Open University

[tkdsteve08]

Hi All

Anyone done any courses with the Open University if so what are your thoughts?

I am thinking of doing a degree in psychology

[Pooh]

tkdsteve08 said:

Hi All

Anyone done any courses with the Open University if so what are your thoughts?

I am thinking of doing a degree in psychology

I have just completed a planetary science degree and would recommend the OU.
The standard of the tutors, books etc was mostly very high and the summer schools were great.
It is a lot of hard work, you have to be very dedicated and due to the scoring system it is harder to get good results than at a conventional university but I am still glad I did it.

[Snoggledog]

My missus is currently doing a (modular) degree course through the OU. It's a bit like school in that some lecturers are very good and some piss poor. Generally the course material appears good and well thought out. There's a lot of reading though and a lot to take in over a short period of time. The assessments start fairly quickly so you have to be on top of things early on. Probably the worst part of the experience is their forum which is (apparently) due for a complete overhaul. One thing worth noting though is their assessments. Read the questions very very very very very carefully. Some are designed to catch you out.

All in all, I'd say if you have the time then it's worth it. If you can't spare a minimum of 1-2 hours a day to keep on top of the material then think carefully before signing on the dotted line.

[Four Cofffee]

Did my first degree with the OU. A long slog but the materials are excellent and the summer schools fabulous as long as you don't want to stay married.

[percymk4]

tkdsteve08 said:

Hi All

Anyone done any courses with the Open University if so what are your thoughts?

I am thinking of doing a degree in psychology

Hi,

funnily enough i started the psychology openings course a few months ago, hoping to work towards a degree. The course materials and tutors are of a great standard, and the openings course is a good way of seeing whether its right for you.
I have never done any psychology before but im finding it fascinating now

[tkdsteve08]

Great to hear some good feedback how long did you guys study daily.

I will be holding down a full time job aswell, I hope that's not going to cause any problems

[RB Will]

I'm currently doing a Microbiology course with them. The course materials (nice big colourful book and a dvd with videos and loads of interactive microscope slides) are brilliant, way better than stuff I had at college. I spend about 5-10 hours a week on it. At that rate I will need to apply for the later of the two asssesment dates.
I presume with a degree you have to put in a lot more time.

[bazking69]

Do a search on here. There was a good thread on the OP a few months ago with lots of good feedback.

[soad]

bazking69 said:

Do a search on here. There was a good thread on the OP a few months ago with lots of good feedback.

This one?
http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Another (less replies):
http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Jasandjules]

My OH is doing one.

They seem far more organised than any University I or my friends have ever studied at. They also have good services, open access to lecturers etc.

[Ahhh Moneypenny]

tkdsteve08 said:

Hi All

Anyone done any courses with the Open University if so what are your thoughts?

I am thinking of doing a degree in psychology

I work for them in Social Sciences (area Psychology) PM me if you want further info.

[t84]

How much is a course, roughly?

[Cock Womble]

t84 said:

How much is a course, roughly?

And do you need a beard and a tank-top?

[t84]

Huh?

[FraserLFA]

What's the difference between a Uni degree and an OU degree? Surely a degree is a degree? Or is there a difference

[tkdsteve08]

thanks moneypenny will do when i'm free

[DXB]

t84 said:

How much is a course, roughly?

Depends on the level and the module. Post grad is obviously a lot more expensive than undergrad.

Undergrad modules will depend on how many 'points' they are worth and also the subject. Most are worth either 30 or 60 points. For computing courses, 30 pointers are about £400 and you need 360 points for an honours degree.

When I did my undergrad degree with the OU a couple of years ago (which I did 'full-time' according to their definition), it cost me about £3,500 in total.

It's worth looking at OpenLearn if you are interested because you can browse through some of the course materials for free online: http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/

[t84]

Is it a 'proper' degree, the same you get from a brick uni?

[Bill Carr]

It's taught to the same standard and "worth" the same as a degree from any other uni.

Some might argue that putting yourself through a part-time (e.g. OU) degree whilst (presumably) still working is a more weighty achievement than just attending lectures between piss-ups and scraping a Desmond at a regular uni...

(n.b. - I went to a "regular" uni before anyone starts!)

[FraserLFA]

Bill Carr said:

It's taught to the same standard and "worth" the same as a degree from any other uni.

Some might argue that putting yourself through a part-time (e.g. OU) degree whilst (presumably) still working is a more weighty achievement than just attending lectures between piss-ups and scraping a Desmond at a regular uni...

(n.b. - I went to a "regular" uni before anyone starts!)

I go to "regular" uni but hate it and am seriously considering doing an OU course and working at the same time. It seems pretty tempting