Talk to me about the Open University

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Talk to me about the Open University

18 posts & 12 voices | Started 1 year ago by Duffer | Latest reply from Duffer

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Duffer - Member

I'm fancying an OU course. Has anyone had much experience with this?

Which course(s) did you do? What did you think of the process? Were you impressed with the course materials/tutor support etc?

I've already got a carrer, so i'm not taking a course to seek employment (at least not in the short term) so i'll most likely be looking for a course in something i'm interested in. However, in the long term, i may well need to fall back on a qualification to get me employed some day - with this in mind, what courses would people recommend?

Posted 1 year ago #
geoffj - Member

I'm halfway through an MBA with them and it's ok.
Keep on top of the reading and attend the tutorials and it's pretty straight forward.
With that in mind, try and make sure that the tutorials for your course are nearby. Mine are in London and I live in Scotland. There are online tutorials though as well.
Good luck.

Posted 1 year ago #
landy813 - Member

Been doing science with them now for 5 years, work permitting. I found that the OU under estimate how much time you need to commit to studying I must do at least 20 hours a week min and that was for both 30 and 60 point courses. It is a massive time waster, but I have enjoyed most of the courses I have done, the only one I hated was S279 Our Dynamic Planet.
Take a look here examples of course questions and this link is to loads of course material so you can see for yourself what the study books are like too.

Posted 1 year ago #
mrmo - Member

did an MA a few years ago, wasn't too bad time wise. Currently doing another 30 point course and time is a real issue. ie i am glad i was unemployed in January!!

Posted 1 year ago #
ScottChegg - Member

My wife did an English degree.

The course materials were fine, the 'support' from the tutor was variable, occasionally minimal/non-existent. No real feedback on her work, just a mark and a copy of an essay. So much so she complained to the OU that support was lacking, and she's still waiting for a reply 3 years later.

Others were really good; so just like life, really.

Posted 1 year ago #
MoreCashThanDash - Member

I did a part time Business degree at Nottingham Trent - took four years, was hard work working full time and started a family in year 2, but not that challenging intellectually.

My top tip would be that if it is not for a specific career decision, choose something that you are really interested in to keep your motivation going.

Other tip is to check if your grades depend on group work - can be tricky relying on other people with busy lives to help you get your grades!

Posted 1 year ago #
Duffer - Member

Thanks for the input, chaps!

I'd like to do history, but realistically, the only history i'm interested in is military history. So i'd suggest the history course would be wasted on me, for the most part.

I'd also like to do a science course, probably Physics related. I'm concerned that Physics would be a bit heavyweight for me, but we'll see.

How much flexibility is built into the system, with regards to time? If i went away on a course with work for a couple of weeks, for example, will i be able to put my studies on hold temporarily?

Posted 1 year ago #
trailmonkey - Member

I'm currently doing a history degree and am studying Total War and Social Change 1914-55. That's about all there is with regard to military history.
If you keep on top of the reading, it's no problem. Takes one day at the weekend then 2-4 evenings after work during the week.

Just do it.

Posted 1 year ago #
emma82 - Member

I'm in the middle of a Business Studies degree at the moment. Never had any real problems but have been lucky with tutors, usually supportive and quick to respond although there are moments when I could dish out a slap but it very much depends on the individual. However, the information you get from the OU is good i.e. course work materials, website etc, but you need to remember that you are studying part time for a degree and that comes with a lot of work. As others have said, keep on top of the reading and you'll be fine. This coming from someone who is now 3 weeks behind having been on holiday

Posted 1 year ago #
rob2 - Member

I did maths and economics.

Course materials are good.

Tutorials are really good if you can get to them.

But they can take a lot of time. I had to drop out for two years in succession as I couldnt do it and work and kids and house. Maths type stuff can be tricky as if you are stuck you can be really stuck!

But great for learning though.

Posted 1 year ago #
Duffer - Member

I'm currently doing a history degree and am studying Total War and Social Change 1914-55

That's the one that interests me. How about you just give me a quick summary, then they can sign me off!

Seriously though, i'm pretty much set on getting started later this year, but i'm really quite concerned about time constaints. I work full time, have a missus and 2 young kids, and i'm also a wannabe cyclist... Perhaps i'll have to reduce the amount of time i spend idly staring at internet cycling forums!

Thanks for the input guys! Keep 'em comming!

Posted 1 year ago #
mrmo - Member

check the rules, but if it is your first course you can cancel and get a refund if it proves too much, as long as you cancel within a certain period after the course starts.

Posted 1 year ago #
Taylorplayer - Member

I'd also like to do a science course, probably Physics related...

S207 is a good course without the maths being too heavy, though maybe not the ideal first course depending on your background.

Are you ready ? quiz HERE

Posted 1 year ago #
Duffer - Member

S207 is a good course without the maths being too heavy, though maybe not the ideal first course depending on your background.

I got good grades in science at school, however i've not really done anything science related since then - and the only maths i get involved in is adding two whole numbers together!

I suspect i'll probably start with S154, and see how i go from there.

Posted 1 year ago #
trailmonkey - Member

The above advice is good. Start with a level 1 course and see how that goes. You'll end up with 60 points at the end of it anyway so it will hardly do any harm.
I really enjoyed AA100 which is a mixed arts course and counts as an introduction to any of the named degrees within the arts faculty.
In fact I'd say that AA100 is probably the most enjoyable module so far as it's so varied and involves a whole range of different media. It's worth doing that module just for its own sake.

Posted 1 year ago #
turboferret - Member

I've nearly finished an engineering degree. Most of it has been pretty straight-forward, as it is covering old ground on my first degree which I didn't finish. However, had it been new to me, then attending tutorials probably would have been a real bonus, not very convenient for me as I work abroad most of the time! Have had some late submissions with assignments during crazy work periods, but assuming you have a good reason, my tutors have generally been pretty understanding.

Part way through my final project at the moment, then I'm all done - will be 7 years in total though

Cheers, Rich

Posted 1 year ago #
Jase - Member

Good advice about starting with S154, erspecially if you are concerned about time as you can defer the assessment for 3 months.

Posted 1 year ago #
Duffer - Member

Right, i'm pretty much set now on starting S154 later this year. Thanks for all the input, guys - very much appreciated.

One last question - what tires for an OU course?!

Posted 1 year ago #

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