Is it worth studying with the Open University? How is their reputation?

lollipopsarah

Of course it is (sorry for the pun) as long as you are prepared to work your socks of for 4 (?) years.
I don't know how to post links - but if you look up "So proud" you might find my sons story.
As I understand it most employers respect OU graduates more because they know the hardships they have been through.
xx

Voyager2002

BillJones wrote: »

Well, to take a divergent view to the others...

In terms of academic rigour, I don't think that it stands alongside the traditional universities in most subjects. What it does do, though, is show that a person values education, and is able to self-motivate very well.

A very strange view... While the OU, like any other university, does have the odd module that does not reach the standard expected, the final-year courses are probably MORE rigorous than those offered by most traditional universities.

A couple of complicating factors:
1. Most OU degree paths involve a number of different subjects, so the standard reached in any one of them is unlikely to equal that of a degree in that subject only;
2. Students with little or no academic background may begin OU degree courses, so the 'academic rigour' at this stage is less than would be found in most traditional universities.

Voyager2002

kingslayer wrote: »

Hi guys, I've posted on here recently about my lack of idea for a career/direction in life. I have been looking around trying to decide if anything really catches my fancy, but nothing 100% has. However, i was looking on the Open University website and came across a couple course that intrigue me.

The thing is, the more i ask around, the more people say that it's best to get a degree that will lead you straight into the workplace, not just a generic degree that every other graduate has studied and are two a penny. Also, is the Open University's reputation a good one or not? What i mean by this is, are they thought to be on a lower level than a traditional brick and mortar university?

I still want to pursue the directing/acting side, but I don't know if it's a good idea to go the drama/film school route or just to purchase or rent the equipment and go out there independently and go for it. I just feel i need some kind of plan B and C in case things don't go to plan, that's where the degree would come in.

Anyway, I have also been looking at free 6 week courses via distance learning and I've taken an interest in a few of those courses too.

Here is the distance learning site:

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/upcoming

What are your thoughts?

Kingslayer, after reading your other thread I really doubt whether the OU is right for you. Studying with the OU requires MORE commitment and self-discipline than does a traditional university degree, and if you are thinking of it as a second-best option then that will not keep you going.

However, do by all means take one of the 'taster' courses, and perhaps even follow that by doing an OU module: that will enable you to explore new things and find out how you get on with study.

Annisele

I think BillJones is right. I've got quite a lot of experience of being a student (with traditional Russell group universities, the OU, some distance learning providers, and a couple of professional bodies that offered their own courses), and from an academic rigour perspective I'd put the OU in the middle of my own experiences - but quite a way below the traditional universities.

I felt the OU course I did had a lot of spoonfeeding, and the tutors had very low expectations of their students. One tutor in particular couldn't understand that I was doing the course because I was interested in the subject - she seemed astonished every single time she discovered that I knew something that wasn't in the course materials.

However, the OU graduates I've come across at work have, without exception, been pretty impressive. I'm not convinced the OU courses are that great (compared with a traditional university), but there seems to be a very high correlation between "people who complete OU degrees" and "highly motivated people that I'd very much like to have in my team".

I think that if you want to work in some specific fields, particularly in research, then the OU might not be the best way to go - but even for those fields it might be a good starting place. For other areas, an OU degree is just fine.

But for the OP - I don't think an OU degree is a good idea as a plan B. It's a *lot* of work, and if you're just doing it in case your primary goals don't work out then I don't fancy your chances of actually completing it.

whodathunkit

kingslayer wrote: »

Wow, that's fantastic. I was looking through there courses and noticed that they are limited, but they still have a lot of choice. Something else i noticed is for many of the degrees, you can study full time for 3 years instead of part time. As I have no dependants/responsibilities, would you say it's more ideal for someone like me to study full time with the OU? Obviously, i would like to work as well, but i think i would prefer to gain my degree in a shorter space of time as opposed to the 5-6 years it would take by studying part time.

Although you can complete an OU degree in a 3 years, that doesn't count as full time as the OU only offers part time courses. This means that no maintenance funding is offered. It would also be a very difficult for someone starting from a low educational level as you are.

I agree with the other poster that the OU may not be the appropriate route for you, although the taster courses may help you to clarify your plans.

dimestorediamond

Annisele wrote: »

I think BillJones is right. I've got quite a lot of experience of being a student (with traditional Russell group universities, the OU, some distance learning providers, and a couple of professional bodies that offered their own courses), and from an academic rigour perspective I'd put the OU in the middle of my own experiences - but quite a way below the traditional universities.

I felt the OU course I did had a lot of spoonfeeding, and the tutors had very low expectations of their students. One tutor in particular couldn't understand that I was doing the course because I was interested in the subject - she seemed astonished every single time she discovered that I knew something that wasn't in the course materials.

However, the OU graduates I've come across at work have, without exception, been pretty impressive. I'm not convinced the OU courses are that great (compared with a traditional university), but there seems to be a very high correlation between "people who complete OU degrees" and "highly motivated people that I'd very much like to have in my team".

I think that if you want to work in some specific fields, particularly in research, then the OU might not be the best way to go - but even for those fields it might be a good starting place. For other areas, an OU degree is just fine.

But for the OP - I don't think an OU degree is a good idea as a plan B. It's a *lot* of work, and if you're just doing it in case your primary goals don't work out then I don't fancy your chances of actually completing it.

Thanks for this Annisele, I know it wasn't aimed at me, but I am glad to read it.

I worry a bit about the respect OU courses are given - but my dad gave the same sort of response you did (he owns a reasonably large business). It's definitely not to be sneered at (for want of a better expression) when it comes to dedication.

I, like a lot of people doing OU, juggle work with my education. It takes immense motivation and hard work.

I'm doing English Literature, so I am sure my course is one of the "better ones" to do on a distance basis.

debrag

bll78 wrote: »

I studied in a different area, but I can't recommend the OU highly enough. I studied for BSc (hons) Health and Social Care, from the time I started to when I finished my wages increased by £10,000 a year. Later I did my MBA through them too which saw my wages go up by another £20,000 a year when I finished, so they must be respected. I do know that their MBA is one of the highest rated in the UK. For me they also had the benefit that they accept anyone, so I didn't have to waste time doing an access or A-level course first, like I would have at another Uni which saved me a few years.
I found prospective employers were impressed that I self funded my study and did it in my own time whilst working full-time. Which has also helped me show in interviews that I have the drive to do the job I applied for.

I'm studying that, what sort of position are you in? I'm currently a support worker for adults with autism but want to improve my career & wage.

BillJones

Voyager2002 wrote: »

A very strange view... While the OU, like any other university, does have the odd module that does not reach the standard expected, the final-year courses are probably MORE rigorous than those offered by most traditional universities.

I don't agree. My degrees are from Oxford and Imperial, and comparing physics degrees from the OU, the questions and teaching was simply not going over things in similar detail.

What leads you to believe that OU is above Oxford, for example, in this respect?

emsywoo123

mummyroysof3 wrote: »

Been hard work but I'm glad I've done it. Dse141 was my fav and I got a distinction.

Ah I am waiting for my EMA result for DSE141 - I loved it too, I am "in the running" for a distinction, but dependant on EMA!

emsywoo123

Annisele wrote: »

I felt the OU course I did had a lot of spoonfeeding, .

The one course? Sweeping judgement.