Any value in an Open degree?
Discussion
Currently studying with the Open University, and after a load of nonsense with the course I am doing (admin staff have an unbelievable level of incompetence and have wasted my time) I've ended up either having to do another three years of study or just switching to an Open degree which I can complete in a year by transferring my modules.
My only fear is that an Open degree is about as useful as a toilet roll, or does it hold some value on a job application?
Cheers!
My only fear is that an Open degree is about as useful as a toilet roll, or does it hold some value on a job application?
Cheers!
Fellow OU student here studying a BA hons in Leadership and Management.
I'm caught in the transitional study fiasco, where I have to finish my degree by December 2017, or end up with an open degree.
I think an open uni degree proves you can do a degree, but also whilst juggling a family life and full time employment (in my situation at least), so if your situation is similar, it is an achievement irrespective of degree title.
As a hiring manager, I'd be asking what your studied. If you can give a decent answer that isn't just a load of random unconnected items, I'd be fine about the degree title. If it was 'I did physics, English lit, German and art modules, I'd be questioning your focus. Unless, you were applying to be a German speaking physics and literature teacher....!
I'm caught in the transitional study fiasco, where I have to finish my degree by December 2017, or end up with an open degree.
I think an open uni degree proves you can do a degree, but also whilst juggling a family life and full time employment (in my situation at least), so if your situation is similar, it is an achievement irrespective of degree title.
As a hiring manager, I'd be asking what your studied. If you can give a decent answer that isn't just a load of random unconnected items, I'd be fine about the degree title. If it was 'I did physics, English lit, German and art modules, I'd be questioning your focus. Unless, you were applying to be a German speaking physics and literature teacher....!
I did an Open (honours) degree.
I set off with the intention of doing a named degree (Computing & IT) but then realised I didn't really want to be pigeonholed into IT.
Having swapped a few courses around to do more maths based study I came out without a named degree, which suited me fine.
In terms of CV writing I just list it as a BSc (Hons) from the OU and put a note under it to say it's maths/IT based, which seems to work better for me, in my line of work, than having a named degree even though 75% of the courses I did were the specified ones for the named degree.
If you think about what the benefits are to having a names degree there aren't really that many, in my opinion.
I would definitely be careful of putting completely random subjects together though, as mentioned above.
I set off with the intention of doing a named degree (Computing & IT) but then realised I didn't really want to be pigeonholed into IT.
Having swapped a few courses around to do more maths based study I came out without a named degree, which suited me fine.
In terms of CV writing I just list it as a BSc (Hons) from the OU and put a note under it to say it's maths/IT based, which seems to work better for me, in my line of work, than having a named degree even though 75% of the courses I did were the specified ones for the named degree.
If you think about what the benefits are to having a names degree there aren't really that many, in my opinion.
I would definitely be careful of putting completely random subjects together though, as mentioned above.
Vaud said:
As an employer I rate the OU for quality alongside the Russell Group.
For someone to work full/part time and do a degree - they go up in my expectations. In fact I'd rather hire someone with life experience and a degree than a 21 year old with just the degree.
Agree. I think it says a lot about a person.For someone to work full/part time and do a degree - they go up in my expectations. In fact I'd rather hire someone with life experience and a degree than a 21 year old with just the degree.
Thinksome people are talking a little at cross purposes....
It seems like Open Degree = A degree from the Open University where you have gained the requisite number of credits in qualifying modules to be awarded a degree, but in modules that do not conform to a recognised course structure as such.
So different from a named degree from the OU in a recognised subject.
From what I've heard, and as others have said, employers look very favourably on people who have completed Open University Degrees. One can imagine however why they might, perhaps in ignorance, look less favourably on an 'Open Degree', in the same way that many University admissions departments look less favourably on 'General Studies' A levels.
It seems like Open Degree = A degree from the Open University where you have gained the requisite number of credits in qualifying modules to be awarded a degree, but in modules that do not conform to a recognised course structure as such.
So different from a named degree from the OU in a recognised subject.
From what I've heard, and as others have said, employers look very favourably on people who have completed Open University Degrees. One can imagine however why they might, perhaps in ignorance, look less favourably on an 'Open Degree', in the same way that many University admissions departments look less favourably on 'General Studies' A levels.
Edited by Magog on Tuesday 16th September 19:26
Eric Mc said:
To be honest, I didn't realise that Open University degrees were referred to as "Open Degrees" either.
Not all of them are. An open degree just means that it is not in a particular named subject. You can obtain a BA or a BSc by choosing from arts or science modules, but you can largely customise it to your own requirements. A named degree such as a BSc Mathematics will have particular modules that you have to complete in order to qualify.I worked with a Manufacturing Engineer, who had come up the "time served apprentice" way, and found at 45 that his career had stalled due to the lack of a degree, although he was probably a better engineer and manager than the rest of us with them.
His daughter started a Full Time Degree, at some university, and he bet her he could get a degree in the same time by studying part time. He basically studied all the management modules, and ended up getting an Open University Degree 2 weeks before his daughter. I was impressed.
His daughter started a Full Time Degree, at some university, and he bet her he could get a degree in the same time by studying part time. He basically studied all the management modules, and ended up getting an Open University Degree 2 weeks before his daughter. I was impressed.
I like the sound of this a more general degree although I presume the majority is going to be along the same lines just because you will enjoy certain subjects.
My degree was pretty similar business but I could pick more law modules than say finance or marketing. Why not be able to throw in a psychology module.
I'm sure employers will value it.
My degree was pretty similar business but I could pick more law modules than say finance or marketing. Why not be able to throw in a psychology module.
I'm sure employers will value it.
I have an open degree from the OU, I concentrated mostly on the Planetary sciences but I tended to go for subjects that particularly interested me. I liked the flexibility and choice that an open degree gave me.
From a career point of view, my 25 years of experience is more important than my degree but I have never had any negativity about my open degree.
From a career point of view, my 25 years of experience is more important than my degree but I have never had any negativity about my open degree.
If you can describe it well, as PorkInsider does, then it might well be a positive advantage. That of course assumes the person assessing your application has their brain engaged and isn't just trying to tick boxes. If the modules you've taken are challenging and relevant, it'd look good to me.
I graduated with an 'Open' degree in 2003. I was interested in cyber crime/protection and no actual course existed so I 'made' one from modules from both criminology and IT.
I have worked in both IT (city of London) and the legal business and employers have been interested in the degree and why I did what I did. It hasn't harmed my prospects in any way - though if the roles I was after more specialised it might then start to limit things. Its a 2:1 so I dont know if its that as well which sets it apart from a 'Desmond', but the short answer is its not ever presented any issue for me.
I have worked in both IT (city of London) and the legal business and employers have been interested in the degree and why I did what I did. It hasn't harmed my prospects in any way - though if the roles I was after more specialised it might then start to limit things. Its a 2:1 so I dont know if its that as well which sets it apart from a 'Desmond', but the short answer is its not ever presented any issue for me.
Eric Mc said:
So an "Open Degree" can be obtained from any university - it's not something specifically linked to the Open University?
As far as I know these are only through the Open University, as these are essentially accumulating credits which amount to a degree. You can still do other degrees elsewhere with options, but these options are limited or specialisms within the field (i.e. I did Chemistry and specialised in organic chemistry- others did analytical, physical etc).I have suggested an 'open' MSc at my place where you could get an MSc in environmental studies (for example), which was a general title but then the modules within would be different. Very hard to administer and run though. The OU's structure and systems makes it easier for them.
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