@ Ox: Funnily enough I looked at the OU before I started this course and decided the lack of hands-on practical work would be a problem.
Last week, my department at Birkbeck gave a day long introductory session to a group of around 15 people, some of whom had been studying with the OU for years (certainly longer than I’ve been studying Geology). I was there helping to demonstrate the microscopes and some of the OU students hadn’t got a clue, which kinda proves my original theory.
I have also heard that the OU are cutting back on their Earth Sciences department, meaning an end to field trips and difficulties with course literature.
I’m happy at Birkbeck, and want to continue there, so I’m trying to make it work.