Open University - OU (reviews)

I would encourage anyone thinking about university to visit The Open University website, the engagement from start to finish is excellent. The ease with which you are able to navigate the site is fantastic.

The Open University is the perfect solution for whoever is working or taking care of small children. The online facilities are easy to use, there is an online library, programs to have lessons, study with other students or give part of the exams online. The support from the community of students, professors and career advisors is great. The Open University is welcomed everywhere when looking to start a new work or project. The price is also competitive as it cost less than many other universities also is not necessary to budget for the travels and meals as to have face to face lessons is just an option. Is always handy to send an email or post in the dedicated forums in case of any doubts. All sounds great but I will say that differently from other universities it takes a lot of determination to archive the goals. I finished my degree while working full time in three years, so it’s possible but it takes a lot of determination and a lot of independent studies. On the other hand, it will give with time more self-confidence. The only downside I will say that is the choice of professors. While some are brilliant others are less present, not answering emails or not happy to be contacted. Overall I will say that in the case someone needs to work or take care of someone this is a good choice as it economises the time spent in travels or taking courses.

I would recommend the OU for anyone who has always wanted to study but never thought they would be able to. There is so much support available from tutors and students you never feel alone even though it is distance learning. I couldn’t recommend highly enough!

I love learning through the Open University. It is very convenient for me to study in spare time and really develop my career. I enjoy majority of learning is through reading and online materials as I am quick and find classroom learning difficult if I am further ahead than others.

I studied Social Science with the OU over the course of 5 years during which time I lived in 3 different countries. My materials arrived at home and I had all the resources I needed including a very supportive tutor and classmates. There are handy chat rooms to discuss any issues you have and the course material is amazing in depth, I learned analytical skills that I use in daily life and this course changed the way I see the world around me – I will certainly take another course again in the future.

I’ve found open university extremely helpful as I explore different potential career avenues while studying online. By allowing me to study remotely, it’s opened up a world of opportunity that a campus simply couldn’t offer. Open Univerisity has offered great support and flexibility, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for an alternative from a conventional university.

Before I started at the Open University I considered taking an Access Course or studying for A levels. It was many years since I had left school and I went to a Secondary Modern School where no 0′ levels were taken. I passed some CSE’s. I decided to join the Open University because I liked the different subjects that I could study under A100 – a lot of which I hadn’t studied before, English and History being my favourite subjects. After studying A100 I found that I loved Art History as well and took some further courses on that subject. The first year was quite hard – we had a residential week away and I was very pregnant at the time!
After the first year I took various courses, English Literature Novels which was the course which led me to start with the Open University. I did Art History and History Courses. For my final year I did family history which I really enjoyed and which led to me taking an Advanced Diploma in Local History with Cambridge University and that led on to my taking a Masters Degree in the same subject, also at Cambridge University.

It was quite hard studying with a full time job and two young children, with which my husband helped enormously. It was quite a struggle financially but it was all worthwhile. At the start of my study I was a typist and at the end I was able to become an adjudicator with my company which was a big step up in profession. It was good to meet other students but it would have been nice to be able to become more involved with that side of things. The hardest thing about studying with the Open University was that every TMA counts and you never get to do a practice essay!

I have enjoyed doing my studies with the open university as I have been able to continue my job whilst also studying for a Business Management degree to help further my career. I have found the tutors to be helpful when any extra support is needed. I would recommend the open university to anyone wanting to return to studying.