what do you think of OU qualifications?
Discussion
Do you think an Open University degreee is worth any less than one from a 'normal' university?
I thinking of starting some OU qualifications. Studying full-time just isn't an option due to needing money coming in to pay the bills.
What might potential employers think of an OU degree on a CV?
I thinking of starting some OU qualifications. Studying full-time just isn't an option due to needing money coming in to pay the bills.
What might potential employers think of an OU degree on a CV?
When I see an OU degree I actually have some admiration for the person who got it, to me is shows that they really wanted the qualification and were willing to give up their spare time towards getting it. It is no less in terms of the standard, but certainly more in terms of the dedication that goes into getting it. My degree involved having a hell of a good time for three years, an OU degree is hard graft.
It certainly hasn't done me any harm.
You meet some really amazing people on these courses and by comparison I'm really nothing special. I think I did ok juggling two kids, full time work, mortgage etc. but it's really humbling to meet people who are either single parents with kids, two jobs etc. or people with serious health problems, work, families etc. and still manage to get a 1st in less than 4 years.
A degree is tough going but each bring their own challenges. At a conventional uni you have a different set of problems to face. I can't say which is tougher but from the feedback that I've had, employers tend to have very positive things to say about OU grads.
You just need to understand that an OU degree isn't about having fun but about getting a qualification. Timewise you have to work hard so that people don't hate you because you have very little time for them. You need a supportive family that will understand but the bonus is that you won't have to live on beans and toast for 3 years
You meet some really amazing people on these courses and by comparison I'm really nothing special. I think I did ok juggling two kids, full time work, mortgage etc. but it's really humbling to meet people who are either single parents with kids, two jobs etc. or people with serious health problems, work, families etc. and still manage to get a 1st in less than 4 years.
A degree is tough going but each bring their own challenges. At a conventional uni you have a different set of problems to face. I can't say which is tougher but from the feedback that I've had, employers tend to have very positive things to say about OU grads.
You just need to understand that an OU degree isn't about having fun but about getting a qualification. Timewise you have to work hard so that people don't hate you because you have very little time for them. You need a supportive family that will understand but the bonus is that you won't have to live on beans and toast for 3 years
Ian1976 said:
Do you think an Open University degreee is worth any less than one from a 'normal' university?
I thinking of starting some OU qualifications. Studying full-time just isn't an option due to needing money coming in to pay the bills.
What might potential employers think of an OU degree on a CV?
Not just me thinking of doing this then.I thinking of starting some OU qualifications. Studying full-time just isn't an option due to needing money coming in to pay the bills.
What might potential employers think of an OU degree on a CV?
What are you thinking of studying?
I studied with the OU for my degree which took 4 years (bSc hons). At the other end when I attended career fairs etc ALL the employers were interested in was the piece of paper - not the university studied at.
At interview I did milk the fact that it was off my own back etc and needed some dedication - I don't know how much it helped - but I applied for two separate jobs (both unrelated to my course) and was successful in landing positions with both companies. Its certainly no barrier to employment (or wasnt then - 2005).
It enabled me to graduate with a total student debt of £1600. My sister who went the 'conventional' route left owing £8k when she left university which took many years to pay off....
At interview I did milk the fact that it was off my own back etc and needed some dedication - I don't know how much it helped - but I applied for two separate jobs (both unrelated to my course) and was successful in landing positions with both companies. Its certainly no barrier to employment (or wasnt then - 2005).
It enabled me to graduate with a total student debt of £1600. My sister who went the 'conventional' route left owing £8k when she left university which took many years to pay off....
Fatman2 said:
You just need to understand that an OU degree isn't about having fun but about getting a qualification.
I do hope that an OU degree is more than just about "getting a qualification"! I'd hope it gave the participant new skills, insights and behaviours with which to make an impact in their primary role?rog007 said:
Fatman2 said:
You just need to understand that an OU degree isn't about having fun but about getting a qualification.
I do hope that an OU degree is more than just about "getting a qualification"! I'd hope it gave the participant new skills, insights and behaviours with which to make an impact in their primary role?What I'm trying to say is that doing an OU degree doesn't involve getting lashed, partying, living in scummy digs with your mates, scratching about for food and generally having a ball for 3-4 years. It's doing the educational bit only. No booze, no pubs, late night kebabs or snogging the birds in halls (sounds great eh!).
The OU is ranked in the top 10% for it's teaching quality and what it offers students in terms of training. For my engineering course it came in higher than Cambridge for the period that I studied. More people do OU MBA's than anywhere else in the country and the research carried out in Walton Hall is some of the best in the world. The OU, as an institution, is one of the very best considering it is also the most different and has more undergrads than all of the UK universities put together. It is sucessful for good reason and in the past has been resource rich and able to plough this into student support etc.
