Anyone gotten a job from an OU?

[PandaDad93]

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!

The best teacher I ever had got her science degree from the OU. It's a good qualification. It wouldn't put me off or draw me to a candidate, it's neutral. The only downside especially for young ones is it isn't the same 'university experience'. But if you are a bit older, a retrainer, working or someone who would really benefit from the remote learning/access elements I think it's great.

If you want the BMS registration though you should prioritise courses that offer this either as part of it or say it's easy to get on course completion.

I have an OU masters and normal university masters. No difference. I worked at the OU summer schools for a bit and it's a normal degree but as a university they do distance learning only.
You can qualify as a solicitor I think completely through the OU.

I have a friend who got her (second) degree in some form of biology from the OU whilst working full time which was . She went on to get a (second) doctorate at a bricks and mortar uni and then has continued in research.

I got my (second) degree from the OU whilst a sahm of newborns/toddlers. It definitely helped me return to work after a number of years out as they referenced it when they offered me the job.

An OU degree is just as valid as any other degree. I haven't heard of any employers who have rejected it. Some value it more because in most cases people who have OU degrees are more mature, and have worked full time while taking the degree

Unfortunately the standard of teaching is appalling in the UK.
What evidence do you have for this?. In my experience the standard of teaching is extremely high in the UK.
And the person mentioned has a degree and a teaching qualification, how is that not highly educated?

DH left school without a single qualification in his early 30s did an OU degree in technical engineering now one of the most senior engineers in the world of motoring/motor racing.

That’s Impressive @Lonecatwithkitten

I work with second / third chance students and these stories are great to reassure them.

As a recruiting manager, I have made offers to OU graduates. I do not consider them to be any lesser than graduates from bricks and mortar universities. The OU grads I have taken on have pretty much always shown themselves to be hard working, resourceful and resilient employees.

I used my OU degree to get my current job. I couldn’t get into a regular uni without an access course as I didn’t have A-levels. The OU didn’t require any qualifications, so it meant I could start my degree straight away. I was able to continue working, so I completed my degree debt free. I did a paid internship during my final year.

I applied for a lot of jobs afterwards and to be honest, most places didn’t even offer my an interview, but I got 2 really good job offers, including from the company where I did the internship. It doubled my income and I’m so happy I did it.

I also agree with 2 posters, if you want a career as a HCPC registered BMS you need to ensure that the OU degree, or any other you consider, will allow you to register with the HCPC once you graduate, or the degree needs to be HCPC accredited.

The HCPC 'inspect' the course regularly, poss every 5 years to ensure all that uni's graduates are of an acceptable standard.

If you want to work in the NHS then you will need to be HCPC registered, so be careful in what you select.

Generally speaking, a degree that leads to HCPC registration has a 50% placement: 50% academic split and I'm not sure how the OU can achieve that- so check!