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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think an OU degree is not worthless?

55 replies

petitmaman · 10/01/2010 17:28

Went out last night and got talking to a friend f a friend. I am doing an OU degree at the MOment as I cant work. He said that 'OU degrees are for people that sit at home saying they want to use their brains, they arent actually worth anything' was he talking crap or is this true? i thought they were thought quite well of in that it shows that you have the motivation to do something off your own back, or have i been foolong my self? i am doing a degree in childhood and youth studies and want to go into social work /teaching. am quite worried now but please be honest. TIA

OP posts:
skidoodle · 10/01/2010 20:29

YANBU

Some degrees are worthless, but OU degrees are not.

LadyGlencoraPalliser · 10/01/2010 20:38

I am studying my final two courses for an OU degree. I also have a degree from one of the top universities in Britain and Ireland - gained 20 years ago when standards were (supposedly) higher. Guess which degree is more academically rigorous?
The guy is a twat. Don't let him knock your confidence. MY FIL said more or less exactly the same thing to me. I just smiled thinly and changed the subject, as I consider his opinion on the subject so completely uninformed as to be worthless.

Hando · 10/01/2010 20:48

Which ones skidoodle?

cakewench · 10/01/2010 20:57

whew, I'm so glad to read the responses here! :D My stomach sank a bit with the OP (and yes, what kind of rude person would say such a thing!) but I'm heartened to see the replies.

I'm one course away from my Business/Economics degree with the OU. I can't say my marks have been as good as I think I could have done, but over the years I've taken the courses I've had my husband going through chemotherapy treatments (doing well now) and the birth of our child. It's been a busy time.

And I've worked hard for it, so I'm glad to hear it's not "worthless."

Original poster
petitmaman · 10/01/2010 21:03

I am relieved too. The more I thhink about last night. The more Ithink the guy was just an idiot in general. Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
Wineonafridaynight · 10/01/2010 21:05

My MIL studied for an OU degree, finished about 5 years ago and is doing well for herself in her chosen career. She had been a SAHM for years before that so they are not worthless. YANBU to be annoyed!

Wineonafridaynight · 10/01/2010 21:06

Also add that a distance learning degree shows that you are able to tackle more than one thing at once which I think a lot of employers like. Many people are either working whilst studying or are SAHM at the same time and manage to do both at the same time so I think it looks good that you can put your mind to more than one thing at once.

WilfSell · 10/01/2010 21:08

What a fuckwit!

It is well known amongst university researchers and staff that the OU is a coveted and high status place to work. They do excellent and well-supported research, and spend their time designing up-to-date and innovative teaching materials, presented with the best newest teaching methods and technology and excellent collaborators (like the BBC). This is supported by a wide network of well-trained and committed local tutors and brilliant online support. The students are usually committed and hard-working, by default, and usually juggle other challenges.

We jump at the chance of someone with a good OU degree who wants to do postgraduate work because they usually make excellent PhD students...

Wolliw · 10/01/2010 21:11

YANBU
OU degrees are worth as much as any other. In terms of prestige, OU has a reputation comparable to any red-brick University.

I'm applying to study social work at our local newer uni, ex poly college. It's still a degree.

Why are you studying Childhood and Youth Studies and not a Social Work or Teaching degree may I ask. The DipSW is history. You need to do a 3 year degree in Social Work to become a Social Worker these days.

Awassailinglookingforanswers · 10/01/2010 21:12

"Why are you studying Childhood and Youth Studies and not a Social Work or Teaching degree may I ask. The DipSW is history. You need to do a 3 year degree in Social Work to become a Social Worker these days."

I'm guessing as she can't work she had the same problem as me when I chose my degree. To do the Social Work degree you already need to be working in social work (in any capacity) and be registered by your employer.

LurcioLovesFrankie · 10/01/2010 21:14

Hardest way of getting a degree and I have enormous respect for anyone who does one (and I have lectured in a university and supervised PhD students). And they are taken seriously - I knew someone who went on from an OU maths degree to a part 3 maths course in Cambridge (equivalent of a seriously hard masters degree) then a PhD at Oxford.

Awassailinglookingforanswers · 10/01/2010 21:14

and irrc the key children studies ones/teaching ones with the OU also require you do be doing a minimum amount of hours a week "work" in the relevant area as well

Habbibu · 10/01/2010 21:18

I'm doing OU courses atm - have PhD from Russell Group Uni, and have worked in various univs - OU is bloody impressive - course materials and teaching excellent, pace of work challenging, never mind with extra stuff to do. Poor man is clearly an idiot. Look at him with pity next you see him.

