The Open University
Value For Money
The Open University
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User Reviews
Value For Money
Poor Support.
The course content was good. Got the job done, anyway.
I studied through the YASS (Young applicants in schools) program and one of the main benefits pedaled to us was that even though it's distance, you have a dedicated tutor/support team etc.
This is only partly true. I had a tutor and a support team but I tried to contact both on several occassions and failed A TMA because I was locked out of the course content - and my tutor wouldn't respond to me.
The ePortfolio (I assume) is designed to be helpful but it is really just a box ticking exercise. It's useless, time consuming and takes away from any actual learning on the course.
Value For Money
Worst Distance Education University Ever
Poor service. Bad instructor, especially the instructor for W820 Exploring Legal Meaning. The instructor was not knowledgeable but thought that she was a genius. Her lectures were boring and only audio not videotaped. I found the whole experience terrible and I complained to her and what happened was that she ended up flunking my EMA although I had been getting good grades in all three TMA. In any event, this is probably the best that could have happened because this institution is about 150% more expensive than any other similar distance education university. I have graduated from both the University of London and the University of Liverpool with law-related degrees at the postgraduate level and I can assure you this Open University is at the bottom of the pile.
Value For Money
Awful
Do you want to do a degree where you can get immersed in your subject? Too bad! At the Open University you can look forward to modules where you have to jump through pointless hoops and do assignments that you assumed you had left behind you when you were twelve. I am twenty seven, have a degree and a PGCE and wanted to do another degree to support my career and I have had to do things like "give examples of how you were organised" and "write a leaflet aimed at other students on why they should take this module". It is an actual joke! (And I am studying science. I think my least favourite so far was "find a picture that shows both genetics and aging". Super patronisisng.
The courses cost a fortune and the tutors are useless - they just point you in the direction of whatever random course material wasn't helping you in the first place. You also have to do mandatory library sessions. If you already know how to use a library, well buckle in for the next hour because you are going to be learning it again.
The website is dire. Look forward to trying to work out which tab within a tab within a forum post is the one you need because it will make up roughly 10% of your study time. And there is enforced forum posting, which influences your grades.
I could not dislike this university more.
Value For Money
An Educational Money Making Machine.
The OU does not encourage you to read outside of their module books and independent thought is discouraged.
More importantly the average degrees they hand out are 2:2's and 3rd's. Look at the other reviews on this site to confirm this.
Lecturers mark inconsistently, study outside of course books is frowned upon, hardly a Professor in sight..with not that many Dr's of disciplines either. Academic support is whimsical. Disability support is one fit for all. Complaining is a waste of time and if you are a minority student expect to receive lower marks for Level 2 and Level 3 modules - Their own 2014 Equality and Diversity report states as much.
The only important thing for the Open university - MONEY. Their other failing is their pathological inability to accept that many students are unhappy with their experience with the OU. They will insist until kingdom come that it is great studying with them. If it was why are their reviews so low, not just on this site but on other sites?
I agree with you, it is still going on and it is now 2018. The OU is definitely just out for making the money they do not care about the students. They are absolutely disgusting. I really do not understand how they get away with treating people like this. More people should put a comment on the OU review page.
Yes but to get fewer students with lower seconds and thirds then either the number failing goes up or the number of higher honours awarded goes up which in turn will change the 'value' of the honours if more people are getting best degrees or failing.
There need to be better statistics published by the OU of what honours are awarded and why the course was undertaken (career prospects, hobby etc.) and the age of the recipient. But trying to find anything on the website is a nightmare in itself. :(
I don't see why ethnic students would be awarded more lower class honours as I don't see how support would differ between ethnic group, maybe due to region which could have a higher percentage of ethnic groups. As I know the support I get in region 9, the North, is lacking compared to the South and regions containing cities as they have more tutorials (f2f ones too) and day schools whereas region 9 has next to nothing and is lumped with the international students.
there used to be a advisor who saw you through the whole qualification not just SST groups they have now and I think they should bring that back.
As for the marking system, it's not bizarre. Most brick universities only class small percentage of the modules as coursework (my brick uni its was only 10-15% on modules so an 80% coursework score doesn't have that much affect on overall grade). Also with it being distance learning your tutor isn't as heavily involved with you so might not recognise someone else's work passed off as your own and there have been cases where exams have been reintroduced to some modules due to TMA questions appearing on websites offering answers and help. You are only as strong as your weakest link. But they should reword the blooming assessment strategy and stop referring to it as 50:50 which makes people think it's the average as that crops up year after year and on every module I've done people question it. (Although wouldn't have minded the average myself when I was a couple marks off distinction in one exam and TMAs were in the 90s).
As ever I agree with considering all options as there are more part time and distance learning facilities out there these days and it all depends on the student's life and circumstances, what they want to ultimately do with the degree and what subjects and unis will best further that.
I agree that disability support is about non existent. I thought it was just me, but have seen on these forums a number of others saying they experienced lack of support. It seems to be a policy on paper that is not applied in practice.
My current tutor tutors a number of courses and also works for the OU. Has no real academic qualifications for the subject. I have never encountered a professor as a tutor with the OU, and these days no Dr's either.
I wish I had read your review before signing up with this so-called university. The tutors and senior faculty staff advise you not to bother using the process to review your marks as it will basically be ignored.
Staff are increasingly using OU tutoring as one of a number of income streams and do not put in the effort you would expect in their work.
They also censor any critical comments on their social media without saying they are doing it.
