Doing engineering at Open University or Brick University?

Hi I wanted to study Engineering at University , I want to know whether I am better off going to Brick University or Open University? Is Open university even valued by employers due to it having physical elements to the degree? Personally I cant see a highly valued employer valuing a engineering degree from Open university. Any experience or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Original post by Hussnain123

Hi I wanted to study Engineering at University , I want to know whether I am better off going to Brick University or Open University? Is Open university even valued by employers due to it having physical elements to the degree? Personally I cant see a highly valued employer valuing a engineering degree from Open university. Any experience or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Yes the Open University is valued by employers. I believe you will have to do some residential courses as part of the Open University degree.

What is your reasons for looking at the OU?

Reply 2

Hussnain123

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Original post by Smack

Yes the Open University is valued by employers. I believe you will have to do some residential courses as part of the Open University degree.

What is your reasons for looking at the OU?

Well I am mature student and working so it would make my life easier. However if it isn't going to be valued the same as a University of Nottingham degree then I rather avoid it. What do you mean by residential courses? Will this be the practical? I cannot imagine it will be at the level same as traditional universities?

Also Can I ask where you have studied here.

Thanks for all your reply!

Original post by Hussnain123

Well I am mature student and working so it would make my life easier. However if it isn't going to be valued the same as a University of Nottingham degree then I rather avoid it. What do you mean by residential courses? Will this be the practical? I cannot imagine it will be at the level same as traditional universities?

Also Can I ask where you have studied here.

Thanks for all your reply!

The OU is generally valued the same as a 'brick' university. I'm not sure what the residential courses will consist of, though, you'd be best to consult the OU about them.

I studied mechanical engineering (at a brick university, not the OU though).

Reply 4

Hussnain123

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Ok in that case , can i ask which university did you go to and how much practical work did you do on this course?

Reply 5

Doones

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Original post by Hussnain123

Ok in that case , can i ask which university did you go to and how much practical work did you do on this course?

Have you looked at the OU course details? They have a week's residential period and it's fully accredited by IMechE, etc.

BEng http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/qualifications/q65
MEng http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/qualifications/m04

It really depends on your personal circumstances...

Posted from TSR Mobile

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 6

Hussnain123

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Original post by Doonesbury

Have you looked at the OU course details? They have a week's residential period and it's fully accredited by IMechE, etc.

BEng http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/qualifications/q65
MEng http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/qualifications/m04

It really depends on your personal circumstances...

Posted from TSR Mobile

Yes, I've taken a look. I'm just trying to get more information regarding whether its held in the same value as the those from "Uni of" unis. I know its accredited but still I bave read some have accused open uni of doing the bare minimum whereas others go further. Im not sure if 1 week resedential is enough. Ive seen on University of Nottingham 20% course is practical. Just asking incase any engineering students or those who have previously studies can help me in my deicision.

Reply 7

Doones

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Original post by Hussnain123

Yes, I've taken a look. I'm just trying to get more information regarding whether its held in the same value as the those from "Uni of" unis. I know its accredited but still I bave read some have accused open uni of doing the bare minimum whereas others go further. Im not sure if 1 week resedential is enough. Ive seen on University of Nottingham 20% course is practical. Just asking incase any engineering students or those who have previously studies can help me in my deicision.

Employers know that OU students have to juggle "real life" plus a very challenging degree course. There's no disadvantage.

But, it's definitely not an easy route either. The easier choice would be a brick university... (for one, a brick uni is quicker.).

Original post by Hussnain123

Ok in that case , can i ask which university did you go to and how much practical work did you do on this course?

I went to RGU in Aberdeen. There wasn't a huge amount of practical, and there generally isn't that much practical at university anyway.

Reply 9

Hussnain123

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Original post by Smack

I went to RGU in Aberdeen. There wasn't a huge amount of practical, and there generally isn't that much practical at university anyway.

Can I ask which engineering course you did

Original post by Hussnain123

Can I ask which engineering course you did

MEng Mechanical Engineering.

Reply 11

Hussnain123

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Original post by Smack

MEng Mechanical Engineering.[/

In that course , what percentage did would you say was practical compared to the rest of the degree. Also i want to do electronic engineering , would you happen to know whether this is more practical or not? I just want to make the right decision! as i'm 26 now , theirs no time for errors!

Original post by Hussnain123

In that course , what percentage did would you say was practical compared to the rest of the degree. Also i want to do electronic engineering , would you happen to know whether this is more practical or not? I just want to make the right decision! as i'm 26 now , theirs no time for errors!

Can't give an exact figure, but a really low percentage overall. In terms of what counted towards the degree classification, it was virtually all exams and coursework, which was mainly reports.

I don't know whether electronics is more practical than mechanical - although if you want you can make your own "practical" by buying something like an Arduino kit and playing about with it.

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 13

Tpage1234

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Hi, I am looking to do engineering with the OU, specialising in electrical and electronics. I am currently a electrical technician with 10 years industrial experience, so not worried about the practical elements. Basically i need to study this as my work won’t allow me the day off to study at brick uni when I got a place at university of Greenwich, so would this OU degree in general engineering but choosing to specialise in electrical be as good for me as the electrical and electronic engineering course at Greenwich? Cheers

Reply 14

ajj2000

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Original post by Tpage1234

Hi, I am looking to do engineering with the OU, specialising in electrical and electronics. I am currently a electrical technician with 10 years industrial experience, so not worried about the practical elements. Basically i need to study this as my work won’t allow me the day off to study at brick uni when I got a place at university of Greenwich, so would this OU degree in general engineering but choosing to specialise in electrical be as good for me as the electrical and electronic engineering course at Greenwich? Cheers

Are you on too high a salary to look for a degree apprenticeship?

Reply 15

Hussnain123

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Original post by Tpage1234

Hi, I am looking to do engineering with the OU, specialising in electrical and electronics. I am currently a electrical technician with 10 years industrial experience, so not worried about the practical elements. Basically i need to study this as my work won’t allow me the day off to study at brick uni when I got a place at university of Greenwich, so would this OU degree in general engineering but choosing to specialise in electrical be as good for me as the electrical and electronic engineering course at Greenwich? Cheers

I was interested in doing electrical and electronic engineering at open university but they only do electronic not electrical.

Original post by Hussnain123

I was interested in doing electrical and electronic engineering at open university but they only do electronic not electrical.

How much of a difference is there really? Do you still do some electrical stuff during the electronics degree at the OU?

Reply 17

Hussnain123

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From my research it seems , electronics is a speciliased branch of the electrical study. so doing electronics you wont cover other electrical stuff but just the electrical bits connected to electronics which is usually low volatage stuff like computer components etc. i would say electrical opens more doors as it covers various electrical stuff but to be honest not sure about the answer to your question but my guess would be it would only cover that area of electrical study which is the electronics if that makes any sense!

Reply 18

Tpage1234

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Original post by ajj2000

Are you on too high a salary to look for a degree apprenticeship?

The problem is they won’t let me out on day release. I’m 30. I really don’t have the time to wait until another year or so. I have hit a wall in my career. I need a degree to get into management.