Open University

Becles

I've done half a degree with the OU.

If you get a decent tutor, it's ok and as long as you can motivate yourself to put the time in at home, you'll do ok.

I gave up when I was doing a programming module in C which I'd never used before. The tutor was only available late at night - after 10-11pm. I was struggling and needed tutor support.

At the time I was a single mother working part time, and doing all the usual household jobs and looking after my boys. By that time of night, I was in bed and too tired to discuss programming, so I lost interest in it.

Never got round to finishing the degree as I decided to go self employed so I've got no need for it now.

joemardo1

Hi there,

many years ago 88-91 I did 3 yars of study with the OU, but never completed the 6 credits necessary to get a degree for various reasons. I got totally fed up after 3 years with it, and probably had proved to myself that I could study at that level, but had better things to do with my life than a further 3 years of drudgery studying.

Lessons learned.

Never study anthing unless something you are really interested in, and that you will put into practice most days. If you study more or less just for the sake of studying and even if you like the course, but dont use the infomation gained on an ongoing basis, then really most things that you have learned will soon be forgotten.

Same applies to probalby 50% of courses like managerial courses or such like, where you will simply end up doing silly projects, and just a way to fleece your pocket or whoevers paying for it.

Joe

Julieboo

I studied with the OU whilst raising my 4 kids, completed it in 3years and then went on to do MSC with them .Yes it takes commitment and lots of self discipline, but it certainly opened the doors for me. It led me into teaching/working in the NHS/research/writing earning 3 times what I could earn prioir degree. I finally completed a PhD and set up my own business earning more than I could earn 8 years ago for a 40 hour week in just 2 days. Basically it led me to developing a life that enables me to do the work I enjoy for the money I 'need' to earn to have a happy life balance.
I'd say go for it but check out te reasons why-what do you want to do in the future and is it something you enjoy!!

jobbingmusician

I'm amazed that anyone in an HR dept would say that OU degrees aren't highly regarded - everywhere I have worked the attitude has been of respect for a candidate who has managed a highly regarded degree whilst working.

I have an OU degree, plus a Russell Group masters and a less prestigious MBA. They were all done whilst in full time employment, and I've often had favourable comments at interview at having studied whilst working.