OU new fees £5,000 full time study ! ?

pearl123

Hi everyone, this press release has just been released by the Open University. I'm in a bit of a panic. Am I correct in thinking that a 60 point course is now going to cost £2.500 or am I having a stupid moment ? :eek: I feel shocked beyond belief at the moment.

The Open University has annouced new fees of £5,000.

The Open University (OU) has today announced its fees for new students in England as £5,000 per full-time equivalent study (120 credits) from 1st September 2012. The amount that students pay each year will be determined by the number of credits they are studying. For a typical student studying 60 credits in a year, the fee will be £2,500 per year.
The Vice-Chancellor of The Open University, Martin Bean, said: “As the higher education landscape continues to evolve rapidly, The Open University is today renewing its commitment to delivering high-quality, flexible and great value for money education for all. 747,965* students in England choose to study part-time – I believe this will only increase as more students choose to work while they study.”
For the first time, Government loans will be available for part-time students in England which, for many, means that they will have nothing to pay up front. Additionally, The Open University will be minimising financial barriers to study through its unique flexible payment options and financial support packages.
Most current OU students in England will be able to complete their qualifications at a price and pace consistent with their expectations when they started their course, under transitional fee arrangements.
Martin Bean continued: “Our students have rated us in the top three universities for satisfaction in the National Student Survey for the past five years and we are in a strong position to serve this and future generations of students who value the flexibility, quality and employability that an Open University education brings. We are confident that our new strategy will ensure that this great national institution will continue to stimulate economic growth and extend social mobility."
The OU is a world leader in flexible learning and has developed the unique “supported open learning” model. Students can fit studies around their other commitments, and the OU supports them through a tutor network of over 7,000 Associate Lecturers, online forums, study facilities and through contact with their peers via tutorials, online conferencing, social networks, study groups and events. It is through this proven model of education, together with The OU’s scale, reach and expertise that the University is able to continue to offer excellent value. The OU will retain its open access policy and continues to welcome all students, with a particular commitment to supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Unlike any other University, The OU successfully operates across all four nations of the UK and the higher education landscape is becoming increasingly different in each. The announcement today relates to students in England only. Based on recent indications, The OU expects fees in Scotland to be similar to those published for 2011/12. In Wales, the cost incurred by OU students is likely to be lower than in England as a result of additional support from the Welsh Government. In Northern Ireland, there is yet to be a decision on future fees.
* Student enrolments (head count) in England 2009/10, HESA
Editor's Notes
1. Fees have changed as a result of government changes to university funding.
2. Current students are able to check their eligibility for transitional funding via our Fees website: www.open.ac.uk/fees2012.
3. More than 70% of OU students work full or part-time during their studies.

PaulW1965

Frankly I think they are mad!

pearl123

I'm just reading threw the red link - I provided above, which I hadn't noticed in my panic. It explains the fees for 2012.

PaulW1965

This might help you.

The Open University has announced tuition fees of £5,000 per year for the equivalent of a full-time place for students in England from next year.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-14216167

pearl123

There are an awful lot of at home hobby OU degree takers.
It appears that if you are at present a OU student then you'll need to study one course every year. One thing I loved about OU was the ability to stop and pick up later on.

mmmsnow

Wow, and I thought the OU was expensive before!

pearl123

I'm really surprised this has not generate more heat !
OU facebook is alive with people shocked by the OU fee increases.
The future costs for those that start Open University in 2012 will be a huge jump from present day fees.
Existing Open university students will have to do one course every year to qualify for existing lower fees up to 2017. To me this is so frustrating as taking a break was one of the great things about OU.
I believe alot of people who would have given OU a go - will decided from 2013 to give it a miss as they will need a loan as the fees will be so high.
I believe it's a bad day for the Open University and OU students. Unless of course your about to finish your degree.

Oldernotwiser

pearl123 wrote: »

There are an awful lot of at home hobby OU degree takers.
.

Is this really a good use of public funds?

Gemmzie

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Is this really a good use of public funds?

I agree.

I don't really have a problem with the new system - most people won't be expected to have the £5k upfront and more loans/grants will be available for living costs etc through the new system.
I thought this was inevitable, and can't understand why there's so much surprise!

Oldernotwiser

Gemmzie wrote: »

I agree.

I don't really have a problem with the new system - most people won't be expected to have the £5k upfront and more loans/grants will be available for living costs etc through the new system.
I thought this was inevitable, and can't understand why there's so much surprise!

I agree. The introduction of loans for part time study has been common knowledge for a while and it was obvious that part time fees everywhere would rise in line with full time.

GothicStirling

£9000 at a brick and mortar or £5000 at the OU, the OU is still a bargain. I'm taking a second degree in Classics starting in October, I didn't even blink. It was obvious they would raise the fees, lest they get left behind.

Next up, postgraduate fees.