Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Education

Join the discussion on our Education forum.

Original poster

Anyone gotten a job from an OU?

61 replies

PandaDad93 · 30/06/2023 22:36

Hi, I am retaking my science GCSEs as a 30 year old student this year, and was wondering if the OU is actually any good? I've seen people praising it and some people saying it's a worthless qualification because they can't get a job with it so I was wondering what your experiences with it are.

I want to take A levels, or similar to get into a biomedical sciences degree, preferably at a bricks and mortar uni, but if OUs are just as good, I would consider that option too. I feel like that field would benefit from the practical study, not offered by OU training.

I just wanted to know if anybody who took an OU degree actually landed a job from it.

Thanks!

OP posts:
OneRingToRuleThemAll · 30/06/2023 22:42

I'm 4 years into an economics degree and was promoted at work at the end of year 2. The degree itself didn't get me the job, but it gave me the edge against 10 or so similarly experienced staff who went for the role but didn't have that extra to offer.

prh47bridge · 01/07/2023 08:19

My mother got into teacher training and became a teacher on the basis of her OU degree, and later used it to get a job in software development.

My daughter used her OU degree to become a teaching assistant.

Whitesandblueskies · 01/07/2023 08:43

I used my OU degree to train as an Accountant, at a time when my Professional body only allowed degree entry.

Once professionally qualified (several years post degree) I was offered a role at FD level. That was followed by an FD role in a FTSE 250.

In the course of my career I held several FD roles and eventually started my own Consultancy.

It was definitely the best money I ever spent !!

yorkypuds · 01/07/2023 08:43

I don't have A levels. I did an OU degree and then PGCE. I'm now a teacher. Life experience is just as valid as academic qualifications in my view.

lanthanum · 01/07/2023 08:49

It's a degree like any other. Although obviously the opportunity for lab work is restricted, there are a couple of summer schools where you can go to Milton Keynes and do some lab work for a few days. Or you might be able to find work as a lab technician or similar so that you gain some practical experience on-the-job alongside part-time study.

Chocolate23 · 01/07/2023 08:57

yorkypuds · 01/07/2023 08:43

I don't have A levels. I did an OU degree and then PGCE. I'm now a teacher. Life experience is just as valid as academic qualifications in my view.

I disagree. I don't want my child being taught by teachers with life experience. I want well educated and highly qualified teachers. Unfortunately the standard of teaching is appalling in the UK.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 01/07/2023 09:00

Chocolate23 · 01/07/2023 08:57

I disagree. I don't want my child being taught by teachers with life experience. I want well educated and highly qualified teachers. Unfortunately the standard of teaching is appalling in the UK.

Show quote history

She has a degree though🙄

Singleandproud · 01/07/2023 09:08

Having an OU degree is great, I did Natural Sciences, the practical elements you can do on a residential course at the campus. The module 1 is easy GCSE level introduction, module 2 is GCSE / A level and then module 3 and 4 ramp up and are the same level as year 1&2 at a brick uni, modules 5&6 are the same as a normal uni year 3.

The OU degree itself hasn't gotten me a job ie it wasn't in the essential criteria but interviewers have always been impressed with it, its a good talking point much more so than my original degree decades ago and many interviewers have even shared their own OU story. It gave me many experiences that I have been able to use as evidence during STAR style interviews and it demonstrates your ability to manage your time and prioritise tasks.

6 years is going to pass anyway, you may as well use it for studying and being a degree richer (and tuition fees poorer) at the end of it.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 01/07/2023 09:19

My 16 year old dd is doing a foundation course via OU.

She is a school refuser and it’s cheaper than online A levels with more support. This we’ll give her a level 4 qualification at 18 instead of a Level 3. So to the poster moaning about a teacher without A levels…..not everyone can do A levels So narrow minded.

ApolloandDaphne · 01/07/2023 10:00

I did an OU degree in psychology and used it to go on to train as a social worker. They offer valid and well thought of degrees.

Original poster
PandaDad93 · 05/07/2023 20:16

Thank you for all your replies. By your answers though, it sounds like it has enabled you to gain opportunities you wouldn't have had without a qualification. However, I am concerned because every job that requires a degree states that it needs one, and as a BMS you also need registration, so I am unsure if I could register as one, upon the training you take after your degree.

