Is distance learning degree accepted by employers?

ohyespleasethankyou

Just make sure it is a very reputable one. It is easy today to simply 'buy' a degree and this is the only thing I can think of that would make an employer look a bit more closely at your qualification. I'm doing an OU degree and have been told it is seen as a sign of being committed and self-sufficient to do a degree this way rather than by getting one for simply turning up for a few hours a week at red-brick poly in some dull provincial town for three years ;-)

Idiophreak

Really isn't a yes/no answer to this one.

It all depends on the employer. Some places explicitly state they want oxbridge people, others say they want "top 5" and so on...These kind of employers just won't see OU candidates favourably.

It's not 100% down to the teaching etc, nor the value of the degree, I think it's more that they prefer people who've got their degree through "normal" channels. People who're highly driven/motivated in the field will have gone straight to uni from school and it's that kind of people they're looking for, especially in their junior roles.

The same thing's true with mature students, generally...90% of the time it'll be a great help and will be recognised for the achievement it is, the other 10% of the time, people won't view it the same as a "normal" degree. Just the way things are.

cazziebo

Idiophreak wrote: »

Really isn't a yes/no answer to this one.

It all depends on the employer. Some places explicitly state they want oxbridge people, others say they want "top 5" and so on...These kind of employers just won't see OU candidates favourably. OU IS top five - in many categories!!

It's not 100% down to the teaching etc, nor the value of the degree, I think it's more that they prefer people who've got their degree through "normal" channels. People who're highly driven/motivated in the field will have gone straight to uni from school and it's that kind of people they're looking for, especially in their junior roles.Not in my experience - as a candidate, OU graduate and employer. I also have two degrees from trad, prestigious Universities. It's the OU one that impresses - exactly because of the "drive and motivation" required to achieve it

The same thing's true with mature students, generally...90% of the time it'll be a great help and will be recognised for the achievement it is, the other 10% of the time, people won't view it the same as a "normal" degree. Just the way things are.

Give me a straight arts or science degree from online or elsewhere any time, way before you come to me with a degree in Consumer Studies, Communication or whatever

Incisor

Geralds wrote: »

I have many queries before i decide if to get my degree online. How do employers view distance learning degrees? Can I get a job with it?

Which organisation are you thinking of going with?

The Open University has a great reputation. But there are other operations out there which are just scams. There is very little middle ground on this, I suspect.

Incisor

Idiophreak wrote: »

Really isn't a yes/no answer to this one.

It all depends on the employer. Some places explicitly state they want oxbridge people, others say they want "top 5" and so on...These kind of employers just won't see OU candidates favourably.

Hmm. So the employer is buying the place someone went to, rather than the person and their skills, personality and attributes? Yes, there are employers like that, but most are not so blinkered. And if they really are after some arbitrary 'top 5', then they will rule out many people from top rate institutions who are better than many of the people they do take on.