Open University

[EllaAlright]

I was originally accepted onto an English Literature and creative writing full time degree at my local university. Unfortunately my circumstances have changed and it looks like attending a traditional university probably won’t be an option.

I’ve looked into the OU, and I do think the flexible study options could fit around my life, as I can choose each year wether to study full or part time, and the modules do look really interesting. I’m in England so the fees are 3k a year for part time study, and 6k a year for full time study.

I’m 39 and will be self funding. I’d hopefully like to get into teaching or carry on to do an MA in linguistics after I’ve completed the degree.

AIBU to think that an OU degree is just as well regarded as a degree awarded from a traditional university?

It would be interesting to hear from people who have gone down the Open University route.

I'm about to start my 5th year of studying with the OU and I would recommend it to anybody as long as you're a good learner. I always felt daft saying I'm doing university and then explaining I don't actually go to a university but people seem to accept it the same way they would if I attended a brick & mortar establishment, if anything I get praised more because I'm having to teach myself things.
I had a friend who went to uni and her partner studied with OU and she said the workload with OU was threefold what she was having to do and she had a lot of respect for anybody that was able to do it. It's hard work but it will be worth it when I have my degree. A degree is a degree, it doesn't matter how/where you acquired at! 😊

I did my degree with the OU, coincidentally also in English Literature. It was enough to get me accepted onto a masters degree programme at a well respected university if that makes any difference. I applied to three places (Birmingham, Sheffield and Edinburgh) and got an offer from each.

Yes. Getting a degree from OU requires a lot of self motivation. That is respected and a desirable characteristic.

I did my degree through the OU. I think you have to be more self disciplined because it isn't flexible around deadlines and submission dates. But you are right, you can choose how many modules you want to do. I only did one at a time (was working and a foster carer).
I am immensely proud of my OU degree and I went on to do post-grad qualification afterwards.

OU is the future of higher education

I am in my 2nd year of OU study at the moment.

I was thinking about transferring to the OU, but I heard that is not as difficult as a degree from a traditional university. Is the content rigorous? I do wonder how anyone manages to pass with the lack of resources (no library etc.)

The OU is pretty expensive at 6k/year though. Thought it would be considerably less.

I've been studying with the OU since 2016 and have 2 years left. It's become a big part of my life and I love it. It's definitely highly regarded, whenever I tell people about it, employers included, it's always looked at positively.

I also did an English Literature degree with the OU and would recommend it to anyone. Great support and content and well respected degree.

I did an OU degree. They have an extensive online library and groups to interact with other students. As long as you can be disciplined about study time and deadlines it's great.

I have an open degree from the ou. I really enjoyed doing most of it. It does depend on how good your tutor is as to how well supported you feel. I always got good tutors but I did see complains from other people.
Students usually set up Facebook and WhatsApp groups for the modules do you can talk to people on your course.
My only complaint would be that in my final year they stopped sending out printed materials and everything was online. I had to request a hardcopy of the materials because I am dyslexic and just couldn't cope with it all on a screen.

Also the ou has a really extensive library it is just online. They have librarians too so if you need help finding something you just ask them.

Thank you for the encouraging replies. I’ve been a sahm for the last 5 years, my youngest is 3 and goes to nursery 2 days a week (before lockdown).

I was just mindful that if I did my degree at traditional university, I would be out of the workplace for an extra 3 years. So my plan is to study my degree with the OU as I’ve applied for an administration volunteering role within a local charity for one day a week (on a day my son will be at nursery). When he goes to school next year, I’ll have developed a recent work history and that may have developed into other opportunities for progression, and I will have more flexibility with time.

I’m just working through the free futurelearn writing fiction course that is provided by the OU and the quality of it is fantastic, so that’s always swaying me towards the OU path.

I’m not getting any younger, so I do think my priority is getting some experience in the workplace, but I don’t want to give up my dreams of studying literature

It’s really reassuring to hear success stories from OU students, thank you.

A large number of teachers at my school studied their first degree with the OU or are doing further study. I'm going into my 5th year and they give me a day off a fortnight to study.

If you want to teach though you need to get into schools as a TA or cover supervisor so you know what you are getting yourself in for and have realistic expectations of what the job entails.

I started with the ou in feb, opted to just do one module rather than the 2 it takes for full time study, you do have to be strict with yourself with regards to studying and I did find myself this week writing an assignment the morning it was due which I don’t recommend but I am absolutely loving it, I am going to do 1 module in October then go full time for the second and third year as I don’t want to take 6 years to complete. I am studying history and am looking at doing the pgce afterwards to become a teacher. The first module which I am doing now is the same across the board for many subjects including English and is called an introduction to humanities, it comes with 3 course books and you have to buy the 3 set reading books, each section consists of 3-4 topics then you pick one to write your essay on. Essays start at 600 words and gradually increase. As far as I know the ou is actually looked on with great respect as it’s still a degree but you are very much in charge of it rather than the more hands on approach at a brick uni. My tutor is great and always there if I need anything but so far other than his feedback on my assessments we have had no contact as I haven’t needed anything, if you have any questions let me know

I agree with the op who suggested getting into a school, rather than volunteering at a charity you would be better asking to help out in a local school for a day a week, it will be unpaid but might lead to a ta position if one becomes available and you are a good helper. It will give you the experience you need to do the pgce and also let you decide if teaching is what you want to do

I’m hoping when I’ve developed a recent work history, I can then move on to getting some experience in schools, whilst still working through my degree.

I agree that the cost does seem quite steep, and that if I lived in N.I, Scotland or Wales, it would be a third of the price, but it it what it is.

Wejustdontknow, Yes, my first module is discovering arts and humanities, that I’ll be starting in October, and then the second one, cultures has a February start date, so I can do 120 credits in the first year with staggered modules. Pleased you’re enjoying it, the syllabus does look really interesting for A111, so I’m looking forward to getting started with it.

Before getting into a school I had thought teaching would be lovely. It still has its lively moments but my aspirations have moved from being Miss Honey-like to thinking actually the Trunchball might have been onto something, that might just be secondary though.

Haha that was meant to say lovely moments but it has its lively ones too.

Getting TA experience is a good idea but don't expect it to give you an idea of what teaching is really like- the two jobs are very, very different.

I found my degree with the OU to be relatively easy to be honest, I had a look at my DS's university work (popular high in the league tables university) and it was comparable to what I had to do. As long as I was organised and kept on top of the work then it was fine, when I started my MA I didn't find it harder than the other students so I expect that the OU is at the level expected.

I am half way through a childhood studies degree with the OU. I work part time and have a young family. It works well for me.

It's fine and its degrees are accepted by other institutions.

Their courses are really well put together, with lots of different types of resources - written, audio, video, tutorials, tutor availability by email and phone. They are excellent at online learning. It's nothing like a standard university that's had to put a few lectures and tutorials online.

I'm going to be going into my last year in October. Roughly £3000/yr for the degree.
I have loved the OU, my tutors over the last 2 years have been amazing. Course content is excellent. I highly recommend OU. Good luck

Although, I wonder how relevant experience in a primary school is if I want to work with secondary age students?

I wonder wether volunteering at a youth club or the ymca might be more beneficial?