open university degrees - are they held in as high regard as brick uni degrees?

fitnessguy1

i just wanted to know if open uni degrees are looked at in the same regard as a brick uni degree would be? if two people, one with a brick uni degree and another with an open uni degree applied to the same job, would the employer be more impressed with the brick uni degree?

i have been looking into studying with the open uni, but i am unsure because i have heard some people say their degrees wouldn't be looked upon by employers as that good.

there is also the duration issue, to which i believe that open uni degrees take double the time that a brick uni degree would take. i am already in my late 20's so i am a bit concerned about that.

what are your views on both types of degrees?

mikecc

It really depends on the employer.

Graduate schemes for prestigious firms often favour traditional degrees. Also, many hiring managers who are perhaps a little older (or more traditionally educated) will have a natural bias.

For many people, the reality is that a B+M degree is often better. The contact with tutors and lecturers, as well as the interactions between students, is something that does not come across as well online even if the subject matter is much the same. Much of what employers are looking for in a graduate is the ability to adapt (often moving away from home, unfamiliar environment), integrate (studying alongside and perhaps doing group work with diverse backgrounds) and develop.

Some employers just like to see that you can stick to something, and have the little characters next to your name.

It might be useful to share what your intended degree and career path is, and someone with more experience in that area could give you more accurate advice.

prowla

IMHO, an OU degree shows a tenacity and commitment over a period of years.

agrinnall

Not really worth rehashing a subject that's been done to death in a number of previous threads - here's a recent example.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4991896

Doshwaster

prowla wrote: »

IMHO, an OU degree shows a tenacity and commitment over a period of years.

Indeed. Anyone who has been able to hold down a full time job while studying for an OU degree clearly has shown some attributes beyond someone who has sailed through a 3 year degree without any workplace experience.

Voyager2002

Since you are in your late 20s you have already "missed the boat" so far as graduate schemes are concerned. If you are able to spend the next few (say five) years studying with the OU while holding down a worthwhile job then the combination of a degree and some solid work experience should really set you up well for the remainder of your working life. Alternatively, the OU modules offer the flexibility to study on a full-time or near full-time basis so that you can graduate in about the same amount of time as if you attended a traditional university.

Don't forget that if you want to study part-time while working, but also want face-to-face contact, Birkbeck (University of London) offers this option. Like the OU, it welcomes mature applicants with enthusiasm rather than traditional qualifications.

Owain_Moneysaver

Also it may be possible to do say 2 years equivalency of study with OU, and then credit transfer that and do 1 year at a conventional university to get a 3-year degree.

piglet25

In my experience - NHS = yes, Military = yes, Local Authorities = No.

DigForVictory

Much depends on the HR team, and/or employer. Almost anyone with an OU degree will recognise the extra grit it takes & appreciate it over a B&M degree.
However, there are folk who seem to think that part time modular is a euphemism for lesser. It's up to you if you can stand working with someone who thinks like that!
Best of luck - may you find employers who appreciate the extra grunt you've put in.

jrtfan

fitnessguy1 wrote: »

there is also the duration issue, to which i believe that open uni degrees take double the time that a brick uni degree would take. i am already in my late 20's so i am a bit concerned about that.

It depends on your own personal circumstances. The OU guidelines say that studying 60 credits takes up 16-18 hours each week, so if you wanted to study full-time for 120 credits in one year then you'd be looking at around double that time (plus a bit more, in my experience!). They advise anyone working full-time to limit their study to 60 credits each year, so that it keeps everything manageable and they'll achieve higher grades. That said, another student on my particular course has a full-time job and she opted to study her degree full-time, too - it just depends on the individual student, I think.

As an aside, the cost of studying with the OU is often cheaper now than going to a B&M Uni. Currently, 30 credits cost £1350 (60 cost £2700) so the cost of doing a 3-year degree would be £16,200 not including any increases.

Sian19

Typically it depends on the career and the level you are wanting to be at. For example, if I had gone to open university I would have done law with the aim of becoming a solicitor. If I graduated in LLB with the OU I would expect to probably work in a highstreet firm, possible a mid ranked firm if I worked my way up.

However, big city law companies in London usually will only employ those from prestige universities, in the top 20 or so. These jobs usually also require A levels (which many who go to OU don't have)