fits around life and you can study full or part time but the work still needs to be done. I personally find it hard enough keeping up with part time.
This leads to it taking a long time, don't underestimate how long 6 years feels.
If I would have known what I wanted to do and had childcare I would have rather spent my time and money doing a degree with a professional qualifications attached at brick uni.
It's expensive.
People assume because you are not at a different location that it doesn't matter if they interrupt your study time.
Alot of people don't seem to understand the commitment it takes..

Sorry about the bad grammar ECT, no time to read through. I need to get back to studying.

I'm currently doing a degree part time with the ou. It's hard. You have to be really committed to making time to study. There are weekly plans on what you should be doing but no one enforces it so if you want to go off plan and do things out of order then that's up to you.

Any questions feel free to ask.

Fees: If you don't already have a degree, you're entitled to a student loan. That is only paid off when you're earning above a certain threshold (£2143/month at the moment, I think), and then you only pay 9% of your earnings above that level. After 30 years, anything you haven't repaid is written off and you owe nothing more. So although it's a debt, it's not there forever and you don't have to pay anything if you're not earning a reasonable amount.
(The fees went up because the government changed how they fund university education. OU is still cheaper than most universities - although if you're using the student loan, that probably makes little difference unless you're earning enough that you pay off the lot before 30 years. Because you can mix study and work, living costs may be less of an issue.)

Study time: Each 30 credit module is expected to take 8/9 hours a week, doubled for a 60 credit module. 120 credits is equivalent to full-time study. Most modules are 30 or 60 credits, and you can decide whether to study 30/60/90/120 credits at once. A full honours degree is 360 credits.

Entry requirements: No formal entry requirements; the first modules do not assume very much at all. There are some access modules which can be a useful way to start if you've not done much study since school; you may be able to do one for free.

Distance learning versus campus: This depends on your personal circumstances. OU works very well for some people, as it fits around other commitments, but it does mean you need to be a bit of a self-starter. If you do an access module, that gives you an idea; some people then decide a campus university would work better for them.

I've done aa100 and currently doing a105. I hve a student loan though so no fees.