Prepare To Be Frustrated... For Several Years Solid
I've attended bricks and mortar too. And I thought at first the OU was better as the material is much more thorough, for science anyway, (in the old book modules).
However, the OU are now changing to online modules... and they are a NIGHTMARE!!!!!!
Prepare to cope with the likes of 'interactive laboratories' which DO NOT WORK most of the time, and which have 3 DIFFERENT SETS OF INSTRUCTIONS ALL WRITTEN BY DIFFERENT PEOPLE, NONE OF WHICH HELP in some cases, and for which the 'topic specialists' employed to HELP you through online forums DO NOT REPLY TO YOUR QUERIES FOR DAYS... when YOU have a TIME LIMIT APPLIED TO YOU!
From personal experience of doing the book and online modules side by side, the new online modules take 3x more hours, and most of that is NOT SPENT LEARNING, BUT FIGHTING WITH AN ARCHAIC, USER-UNFRIENDLY, BADLY DESIGNED SYSTEM!
You will literally be tearing your hair out with stress. The tutors completely relate; which means THEY ARE FULLY AWARE HOW HORRIFIC THIS SYSTEM IS! But of course, there is nothing they can do...
I think their systems are actually getting worst as well. Online tutorials are ridiculous with no-one knowing what they are doing and entirely repeating course materials.
I'm not sure there is nothing the tutors can do about it, I agree they do generally sympathise and some go beyond in their condemnaiton of OU management. Covering their backs takes priority over our educational experience generally. Given what we as students have to contend with, I guess maybe it's understandable. What could they do?
In courses where materials are provided they are massively out of date (referring to tapes for example). For new courses they don't even bother to provide materials in order to keep a few more pounds to themselves.
I agree with you Jimmyq85 - I wish I had never wasted time with this university - It has been a totally miserable experience !
Value For Money
Enrolled To 2 Courses, Boring And Expensive
they shipped quick(to my UK address)one was business the other starting with psychology
the book was thin like my small finger, thats all you get for hundred of pounds
psychology was OK for me but NOTHING SPECIAL GIVING NO CREDIT I COULD HAVE READ THIS IN A LIBRARY
IM SICK AND TIRED OF FALSE ONLINE SCHOOLS SELLING LIBRARY-KNOCK-OFF MATERIALS
the business course was boring and not giving me any ideas how to become a business person running my own...
THESE COURSES GET U NO JOB, AND DODGY C.V ONLY
if you want to study go for a BA online
short courses are useless, all these things can be bought on amazon for 20 pounds
Value For Money
Good Communication And Support
I telephoned to discuss my course requirement before booking. Customer service is brilliant - really good advice. I was also given some tips re; financing the course which i didn't expect.
Easily accessible information - study groups, tutor support, online chat and of course an email contact which other online training establishments do not necessarily provide!
Really pleased with this learning provider. However, I think that the fees are a little high considering it's home study. I'm sure they could chop the costs down considerably. Reading material is good though.
Unsupportive And Stressful!
I have health problems that made me transfer to open university from a uni had been physically attending and thought working from home would be better. Except they have not been supportive. At first I thought they were great but now they only care about the money. I have only recently started and my student loan has been delayed so they are saying they will de register me. How just how can they do that?? It's been difficult for me to pursue studies because of on going health problems and I can't take any more set backs and I don't want to give up. I'm on the verge of tears just praying they would e sympathetic and just get in touch with student finance about the situation. Just don't know what to do
I'm really sorry to hear about your experiences with this dreadful organisation.
I found there approach and arrogance actually increases stress and makes it worst. it is like dealing with a bad bank, mobile phone or train company, though worst actually as at least they do tend to offer some remedy when their service is terrible. I don't know if is just shambolic disorganisation or plain malice but they really should not be allowed to continue in their current manner.
They do not meet their duty of care obligations in any way shape or form and actually silently censor any criticisms made on their facebook page.
I totally agree with your review.. the OU experience has been awful for me and I have health issues too. I wish that I had never studied with them. What upsets me more, is that they insist they do support students with issues. They simply do not.
Value For Money
The Open University Is Only In It For Profit - Full Stop.
I have to agree with other reviews I have read - make no mistake people the OU is a business and they are only interested in taking your money. I was ill during my course and given poor advice by my tutor who clearly did not know the regulations. The faculty staff are not interested in student satisfaction or heaven help us, customer service. Simply in ducking responsibility. This is not the same university I studied with in the 90's and I will never spend any of my hard-earned money on them again. The student casework office are not there to help you, simply to stop you from getting through to someone who actually gives a damn - if such a person exists. Think again and look elsewhere!
Value For Money
I Enjoyed Studying With The Ou To Begin With And S
I enjoyed studying with the OU to begin with and sucessfully completed a module in computing. I then went on to take a module in retail management and was given half the amount of time to complete assignments as I had with the previous module. I passed on the TMAs even though it was a stuggle but failed the EMA failed due to starting a new job and having to travel for it. The OU doesn't give extensions for EMAs so if you fail this you have spent your time and money on nothing.
On the plus side I found the course materials in both modules interesting and well thought out and the questions asked in assignments really effective on drawing on what had been learnt. However, I felt that a lot of the time I was just teaching myself which effectively you are.
I am no longer wishing to complete a qualification with the OU as I think that you have to have a tremendous amount of self discipline in order to teach yourself and complete assignments in the short amount of time they give you withhout the motivation of attending regular classes and do this for many years.
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