Still valuable input from you guys though, so thank you. If anybody has gotten a job that requires a degree without having anything other than an OU (at degree level) then let me know :). A couple people above have actually achieved this, by the sounds of it, but I was unsure.. It's getting late and just finished tidying the kids so brain is a bit fried..

OP posts:
Meadowfly · 05/07/2023 20:17

Got, not gotten.

Kimii · 05/07/2023 20:24

We employ some OU graduates and they are fantastic. Tenacious, dedicated and excellent at time management! “some people saying it's a worthless qualification because they can't get a job with it” this makes no sense. It’s a degree!

INeedFridayNow · 05/07/2023 20:26

BSc in IT & Computing got me a job in IT half way through.

Original poster
PandaDad93 · 05/07/2023 20:27

I agree Kimii. I think the lack of former qualifications needed to take the degree puts a lot of people off in terms of seeing it as a proper degree though.

OP posts:
Moredramathanrazzamatazz · 05/07/2023 20:47

Many many OU graduates have gone on to promotions or new careers or postgraduate study as a result of their OU degree. OU degrees and graduates are very well regarded both academically and because of the dedication it takes to do distance learning part time around other commitments. Although you can now do your OU degree full time by distance learning too.

Moredramathanrazzamatazz · 05/07/2023 20:48

I think the lack of former qualifications needed to take the degree puts a lot of people off in terms of seeing it as a proper degree though.

OP, I think you need to do some more research into the Open University, rather than basing your opinion on hearsay from people who don't know anything about it, or your own supposition. And any other degree you might do elsewhere.

Moredramathanrazzamatazz · 05/07/2023 20:49

Got, not gotten.

Both are correct, check the dictionary.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 05/07/2023 20:51

PandaDad93 · 05/07/2023 20:27

I agree Kimii. I think the lack of former qualifications needed to take the degree puts a lot of people off in terms of seeing it as a proper degree though.

And my daughter who has been to unwell to do A levels may have to do an OU degree.

Nice to know there’s people like you around who think like this😒

Nellieinthebarn · 05/07/2023 20:52

I used 3 OU modules instead of A levels to go to a traditional university to do my Social Work degree. It was higher than I needed. I really failed at school for various reasons, but doing OU was a real confidence boost, and without it I would not have even thought that I could do a degree.

MaggieBsBoat · 05/07/2023 20:54

ive got degrees (undergrad and post grad) from three universities- Edinburgh, Surrey and OU. The OU degree was by far the best.
It definitely gave me an edge.

Boofay · 05/07/2023 21:01

I'm about to go into my final year of my ou degree. A lot of employers think more highly of applicants with ou degrees because obtaining that degree involves a huge amount of motivation, self drive, time management skills, with most studying alongside a full time job and a family. OU students are incredibly tenacious, even if I do say so myself! 💁🏻‍♀️

Tyrionapproach · 05/07/2023 21:11

In my experience the people who have a low opinion of the OU are, how can I put this nicely, academic traditionalists who think the only universities worth attending are Oxbridge or, if you're slumming it, Russell group. In the real world, a lot of employers, including my NHS employer, think highly of the OU. This is partly because it shows determination, to complete a degree alongside working and, outside a few little bubbles like academia, the civil service, some medical or legal specialties and the City, a degre is a degree. Not everyone is privileged enough to be able to follow the "approved" middle class plus academic path and toddle along to a full time degree at the age of 18.

My partner went to one of the best universities for her nursing degree in her Commonwealth country and subsequently completed an OU BSc in the UK. Like many of our colleagues, she has found the OU support excellent along with the resources, tuition, and, back in the pre COVID day, the summer school. She's now contemplating teacher training - I hope those of you with snotty opinions about the OU would deem that an academic enough background for your precious rugrats???

(And yes, for what it's worth, I do have more than one degree including two from those traditional universities. I would study with the OU in a heartbeat and be proud.)

ToddlerTerror · 05/07/2023 21:22

I've got an OU degree and whilst my job isn't related to it, all through my career it has given me an edge. It has shown that I am driven, capable of working on my own to a very high level, setting my own work, working to deadlines, teaching myself new information and putting it into practice.
All of my employers have been very impressed with me doing an OU degree alongside working.
I'm in a well paying job now and I wouldn't be here without the OU degree.