The OU really is that good although I'd be lying if I said it was the most exciting way that I spent 7 years of my life. It was bloody tough going. I'm very glad I did it, it gave me a lot and also put me well ahead of any equivalent engineer that I came across but I went down that route for one reason only i.e. to get a degree.
v8will said:
Not just me thinking of doing this then.
What are you thinking of studying?
Something engineering based but I don't know exactly what at the moment. I'm still researching courses/levels.What are you thinking of studying?
It's almost twenty years since I left school so a lot has changed. Im looking forward to the challenge though.
I think the OU is the best way to go for me. If I were to take a 'career break' to study full-time I just know my willpower would fail and I'd end up partying and in a mountain of debt!
I'm taking a break from studying (cramming) for my exam tomorrow, so the OU is quite high in my mind at them moment.
As a student, the OU is great, you can choose education that suits you (if you do an "open" degree you can mix and match courses, so you could do half Mathematics and half journalism & psychology ... if you can pass the courses, that is). You can also choose named degrees as well, with a more structured module choice.
As an employer, anyone who chooses to spend their own time and money to improve their knowledge and skills usually has a bit of drive and ambition about them - even if the course they are doing is nothing to do with the role, per se, the individual is usually someone who is going to be of interest. I hired a programmer once who had started as a secretary, had put herself through a law degree "because it was interesting" but wanted to do something in IT; whilst she worked for me she took on more responsibility and was quickly promoted. We both moved on from that company, she is still in IT but is now very senior and successful in her current place of work - and still not doing anything to do with her law degree - largely because of that drive and ambition, I'd say.
If you are considering doing the OU, start in 2012, otherwise you will be hit by increased costs. If you study in 2012, and every year afterwards, you will keep the current low costs until 2017.
As a student, the OU is great, you can choose education that suits you (if you do an "open" degree you can mix and match courses, so you could do half Mathematics and half journalism & psychology ... if you can pass the courses, that is). You can also choose named degrees as well, with a more structured module choice.
As an employer, anyone who chooses to spend their own time and money to improve their knowledge and skills usually has a bit of drive and ambition about them - even if the course they are doing is nothing to do with the role, per se, the individual is usually someone who is going to be of interest. I hired a programmer once who had started as a secretary, had put herself through a law degree "because it was interesting" but wanted to do something in IT; whilst she worked for me she took on more responsibility and was quickly promoted. We both moved on from that company, she is still in IT but is now very senior and successful in her current place of work - and still not doing anything to do with her law degree - largely because of that drive and ambition, I'd say.
If you are considering doing the OU, start in 2012, otherwise you will be hit by increased costs. If you study in 2012, and every year afterwards, you will keep the current low costs until 2017.
tank slapper said:
In what way?
Just easier. I watched the maths lectures as a callow youth, and they made it to about the second hour of the Oxford course.I'm surprised that anyone would ask. Some universities' degrees are a higher level than others, and the OU is not one of the better ones.
Tell me, do you reckon that a law degree from Thames Valley is as good as one from Cambridge? Do you think that engineering at a imperial is the same anywhere else?
I don't know what lectures you watched, because the OU don't generally use lectures for their courses. If you mean the accompanying TV programmes, they are intended to complement course material, often to illustrate particular points or techniques. They certainly don't make up the entirity of a course, and are usually a very small part of the material. The style of learning and presentation is necessarily very different to a traditional university.
It certainly doesn't mean that it falls 'far far below' any other standard, and it is rather dismissive of you to say so.
It certainly doesn't mean that it falls 'far far below' any other standard, and it is rather dismissive of you to say so.
NorthernBoy said:
tank slapper said:
In what way?
Just easier. I watched the maths lectures as a callow youth, and they made it to about the second hour of the Oxford course.I'm surprised that anyone would ask. Some universities' degrees are a higher level than others, and the OU is not one of the better ones.
Tell me, do you reckon that a law degree from Thames Valley is as good as one from Cambridge? Do you think that engineering at a imperial is the same anywhere else?
Having known several people who have done OU courses, I have a great deal of respect for people who have committed a lot of time to learning at the same time as holding down a job. Unfortunately I have less regard for the content. You can tell that the OU background is in Arts subjects, and they just don't have the depth and structure for science and engineering subjects. In your case, I would look at the distance learning courses offered by other universities.
I've done a few courses now and have enjoyed them. I am working towards a business degree with a specialism.
If I am honest I am doing it just because I want to, just because I can. I pay for it out of my own pocket. I enjoy working through them. Only a couple of close colleagues know I am doing it.
I can't say that I am doing it with the intention of moving into a certain role or trade. Infact my plan for the near future involves making the break and starting my own business.
Level 1 is pretty bread and butter stuff (IMO anyway). A-level standard at best, and as I have an A-level in Business Studies it's largely stuff I have already studied (and forgotten) years ago.
