I am a 19 year old student. I am using this new account (not my mothers account) to forewarn students of the problems they will encounter if they choose to sign up with this online institution (Open Study College).
Any private candidate looking to study at Open Study College, I Strongly advise that you do not sign up. I wrote a review about this college and my experience with the institution, but as it was an honest review which painted their college in a negative light, the review was removed from trust pilot and was said to be 'suspicious'. It is evident that this college is exploiting students and their parents and for them to do this during Covid times, is rather concerning.
This is my review on the college (deleted by trust pilot)
If I am being completely honest, one star is far too high a rating for this supposedly 'supportive' institution.
The unprofessional-ism is profound and I could list many ways as to why this is the case, lack of support and communication are the two key factors. In October, I enrolled with open study college in hopes of achieving a grade Biology A-level in summer 2021. I had already decided to take a gap year to focus only on this A-level as my intention was to go to university in 2021 and study biomedical science. My concerns about this college initially stemmed from the poor tutor support I was provided. The tutors are given 24 hours to respond to your enquiries and 14 days to mark assignments. There were a number of occasions where this deadline was not met. Not 48 hours or 72 hours, but responses were given 1-2 weeks later, and that was when I phoned in to complain about such delays. Despite this obvious cause of concern, I remained enrolled due to the large amount money my parents spent on this course (over £1500-including exams, practicals and physical course material).
My distrust in the institution reignited due to many vague replies to my emails that I sent in regards to the summer 2021 exams, as they were cancelled, I relied heavily on this institution to support me in the assessment process. However, when I contacted them towards the end of March (29/03/2021), I encountered an unexpected response to my enquiry. Due to the vague responses I received in my previous emails about the 2021 summer exams, I phoned in, in hopes of receiving a more detailed and HELPFUL response. This was not the case. When talking to one of the employees (named Michelle) I was met with a rather blasé response to my concerns in regards to the exams in 2021. She advised that as I had not booked formally for the exams in 2021 through a form sent via email (an email I did not receive) or via call, I was not able to be assessed and receive a final grade for biology in summer 2021. I then responded and stated that 1. I did not receive this email and that 2. I had sent countless emails quite clearly indicating my desire to carry out the 2021 summer exams (including sending emails about sending my predicted for UCAS, asking about TMA deadlines and when they are due, asking about when the academic year would finish). She then went on to say that even if I did book, the deadline for all TMA's to be given in was the 31st of March 2021. Today, the deadline is today yet I am writing this review.
I expressed my frustration towards her given the fact that I was not aware of this deadline or given any updates about the 2021 exams by this institution and Due to the fact that I was holding a conditional offer to study biomedical science at university, the autumn 2021 exams and the summer 2022 exams she advised I could take would not be possible for me to do. To make matters worse, when i called the university about the likelihood of me taking the autumn exams, they stressed that they could not guarantee me a place to study there next year. After the unhelpful call, I proceeded to right a letter in regards to this situation that included evidence of emails I sent that indicated my intention to sit the summer 2021 exams, details on my conditional offer at university and expression of the lack of communication and lack of tutor support I received. Her response was yet again unhelpful and was similar if not the same as her response to me via phone call.
Due to the lack of support I have received from this institution, My parents spent over £1500, for no reason. Not only in regards to the exams, but also the practicals. I am left having to find an exam centre/school accepting private candidates in order to be assessed and receive a final grade in Biology A-level.
I strongly advise that you do not enrol in this institution. It would be a mistake. A mistake that I unfortunately made.
Do not be fooled by the rating.
Additional note: most reviews are seemingly excellent. However, these 'outstanding' reviews all seem to revolve around the enrolment process and how the people they spoke to during the enrolment process were 'helpful', an adjective used on numerous occasions in the 5 star ratings of the college. I question the authenticity of these reviews.