MSE News: Open University pulls plug on Tesco-funded degrees

verloren

This is not untypical for the OU - I was a student with their short-lived US arm, which put prices up massively (50% from memory, could have been more) for existing students after a year or so.

Rothko_2

C'mon guys, Brown and co have bankrupted the uk. I work in the public sector and we're facing massive cuts. The open uni is prob in same boat. If it's 1 for 4 points they must be taking a massive hit

Stryder

Une Horreur!

Yes I am taking the French degree, and what a disaster. for 3 years I have been shopping TESCO just for this purpose.

One thing I think would help (A little) would be:
1) Ask tesco to send out May's Clubcard Vouchers early for those wanting OU vouchers (or an option to get the OU Vouchers immediately)
2) Ask OU to ensure all courses starting up to Feb. 2011 will available for registration in May, and not delay any so that we can not apply the vouchers.

I hope this decision is overturned, but if not at least one more year would be a massive help.

I will write when I can work out who to address the letters too. Please, if your in the same situation, please act!

Stryder

PS

I would understand if they did this to new users, but we have spent our vouchers EXPECTING a situation. We invested vouchers AND money for these courses and we should be allowed to continue with at least 1 or 2 full years warning! Tt would have been fairer to make this rule apply to new sign ups only.

One option may be for those relying on the vouchers is to use an unregistered card, and then trade it with a 1st year student who was otherwise going to pay for an equal sum of money. A hassle and not without potential problems, but desperate times ....

spora

I think that this is something that should be phased out slowly so that new students can no longer use the clubcard vouchers, but existing students can until they have finished the degree they are currently studying for. There is little point in offering an incentive to start a level 1 course if people are unable to continue on to level 2 and 3, so the budget they allow for this clubcard deal will be better spent on assisting current students.

Some may say its not fair on future students, but at least if they did it this way any new students would be aware that this is the situation. Whereas a lot of current students are in a sort of limbo as they did not know that this was going to happen and are now stuck with half a degree.

That said, Tesco and the OU didn't HAVE offer this scheme at all, so maybe we should just be greatful that we have been able to get some courses on the cheap(er) side!

Stryder

rewardstokens@open.ac.uk
This is for feedback to the change in policy. PEOPLE UNITE, feedback until their computers bleed and go home early with a head ache.
Otherwise, another contact is: Jo Stetzel, Marketing Affinity Manager, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA Tel: +44 (0) 1908 274066

Does anyone know a good contact at Tesco to moan at? I would like tesco to guarantee OU vouchers in May and think this is something we all need to push for!

POWER TO THE PEOPLE! :-s

Stryder

spora wrote: »

I think that this is something that should be phased out slowly so that new students can no longer use the clubcard vouchers, but existing students can until they have finished the degree they are currently studying for. There is little point in offering an incentive to start a level 1 course if people are unable to continue on to level 2 and 3, so the budget they allow for this clubcard deal will be better spent on assisting current students.

To be honest, the OU run "short courses" which are mini modules introducing people to the OU and the subjects. they are about £110-£150 and if they really wanted just to introduce people, this would have made sense. however, they got people on the courses with the expectation to continue. it is a little discourteous to say the least to pull the rug with less than 4 months warning!

Dinah93

ARGH nightmare! We have been saving for my hubby2b's degree with these, we have enough to cover his courses next year already, but how on earth are we to pay for the third and fourth year is a bit beyond me atm. So annoyed at the OU right now!

Stryder

Sorry - do not mean to bore any of you

Just did a search for the chief executive of teso, Sir Terry Leahy.
I thought I would go straight to the top.
Anyway, although these issues are usually not even looked at by the ceo's, they do get passed down to the right team to deal with. CEO's like to have there letters dealt with by someone else, to show they care. this is probably a better option than trying to climb UP the murkiness of customer services whose job is to 1) keep you "happy", and 2) keep their bosses from dealing with complaints, not to deal with your issues

atypical

Say you have £250 of Tesco points, worth £1000 towards OU courses. If you redeem these does Tesco only give £250 to the OU? Or do they give more?