Level 2 is a step up. Lots of reading of materials. More in-depth work. Still nothing too heavy if you have done A-levels.
I'm expecting Level 3 to be the level that I would associate with a degree.
The workload I have found easily manageable so far. Plenty of time between online assignments and an easy course pace that doesn't interfere with any of my other commitments.
I've found all the tutors thus far to be very competent, professional and approachable.
Tutorials usually bring together a varied group of people from all backgrounds and professions, most doing it for career progression or change. 2 of the 22 members of my last group were in prison and had access to everything with we did (except the tutor went to them obviously).
Don't expect the usual brick university lifestyle though. Tutorials are months apart and last a few hours. Online forums are slow. Yes you may make some friends that you email and bounce ideas/questions/concerns off of, but you won't get the stereotypical university experience. Personally, this suits me just fine.
I have spoken to tutors, employers and recruiters alike about OU degrees at length and the general consensus seems to be that if anything, they are regarded more highly than a 'normal' degree on the basis that most people undertake them out of their own pocket, studying as well as holding down a full time job. Time management and dedication are two very attractive traits to employers. Taking the time to manage yourself through years of study does display a level of discipline and strong character.
I'm fairly sure that even if I did come across an interviewer who was dismissive of or uneducated about an OU degree I'd be able to talk them around quite quickly.
My personal opinion is that many graduates are entering the job arena at 22/23 educated, but both unprepared and frankly lacking basic competencies like workplace etiquette, common sense and manners, lacking basic communication skills and an even more important attribute employers want, experience.
A OU degree shows that you have been in the workplace and put in the effort to get competent in areas you already have skills or experience in, or want to get into. The flexibility of an OU degree also offers the opportunity to take varied courses to learn specific things to put together your 'specific degree portfolio' in various areas and disciplines, rather than just a generic degree.
As with anything, I guess it depends what your degree is in as to it's worth. I'd also say that certain subjects probably aren't suitable for OU, like professional law, even though you can study aspects of law that may be of benefit to your job, ie employment or retail.
My godmother has 3 OU degrees now, and does them because she enjoys learning at her pace.
If I am honest I am doing it just because I want to, just because I can. I pay for it out of my own pocket. I enjoy working through them. Only a couple of close colleagues know I am doing it.
I can't say that I am doing it with the intention of moving into a certain role or trade. Infact my plan for the near future involves making the break and starting my own business.
Level 1 is pretty bread and butter stuff (IMO anyway). A-level standard at best, and as I have an A-level in Business Studies it's largely stuff I have already studied (and forgotten) years ago.
Level 2 is a step up. Lots of reading of materials. More in-depth work. Still nothing too heavy if you have done A-levels.
I'm expecting Level 3 to be the level that I would associate with a degree.
The workload I have found easily manageable so far. Plenty of time between online assignments and an easy course pace that doesn't interfere with any of my other commitments.
I've found all the tutors thus far to be very competent, professional and approachable.
Tutorials usually bring together a varied group of people from all backgrounds and professions, most doing it for career progression or change. 2 of the 22 members of my last group were in prison and had access to everything with we did (except the tutor went to them obviously).
Don't expect the usual brick university lifestyle though. Tutorials are months apart and last a few hours. Online forums are slow. Yes you may make some friends that you email and bounce ideas/questions/concerns off of, but you won't get the stereotypical university experience. Personally, this suits me just fine.
I have spoken to tutors, employers and recruiters alike about OU degrees at length and the general consensus seems to be that if anything, they are regarded more highly than a 'normal' degree on the basis that most people undertake them out of their own pocket, studying as well as holding down a full time job. Time management and dedication are two very attractive traits to employers. Taking the time to manage yourself through years of study does display a level of discipline and strong character.
I'm fairly sure that even if I did come across an interviewer who was dismissive of or uneducated about an OU degree I'd be able to talk them around quite quickly.
My personal opinion is that many graduates are entering the job arena at 22/23 educated, but both unprepared and frankly lacking basic competencies like workplace etiquette, common sense and manners, lacking basic communication skills and an even more important attribute employers want, experience.
A OU degree shows that you have been in the workplace and put in the effort to get competent in areas you already have skills or experience in, or want to get into. The flexibility of an OU degree also offers the opportunity to take varied courses to learn specific things to put together your 'specific degree portfolio' in various areas and disciplines, rather than just a generic degree.
As with anything, I guess it depends what your degree is in as to it's worth. I'd also say that certain subjects probably aren't suitable for OU, like professional law, even though you can study aspects of law that may be of benefit to your job, ie employment or retail.
My godmother has 3 OU degrees now, and does them because she enjoys learning at her pace.
Edited by bazking69 on Saturday 29th October 22:52
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