Open University

TSR Wiki > University > Choosing a University > University Guides > Open University

A lot of people seem to be slightly confused by what the Open University does or how it works. Hopefully this page will dispel some of the existing myths about the OU.

What is it?

The Open University is the only university in the UK dedicated to distance learning. Although it has an administrative building, there are no lecture theatres, seminar rooms or halls of residence. Instead, all students studying via the OU get to study their degree from home - being sent relevant materials via the post or by email and completing and returning the essays and assessments by the same method. The OU offers a very wide range of internet resources to help its students get support for the work they are doing, and offering assistance to those struggling to cope with the course they are studying for whatever reason. Most students will also be allocated a contact within the teaching network to liaise with during their studies.

Who's it for?

Broadly speaking, the Open University is for anyone old enough to study at a university. Whilst the OU is a popular route for older people looking to add qualifications to their resume, or wanting to gain a degree that they may not have been eligible/capable of undertaking when they were young.

However, that is not to say that young people don't study via the OU. Many students struggle to integrate with university life when they are away from home and/or living in halls; some are restricted in their options due to physical disabilities; others are faced with financial challenges that means going off to university isn't plausible. What the OU does is to provide all of these people a way to get a degree while giving them the opportunity to study it on their own terms.

For those students that didn't enjoy living away from home, the OU allows them to stay in an environment they are comfortable with. Those with physical disabilities are able to study without their disability getting in the way because the resources come to them. Those with financial difficulties may also benefit from studying from home as they won't have to pay accommodation charges, but the OU's flexibility also enables students an easier means of studying for their degree part time alongside a job.

It's also for those young people who may not have wanted to go off to university in the first place. This doesn't just cover people who didn't want to go because they didn't want to get into any debt, but applies to people who didn't even consider getting a degree or didn't think that studying was for them. The flexibility of the OU again caters for a whole group of people whose life plan doesn't involve going off to university.

How does it work?

The OU works on a modular basis, with modules worth various different 'points', just like modules at solid universities. 120 points is equivalent to one year of full-time study and is the maximum rate at which an OU student may study (however short summer schools are allowed in addition to this). Courses come at different levels which can loosly be equated to the 3 years many students spend at a brick uni.

The OU provides a very flexible system and it is possible to choose a named degree. Many, many choices are available and students may choose a broad degree title e.g.: A BA in Humanities or a BA in Social Sciences, alternatively it can be made much more specific e.g. a BA in Social Sciences with Social Policy. Students may also choose one of the ready made more specific degrees such as Politics, Philosophy and Economics. Finally the OU offer 'Open' degrees which allow a much broader range of courses to be chosen and the degree awarded is an OU Open degree.

Students who leave a partially completed degree may be able to use their module points from already completed modules towards a diploma or undergraduate degree. By combining a number of courses at the appropriate level, students may effectively tailor their degree to suit their needs, interests and abilities.

A significant number of courses are now conducted online, with the aid of e-tutorials and message rooms where students may interact and discuss the work they have been doing; these are supported with appropriate teaching materials such as DVDs, CDs, printed texts and text book, as well as the "Open 2" collaboration on educational TV programming between the OU and BBC2 (eg, the Rough Science series). Assessment may also be online, through "eTMAs", or electronically-submitted tutor marked assessments, as well as a number of other forms of assessment.

Financing your studies

Unlike the loans and grants available to students studying at physical universities, the OU doesn't take into account your parents' income in assessing the amount of support you are welcome to. It is only your own income that counts where the OU is concerned. The financial support offered comes in three forms: non-repayable grants that cover tuition fees and study costs; an access to learning fund that offers extra funds for various things (such as internet access or books and materials) for students whose household income is less than £27,505; and a disabled students allowance, offering extra support for those with disabilities.

For more information, see contact the OU financial support team, after reading the information on this page.

At a glance

• If you earn less than £16,510 pounds, you will not have to pay anything if you are studying a 30 or 60 point course.
• Financial help is available even for those earning up to £30,000.
• The OU offers help with the costs of childcare.
• Courses start from as little as £115

Facts and information about the OU

• It was established in 1969, and the first students started in January 1971. The majority of students are based in the UK, but its courses can be studied from anywhere in the world.
• The administration is based at Walton Hall, Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, but has regional centres in each of its thirteen regions around the UK.
• The university awards undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, diplomas and certificates.
• It is the largest academic institution in the UK by student number, and qualifies as one of the world's mega universities.
• Since it was founded, more than 3 million students have studied its courses.
• It was rated top University in England and Wales for student satisfaction in the 2005 and 2006 UK government national student satisfaction survey.
• In recent years, the OU has allowed a limited number of under-18s (who may not usually participate in OU courses) to undertake 10 or 20 point modules on a variety of subjects, ranging from genetics to writing poetry. This courses may be paid for by local schools or sixth form centres, and only those tutors who are happy to have under-18s in their groups are involved.

OU Discussions

Latest Relevant Discussions
	OU Degree Classifications   last updated 1 Hour Ago by: lupinpooter
	Is Open University considered better/equal to/lower than a 'normal' degree?   last updated 6 Hours Ago by: Lunarsea
	How much is an OU degree actually worth.   last updated 1 Day Ago by: zippyRN
	Open University Chat Thread  ( 1 2 3 4 5)   last updated 1 Day Ago by: Juno
	Is a degree from the Open University considered equal to a 'proper' degree?  ( 1 2 3)   last updated 1 Day Ago by: dg2009
	Maths and engineering   last updated 1 Day Ago by: smoker_dave
Go to Open University Forum