OU Study (friend problem)

Hi

I have been hovvering around this forum for a while, and have just joined so i could reply to you.
Could you tell me how you are finding an OU degree? My best friend is threatening to leave after the first year and finish degree with OU. He's not saying too much, but i'm wondering if it is for financial reasons and he's too embarrassed to say. He is wondering if it would be difficult to feel motivated whilst working all on his own though.
Is there any advice you could give?

Also, in reply to your question. Whilst you may well be able to get in to do a Masters with an OU degree, if people want to become a psychologist then they ususally do the professional exams after rather than a Masters. I hope this helps.

Reply 1

Nitebot

Original post by melli91

I am currently reading Psychology at the Open University and want to know if the degree I will achieve at the end of my course will be accepted by other red brick universities (such as LSE, UCL...) to apply for a Masters course?

I am aware that an Open University degree is not as well regarded as others but I really hope that it doesn't affect my chances to do a postgraduate course at a very good university... Some reassurance would be nice!

As you know, the OU Psychology degree is BPS accredited so it will be taken seriously by all universities and there should be no problems applying anywhere to do a Masters. I've always thought that the OU Criminology/Psychology combo degree is the dodgy one. Better to do OU Law or Psychology and do Criminology as a Masters.

Open University

Milton Keynes

Reply 2

meowcat95

Original post by melli91

As others said, many unis look favourably upon OU degrees because of the self-study skills you have to develop. If you were doing, say, Marketing or something I wouldn't think you'd have a chance, but Psychology is a well-respected subject and it's not a "doss" as some might say. Good luck!

Reply 3

Nitebot

Original post by robin93

I think it all depends on the subject. If he's doing science he should stay where he is for the valuable lab time experience. Languages are better at Uni too. But general humanities degrees and subjects like law and psychology are fine with the OU. Engineering's ok as they have compulsory residential schools which are required to get accreditation from the engineering institutes. OU Business school is really strong too.

I think if your friend is able to work whilst studying he might feel better for it. There's not so much pressing need to get the degree done if you're getting decent work experience so you can take things a bit more easily. Also there's plenty of interaction on the OU forums. If you can get involved in that then the enthusiasm of others can rub off on to you. But some people just quietly get on with things in their own way. I think price and future career prospects should be a driving force.

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 4

River85

Original post by robin93

Hi. I've moved your post to a new thread. As a general rule it's best not to bump old threads, especially ones older than six months. Often it just means your own post gets ignored while people keep on replying to the old, original, post (and the member who made it is perhaps long gone from TSR).

As for your friend's question, there will be current students who can offer feedback.

Also, in reply to your question. Whilst you may well be able to get in to do a Masters with an OU degree, if people want to become a psychologist then they ususally do the professional exams after rather than a Masters. I hope this helps.

I know this is no longer relevant, but I don't know what you mean by professional exams. A BPS accredited degree is required (and I believe the OU's degree is) then the student will usually take a Masters degree, or Doctorate, in their chosen specialisation (e.g. Occupational Psychology) rather than post-qualifying exams.