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 graduated yesterday. Hands down best thing I ever have done.

HP I must admit I hate the move towards online resources, but this is how all universities are operating, it isn't exclusive to OU. What are the free courses that OU offers?

I don't know if anyone has said this already, but just in case, if you're in Scotland it's a third of the price as the rest of the UK. (Actually I think Wales is too) And you can also get a part time fee grant if you earn under £25k. This always causes outrage in the OU FB Page but it was a Westminster decision to increase fees, not an OU one.
I am currently studying with OU and love it. Course materials are well constructed, you can use the SONAL scheme to study in your local uni library. Study-wise, theres a lot of reading (english lit) and a push towards Online tutorials. Face to face are are so much better. I would say go for it. I am due to graduate next year and I know I will miss my time at OU

I graduated this year with a 2:1 honours degree in Psychology and can say studying with the OU was a very challenging but enjoyable experience.

I found the level 1 modules relatively easy, but it did get harder for levels 2 and 3. I studied while working full-time and had my two kids to take care of as well, so most of the studying had to be done during the night. It did require a lot of self-discipline and determination, so I needed to have strong motivation to succeed or I would have given up.

The support you get from the tutors depends on - the tutors you happen to get. Most of them reply to your emails within 48 hours and are very helpful and thorough in the advice they give. However, the final year I had a tutor who would take 5-7 days to reply, which wasn't really ideal. However, they also have a Student support team that can help if your tutor is not doing what they should.

Overall, I would recommend OU study. If you are motivated enough, you will have a good chance of succeeding and will be surprised at how much you can accomplish!

So when I did it over 4 years ago I loved it. At the time they were phasing out the monthly classes where everyone would meet up in person which I really enjoyed

I ended up making the move from OU to local uni as it made sense both time wise and financialy wise

I graduated in 2017 from the OU with a 2:1 in Law which I was able to study part time over 4 years. (I then went on to do the LPC with the University of Law and I’m now on a training contract to qualify as a solicitor).

The OU gave me the opportunity and flexibility to study whilst working part time and raising a young child which I’m grateful for, and receiving confirmation that I’d passed my final exams made all the late nights and stress worth it!

The majority of courses the OU offer have no prior study requirements either which is great as I left school with GCSES but didn’t go on to do A-Levels - something that most Unis would’ve required I complete first.

I would say the following:

• the tutors seem to vary in their helpfulness and their marking criteria. I was fortunate with mine but other students I spoke to had some awful experiences.

• I was sent textbooks which was great as I like to have physical books I can read through and tab but I think now the majority of it is all online

• when I studied we had monthly tutorials to go over the material and also meet other students. I think the face to face tutorials have been phased out for a lot of the courses now.

I would recommend the OU, I think although it’s not the cheapest route it’s a great way to study if you have other commitments and need the flexibility of being able to study from home. I think more brick Unis are now offering more distance learning courses though (eg Birkbeck offers a criminology one that is cheaper than the OU but requires evening attendance 3 x per week).

Good luck!