Open University degree courses - worth the money?

tomtontom

poorlittlefish wrote: »

I'm interested in doing law and the only experience I've had is through work (leasehold/property law).

In that case you have many more options than OU and UoL - Manchester Met, Nottingham Trent and Northumbria amongst others. Perhaps you could choose one relatively close to home so you can use their library facilities, and pop in to see tutors if need be?

poorlittlefish

whodathunkit wrote: »

Do you have the entry requirements for a degree? The UofL requires this but the OU does not. Personally, I feel that London's academic standards are higher, possibly because of this.

Yes, I'm OK on that score. I did have a look at the CILEX route but I'd like to be able to say I'm the only person in my family to have got a degree! I'm not planning on making a career in law; it would be primarily to push myself and give me something to aim towards.

GothicStirling

whodathunkit wrote: »

Do you have the entry requirements for a degree? The UofL requires this but the OU does not. Personally, I feel that London's academic standards are higher, possibly because of this.

BS. The OU was established by Cambridge University, their materials were written by Cambridge academics. I would love to know how you're comparing the OUs academic standards against UoL, as they aren't polled for the University League tables. I also believe that the grading brackets are higher at the OU (85 rather than 80 for a 1st) than other universities.

OP, first make sure that the Law departments are accredited. Secondly, check out the Student Room website which gives profiles on both universities, and forums where you can talk with current students. There is also a Distance Learning sub-forum. Don't forget your entitled to SF as a part-time student.

I'm the only graduate in my family too.:o

tomtontom

GothicStirling wrote: »

BS. The OU was established by Cambridge University, their materials were written by Cambridge academics. I would love to know how you're comparing the OUs academic standards against UoL, as they aren't polled for the University League tables. I also believe that the grading brackets are higher at the OU (85 rather than 80 for a 1st) than other universities.

OP, first make sure that the Law departments are accredited. Secondly, check out the Student Room website which gives profiles on both universities, and forums where you can talk with current students. There is also a Distance Learning sub-forum. Don't forget your entitled to SF as a part-time student.

I'm the only graduate in my family too.:o

You do come across as a tad biased. I have no opinion as to which is better, but to clarify some of your points:

OU materials were written by Cambridge academics many years ago. They have not been for many years.

The marking scheme at OU is completely different from that at traditional universities - in that respect higher does not necessarily mean better.

Don't forget you're entitled to SF - bugbear of mine, how people pass a degree and still make such basic mistakes I do not know!

penguin83

I completed the LLB with the Open University in October just gone. The course materials were thorough and the tuition excellent. I am due to start my LLM and LPC together at the University of Law in September. I completed my degree with three young children and working full time and ended up with a 2:1.


I do not know how the two universities compare with each other but I can recommend the OU.


Good luck whatever you decide. x

GothicStirling

tomtontom wrote: »

You do come across as a tad biased. I have no opinion as to which is better, but to clarify some of your points:

OU materials were written by Cambridge academics many years ago. They have not been for many years.

The marking scheme at OU is completely different from that at traditional universities - in that respect higher does not necessarily mean better.

Don't forget you're entitled to SF - bugbear of mine, how people pass a degree and still make such basic mistakes I do not know!

There are issues surrounding UoL which are discussed over at Student Room, but that's for the OP to make their decision on. If I was going to show a bias, it would be to Leicester where I'm studying ancient history and archaeology by DL. I think they are brilliant.

I think the main problem with the OU is that they give you all the information, and there's little encouragement to get a SCONUL card and use your local university library. I'm lucky, I have two Russell Universities nearby.

jonnyd281

I've just finished a Masters with the OU, the material was, in my opinion good, along with the tutors, if you want to see what they are like you can get samples from the OU website.

Denning.

OU takes a far more diverse intake than any brick university, that is bound to have an impact on its reputation. A lot of the 'top' unis are only as good as they are reputation wise because they attract the most academic of students, there teaching is often below that of significantly lower rated unis.

A university can have a good reputation because of having leaders in their field. It doesn't follow that those leaders are any good at teaching, many aren't.

poorlittlefish

penguin83 wrote: »

I completed the LLB with the Open University in October just gone. The course materials were thorough and the tuition excellent. I am due to start my LLM and LPC together at the University of Law in September. I completed my degree with three young children and working full time and ended up with a 2:1.


I do not know how the two universities compare with each other but I can recommend the OU.


Good luck whatever you decide. x

That's very encouraging - thanks! Did the degree cost over £15k and are there optional as well as mandatory modules (I'm interested in employment, consumer and/or family law)? I've not been able to find the "pathways" on the OU site.

Denning.

poorlittlefish wrote: »

That's very encouraging - thanks! Did the degree cost over £15k and are there optional as well as mandatory modules (I'm interested in employment, consumer and/or family law)? I've not been able to find the "pathways" on the OU site.

There are no compulsory modules in theory. However for a qualifying law degree you need to take (and pass);
Constitutional and Administrative Law
The Law of Contract
Criminal Law
Equity and Trusts
EU Law
Land Law (Property Law)
Law of Torts
Equity & Trust

Around 3/4 of your modules will be compulsory, the rest you can choose.