The Open University - Milton Keynes

Cari S.

I have found this entire degree incredibly stressful, but more so in my final year. I was told in the summer holidays before the module began to begin thinking about what I would like to study for my final project. Just before the module started, I was then asked to choose the method I would be using (Qualitative, survey or experimental). I chose qualititative because I had a good idea of what I would like to study. I had no idea that my choices of qualitative methods would be restricted to two choices of method I have never used before (phenomenological or discourse analysis) until the module began. These were taught in the textbook of my final year, but during the summer when I was asked to think about what I would like to investigate, this was not communicated. Therefore, my plan to study what I originally wanted was completely foiled and had I known then what I know now, I would have chosen another method. I am unable to change this now. Even if I hadn't decided what I wanted to study when the module began, what researcher chooses a method before choosing what they want to investigate?

I am very unmotivated this year. I had hoped that I would be completing a dissertation like those who attend university physically. Apparently this is not the case for my psychology degree. This is unfortunately, not a great showcase of my skills and I fear has set me up for failure. I cannot wait to be finished with it. I would not recommend the open university to anyone.

Anna F.

Degrees are delivered in the wrong order. For language degrees, don't be surprised if you receive a grammar guide in your second year, even though grammar is the absolute first thing you must learn as an adult learning a new language. Not only that but once you get to year 2, the language module will be in your chosen foreign language only, and you will not receive any physical resources for it because "OU is a distance learning university", yet have given you printed materials for every module prior. They will tell you to print the online resources out, yet charge you brick and mortar tuition fees every year. What am I paying for exactly? The module prior does not prepare you for the jump in levels from years 1 to 2 whatsoever, so good luck absorbing business-level content in a different language from your screen! God forbid you disclose you have a disability too; they'll talk to you like you're 4 years old. Tone-deaf "support" who seem to think that after such a headache you'll want to come back to the OU, so they're incredibly gracious to retain 25% of your tuition fee for you when you (never) return. Seriously consider doing a degree where it is free to do so, and you actually receive physical resources. It is not worth the decades of debt, albeit not like a normal debt, to get absolutely nothing in return from all departments.

Mrs K.

There are huge positives to OU and some less than positive.

The positives are that distance learning is well organized into module content that I've found engaging and easy to navigate.

There are great tutorials to attend. Accessibility is good as some tutorials are recorded so you can catch up at a more convenient time.
Module materials such as videos have
accompanying transcripts which is really useful to revisit content without having to trawl through videos.

The downsides are that I'm on the cusp of scores that put me into a higher category. However, I haven't found tutor feedback useful in the sense that addressing their feedback has not improved my scores. Furthermore, in following advice provided in tutorials, my end of module assessment was the lowest I've ever scored. OU processes mean there are strict criteria in which to appeal a grade.

Depending on how your module is assessed, your improvement can be limited as you don't always get feedback on a final module assessment, just a score. Therefore, I think more could be done in terms of preparing students for end of module assessments that are aiming for more than meeting the pass criteria. My experience this year has been disappointing, however my experiences prior to this academic year were much more positive.

To add to my frustration, there seems to be some mixups and misunderstanding about credit transfer. The credit transfer and qualifications team are not contactable by phone and I can only speak to student support who have not really been that helpful.

I've decided to concentrate on completing my qualification as I've come too far to stop now and will likely complete postgraduate study elsewhere.

Ali H.

I’ve worked and studied with The OU and believe it is brilliant in both aspects. The working culture is brilliant (it’s open, friendly and colleagues are treated with respect - with good career prospects) and study experience is excellent - the study content, access to your tutor/support and flexibility provided. Highly recommend.

Megan

I have loved my time at the Open University. Tutors are supportive and friendly, the materials are fantastic, and the textbooks are included! There is very little face to face tuition - including via zoom or video calls, but if this doesn't bother you then this is the perfect place to get a degree whilst working!

SF S.

It beggars belief that this university hasn’t lost its accreditation yet. Since transitioning to online assessments—a unilateral decision made solely by the university to cut costs—it has lost all its credibility. In some modules, exams are conducted online without cameras, meaning the university has no way of knowing who is actually taking the exam or if there are multiple people collaborating. Even in modules that require cameras, they have no means to verify that the person behind the screen is indeed the enrolled student. The university is receiving scathing reports from external examiners, who recommend a return to in-person exams. You’d think they would reconsider their position, but no, they continue to experiment with students without their consent. Next year, they are attempting online invigilation. So we are paying high fees only to be subjects of a study. If you want to carry out tests, go and pay students to be your guinea pigs. Do yourself a favour and find a different university. Once you’re in, if you want to leave, you won’t be able to transfer your Level 1 modules to any other university.

Traveller

I enjoyed my time at the OU. Very good university to study, but you need to stay focussed and motivate yourself!

Michael R.

Open University course are expertly written and from an academic perspective, standards are high compared with traditional Universities in the United Kingdom. Fees are compatible with other Universities. Some courses are free and students receive plenty of support. Overall, I have been very impressed with the depth and range of courses available - accessible online 24/7. This includes Degrees, Postgraduate courses; plus a wide range of Diplomas in fields such as Social Work, Psychology, Criminology, Law and Nursing. Most courses are affordable and help with course fees is available via the Student Loans Company which is government funded. Loans are subject to repayment once income exceeds about £23,500 a year. Highly recommended.