Open University > Yay or Nay?

The marking is a level down on normal uni, so the distinction level is 85%-100% rather than 70-85% in brick uni meaning you may end up with a 2:2 where you would get a 2:1 at the same level in normal uni.

First-Class Honours (First or 1st) (70% and above) (OPEN UNIVERSITY 85%+)
Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1, 2.i) (60-70%) (OPEN UNIVERSITY 70-85%)
Lower Second-Class Honours (2:2, 2.ii) (50-60%) (OPEN UNIVERSITY 55-70%)
Third-Class Honours (Third or 3rd) (40-50%) (OPEN UNIVERSITY 40-55%)

i've heard people say that before but how can it be the case in reality, given that people can get above 85% in brick uni. How could that work in a Maths module for example?

For my first module (worth 60 points) I had to write five essays to be marked by my tutor, a report, and then an end of year essay. All the grades mattered.

For the 60 point level 2 module I did last year I had to write six essays and sit a three hour exam which was supervised. No notes or books allowed.

The one I am doing this year is the same - six essays and a three hour supervised exam at the end.

I can understand the conclusions you've drawn from your experiences, though. Which module was it that you did?

For my first module (worth 60 points) I had to write five essays to be marked by my tutor, a report, and then an end of year essay. All the grades mattered.

For the 60 point level 2 module I did last year I had to write six essays and sit a three hour exam which was supervised. No notes or books allowed.

The one I am doing this year is the same - six essays and a three hour supervised exam at the end.

I can understand the conclusions you've drawn from your experiences, though. Which module was it that you did?

This is an interesting discussion and one I can speak with some authority on as I have just completed a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) with the OU. Most OU students study with the OU because they did not have the opportunity of going to Uni at 18 and not because they were not capable of doing so.

My LL.B took 4.5 years whilst doing a full time job and with a family so it is not as easy as doing it at 18 with no responsibilities and dedicated time to study and with nothing else on your mind.

The standard is also very high with grade boundaries at 85% for a first 70% for a 2.1 etc. You are also not permitted any statute notes of any kind in exams whereas my friends daughter is permitted to take statute notes into her law exams at a red-brick uni, which annoyed the hell out of my friend even though it was her daughter she was talking about. My experience in business tells me that OU degrees in subjects such as law, chemistry etc are very well thought of indeed and give you a lot of credibility.

Actually the OU is better than most Brick universities. I have studied at both and easily consider the OU better. At a Brick Uni' one attends lectures that basically tell you very little. You then have to go off and get on with the work. At the OU you have all the materials, lectures are available online and your tutor is just a phone call away. You just have to have the determination to get on with it. Many of those who do degrees with the OU already have a degree. Yes, anyone can start with the OU, however, those without the academic ability simply drop out. I simply cannot understand the idiots who keep praising the more traditional uni'. What the student with the OU misses out on is the 'beer culture'.
Anyone who can complete a degree with the OU exhibit will-power, determination etc. The degree is no easier. In regard to fairness I simply don't know what you are referring to. Ideas of fairness simply don't come into it.

Hey guys!

Today I found out that my friend is paying to get a law degree via Open University.
For those who don't know what Open University (more commonly referred to by its initalism OU) is, it's a student fee funded university which has an open entry policy i.e Students' previous academic achievements are not taken into account for entry. You can study your course where you want when you want - There's no campus as such. The Uni offers education via television, Internet, email and post.
It's very different from the traditional university expirence.

I must say, I'm very happy for my friend as its a life long dream for him to study law, and with his medicoa CBB A levels he wasn't able to secure a place at university to study law, until he found OU that is!

However, I can't help but think OU is not as good as it sounds.
Many people work their butts off for years to attain great grades to be able to study a degree at Uni. With OU however, you don't need any academics at all!?

Surely this is not fair?

I'm wondering if anyone could clarify this for me, and explain the pros and cons of Open University? Granted I don't know a huge amount about it.

The Open University exists to allow those access to university level education and courses etc who otherwise would not have access to this be it due to work commitments, being in the army, disability etc etc. It was there to allow that equal opportunity to everyone who were otherwise unable to attend a traditional university.

Of course it doesn't carry the same "wow" factor as say Cambridge or even somewhere like Manchester but the courses are just as rigorous if not more so. I would say more so as traditionally you need to score a higher percentage on average to get the equivalent grade at a traditional university e.g. you would need an average of 85% or above in your courses to get a 1st. In some courses you need to be consistent in every module i.e. you would need to get an average of 85% in ALL TMAs and in the EMA otherwise you would drop a grade or two. So you can see that with the OU there really is no room forever and a "bad day" on an exam or with an EMA or TMA can see you drop a grade or two.

Aside from the grading, to most extents and purposes you are on your own. Sure your tutor is a call or email away and there may be the odd weekend seminar etc but it requires an incredible amount of dedication and organisation to just sit there and learn the material on your own without the lecturer there in front of you, then to understand it all and communicate that effectively in an essay.

Law is also particularly popular with the OU and rigorous. The OU is highly regarded by employers for the reasons that it demonstrates candidates have a high amount of self-discipline and dedication which a lot of recruiters actively look for.

I can only speak for maths and science but the courses at the OU are NOT more rigorous than universities like Manchester. Whilst you need 85% to get a first at the OU and only 70% at a brick university, the exams at the OU are significantly lower level and easier to prepare for if you use the past papers. In addition, what if someone at a brick university gets 90%? That is not equivalent to a 90% at the OU.

So who gets 90 % at a brick uni?

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