Opinions on open university?

celyn90

I really enjoy studying with them. I studied previously at brick universities, but signed up to study education with them for fun. I can easily see myself being the perpetual student, I am already trying to decide what to do next year Torn between maths and Law at the moment.

I am studying round work, which is a challenge, but if you find yourself getting stuck/behind, do talk to your tutor. I have had a fair few extensions on essays and they have always been really nice about it.

...and I've sort of ended up working for them now too :rotfl:

The general ethos is so much nicer than the brick uni I was working in before and I am very happy here. But it is slightly scary being filmed teaching! :eek: I do find it a much nicer environment as it feels so much more student focused than my other academic jobs have been.

I remember being fascinated by the programs when I was a child, so I do consider it a privilege to work with them. It is what I thought university would be like before I went to University.

Best of luck with your course!

There is an OU student thread on the student moneysaving board - do come and join us, some of the people on that thread are real study veterans so are a mine of information (and essay support!)

pigpen

I hated it.. just to be awkward

I couldn't find time or motivation or space or focus to do the necessary work. The content was easy enough but the actual time needed was not possible to fit in around the children and housey stuff. There was also the big problem of not being able to get to tutorials as they were in another town and it would have meant an hours train journey each way and I had no idea where I was meant to be going. The place to hand in assignments didn't exist according to the post office and there was no one of any use at the OU to assist.. it was a bit of a farce if I am honest.

I had previously done distance learning for many years, initially starting about 17 years ago and not had a problem at all. I last looked into OU 4/5 years ago when my daughter started school and I had no children left at home during the day and it was still impossible.

My uncle on the other hand has done 3 degrees with them and never had a single problem.

emsywoo123

pigpen wrote: »

I hated it.. just to be awkward

I couldn't find time or motivation or space or focus to do the necessary work. The content was easy enough but the actual time needed was not possible to fit in around the children and housey stuff. There was also the big problem of not being able to get to tutorials as they were in another town and it would have meant an hours train journey each way and I had no idea where I was meant to be going. The place to hand in assignments didn't exist according to the post office and there was no one of any use at the OU to assist.. it was a bit of a farce if I am honest.

I had previously done distance learning for many years, initially starting about 17 years ago and not had a problem at all. I last looked into OU 4/5 years ago when my daughter started school and I had no children left at home during the day and it was still impossible.

My uncle on the other hand has done 3 degrees with them and never had a single problem.

God lord PP how long ago did you have to "post" work in?! All online now, far easier.

Tutorials (day schools) are not compulsory (at least not on my modules so far, I can't talk for every module they offer )

I'm a company director, and single mum to 2 children and am studying full time, and I can do it. That said, I could not if I didn't REALLY want to, that much I know!

TheEffect

I'm at a brick university (got 1 year left in September) and wish I worked and did the OU.

Go for it!

neverdespairgirl

penguin83 wrote: »

I am due to graduate from my law degree (LLB) in October fingers crossed. I cannot recommend them enough as due to finances I just couldn't have done my degree any other way. I work full time and have 3 children. When I started my degree 4 years ago I had two children and was working full time and now have an 8 week old so I am currently doing my last year whilst on maternity leave with a newborn.

All credit to you there - I did my LLB and LLM at a "normal" university (UCL, in London) and found it hard enough work doing just those, not working and having children as well!

Hezzawithkids

I've been studying with the OU for a BA Hons degree for the last 5 years and have just one module to go to complete. I've always worked full time so have fitted in my studies around that and my family, but as I don't exactly have a busy social life plus there being nothing but total cr*p on TV theses days, finding the time has never been an issue.

I started off approaching it as a means to an end career-wise but now it's just for my own satisfaction. I left school in the 1970's after O-levels and going to uni was just never an option for me (working class background, youngest of a large family). There have been times when I've been writing assignments into the wee hours and wondered why I was putting myself through it, but in the main its been fine, even fun! When I feel like quitting I just remind myself of why I'm doing it AND how much I've paid in fees. Very MSE not wanting to waste the dosh!

I go to tutorials and day schools as much as I can because I want the face to face interaction with my tutor and other students and I get lots of ideas from them. I'm convinced that I wouldn't get nearly such high marks for my assignments if it wasn't for the tutorials, in fact. In the early days when I was doing Level 1 & 2 the locations were reasonably local so no problem. With the last L2 & L3's I did it involved an 80-mile round trip but, since I always find the effort and time 100% worthwhile, again, it's not an issue.

My last module is a compulsory one looks a bit dry but I'm fired up with the thought that by next summer I will have my degree! I'm already thinking about what I want to do next, possibly a MA, but only if I can take a year off working full time as I would want to give it as much of my energy as I can.

There's a forum on Linked In that discusses how OU degrees are viewed by potential employers compared to bricks-and-mortar ones, and the consensus is 'very favourably' because most people complete their OU studies around full time employment and employers appreciate the dedication, focus and work ethics required to do so.

Good luck OP whatever you decide to do.

pigpen

emsywoo123 wrote: »

God lord PP how long ago did you have to "post" work in?! All online now, far easier.

It was actually 4 years ago I last looked into it.. I've been waaaay too busy since.

maman

Hezzawithkids wrote: »

I've been studying with the OU for a BA Hons degree for the last 5 years and have just one module to go to complete. I've always worked full time so have fitted in my studies around that and my family, but as I don't exactly have a busy social life plus there being nothing but total cr*p on TV theses days, finding the time has never been an issue.

I don't remember OP's personal circumstances other than that she needed to fit around work.

If you are in a relationship, it's essential that you have a supportive partner. There's nothing like OU for finding cracks in a relationship and magnifying them. First, some partners feel ignored because you're giving up time to work and sulk. Others feel inferior and defensive so they are very critical and belittle your efforts.

I speak from experience.:D

picklekin

Not to put you off, it might help give you the edge over other applicants, but I was a learning support assistant and no qualifications were required at all for the job.

skylight

maman wrote: »

I don't remember OP's personal circumstances other than that she needed to fit around work.

If you are in a relationship, it's essential that you have a supportive partner. There's nothing like OU for finding cracks in a relationship and magnifying them. First, some partners feel ignored because you're giving up time to work and sulk. Others feel inferior and defensive so they are very critical and belittle your efforts.

I speak from experience.:D

And I can totally second that!
(Although I think you meant give up time to study, not sulk!)