Original poster
petitmaman · 10/01/2010 21:23

thanks Awas , that is exacty why. I also have quite a lot of Teaching assistant experience so am hoping both combined will get me onto a primary PGCE when i have finished degree. (fingers crossed will be in a better position to do it then)

OP posts:
meltedchocolate · 10/01/2010 21:34

OH!!!

I have just started a maths degree with the OU (with a vision to teaching it at secondary level first and then get a masters and teach at uni level - hopeful)

I'm 19 and cant get in to unis as a mature adult yet but am a single mum and have to be with my baby (no local childminders). Unfortunately was a terrible teen who took having a baby to finally grow up, so flunked school and wasted my brain.

OU is my only real option.

WashwithCare · 10/01/2010 21:35

Only 2 things wrong with the OU...

  1. it is in Milton Keynes, so if you ever get a job there you will be forced to live in Bedford (becuase it has quaint victorian housing and no one lives in MK)
  1. distance learning is harder - I think, with less opportunities for drunken discussion and random inappropriate couplings with fellow students.

But if you can live with(out) these, your OU degree will be perfect.

I bet your friend has a 2.2 from the University of Luton... hrmmmuumph

Good luck with the studies.

meltedchocolate · 10/01/2010 21:37

Don't do that to me, I nearly had a flaming heart attack!

TheFallenMadonna · 10/01/2010 21:40

I had to laugh at your second point there WWC, because on OU summer schools, some people try to cram three years worth of drinking and random shagging into one week. Not me though - oh no. Well, not the random shagging anyway...

cordonbleugh · 10/01/2010 22:08

meltedchocolate - your situation sounds similar to mine

I went off the rails a bit when I was 16/17, I'd got good GCSE's, but never made it to college to get A levels. Then I got pregnant with DD at 18 and became a single mum.

No option of getting into a brick uni so OU is my only option! And I have to say, I'm loving it so far! It's addictive even if it is hard work.

Me and Awassailing did our last course together and are doing the same one again in feb.

So if you ever want to chat about life as a young single parent OU student then I'd be happy to give you my email

UndomesticHousewife · 10/01/2010 22:23

What an awful rude man, he must have serious self esteem issues to try and put people down like that.

I'm just about to start the Law degree with the OU, it's the only option for me because of childcare for my 3 dc's, but in no way is a lesser degree.
How can it be when it's run together with the College of Law, as a qualifying law degree approved by the Law Society and Bar Standards Board.

Doing an OU degree or even one course shows determination, motivation and huge organisational skills if you have a job or children and employers value that.

I've been to 'proper' university when I was younger and it wouldn't be that great for me now at my age (34). I don't want or need the social aspect of it, I had zero personal contact with any lecturer, and with my friends there we talked about everything except the course.

smallorange · 10/01/2010 22:30

Am so relieved to hear OU is not a waste of time as I am struggling through a psychology degree with them. I already have a 2:1from a red-brick but this is harder and better.
Hope it counts for something when I'm finished!

UndomesticHousewife · 10/01/2010 22:39

smallorange - I did dse212 a few years ago with a view to doing the psychology degree before i changed my mind, I also did the residential school, DXR or something, it was so interesting and you're right it's not easy!

meltedchocolate · 10/01/2010 23:03

That would be great cordon - CAT me

tooembarrassedsonamechanged · 10/01/2010 23:26

Since the subject of OU degrees has been brought up, can anyone tell me if the 'open' degree's are as valuable as the specific ones.

Sorry if I am not making any sense, but I would love to do an OU degree, and spoke to a friend of mine who is doing one atm.

I was leafing through her prospectus of some of the different courses I could do, and my friend told me to do an 'open' degree, where I don't study one particular subject, but rather choose a few different courses, in case I get bored since according to my friend, each course is worth up to 60 points, and I only need so many points to qualify for a degree, and it's not relevant what subject these courses that make up my open degree are in, as far as getting a degree goes.

I am left wondering though, that if I take that path, upon hopefully qualifying, what exactly would I say to prospective employers I have a degree in?

Are employers familiar with this 'open' degree?

Any thoughts on this please would be appreciated.

cordonbleugh · 10/01/2010 23:39

I don't have CAT melted, but you can email me at super jen 70 @hotmail.com but without the spaces obviously!

Look forward to hearing from you!