Has anyone studied a masters course with the Open University?

[user2466]

Hi,

I’m looking at doing a part-time Masters course with the Open University and was wondering if anyone could share their experiences please?

I’d like to know what course you did and how you found it. How much of it was independent (I prefer studying independently at my own pace). I’d also like to know if the Masters qualifications provided by the Open University are actually recognised and how the financial aspect of it works…

Thanks

Yes, I did one a few years ago and it was far and away better than the in person russell group undergrad course I did a decade before that 😁I
found the tutors excellent, the study material very useful, and the system supportive and flexible.

OU is very well thought of because the fact that you’re proactive enough to study alongside work or caring commitments etc says something very positive about you to employers and to other academic institutions if you’re thinking of a PhD. In fact, the OU is in a PhD funding group with Oxford and Cambridge - not something that would be the case if it wasn’t a respected institution.

What subject are you thinking of studying?

oh and in terms of finance, you can get a postgraduate student loan if you’ve not already done a masters-level degree - that’s what i did and it works exactly like an undergraduate student loan.

Thank you @KnitFastDieWarm I’m thinking of studying a psychology course/social work related. Not entirely 100% sure yet but I’m in the very early stages of considering doing a masters so just trying to weigh up the pros and cons and figure out my options.

What subject did you study and did you end up working in the field you studied for?

Thanks

It was along time ago but O studied for a Masters in Education while I was working full time. It was easily manageable, inspiring and motivating and as the OU T-shirt used to say, it literally changed my life.

Just finished my masters this summer. I found it a really good way to study as you could plan ahead if you knew you were going to have a work deadline so you didn’t fall behind. There were regular tutorials but they were mostly on evenings and were also recorded so you could watch them when it was convenient. Hope that helps.

sorry to jump on this chain to ask a question rather than give advice but @Rocknrollstar may I ask how you found the content of this degree? I’m looking at doing the MA Education with the inclusive specialism. I’m used to the OU teaching methods as I did my undergrad in psychology with them but I have extensive SEND experience and want to actually learn something so keen to know your experience of the content - did you find it engaging and useful? Thanks in advance!

I did my first degree with OU and I was really impressed with it, had a great experience. There was a masters I wanted to do, but couldn't get student finance (already had a masters) so I just bought the module books. I was quite horrified at how basic they were, compared to my red brick postgrad textbooks they were at a very low level.

My father did a history masters with OU and said the tutors were fantastic. Meanwhile I did a remote masters with a Scottish university and it was hopeless, complete lack of support for remote learners.