Unsure about the OU, would like some advice

TCK1992

Hi everyone,
I'm considering taking a course in criminology & psychology as I've always had in interest in both subjects. I've completed 2 years of a degree at a bricks and mortar Uni in philosophy & literature but had to leave due to personal problems. I plan on using my credits gained towards this degreee in my OU degree, however I'm a little apprehensive about joining as I've read nothing but scathing reviews on line regarding the OU, but I know some people who have had a positive experience. I'm also a little unsure as I don't know how much weight and OU degree will carry. I currently have a decent full time job and earn an alright wage, but I don't feel like I'm living up to my potential as I know I am capable of so much more. Is the OU right for me? Also does anyone have any experience in my prefered degree and how have you found it / how have you found employment after. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 1

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

A lot of people are very critical of it on here because of the perceived lack of prestige, but isn't necessarily true or helpful. It's generally more common that people being at OU then move to a physical university to get their degree, but the reverse is possible and has been done.

The main considerations are, what do you want to do after you get this degree? This may help inform your decision if you want to e.g. go into research and do a PhD vs immediately look for a graduate job. You may also want to look into Birkbeck, University of London's offerings - they specialise in having part time and evening lecture programmes (and some distance learning), but do have physical departments with research staff which is helpful for doing e.g. dissertations/projects and so on.

Open University

Milton Keynes

Reply 2

TCK1992

Thanks for the reply :smile:

Ideally I'd like to go into further study as I'm not entirely sure what I want to do beyond a few pipe dreams. I've looked into Birkbeck but I need something a bit more flexible. I love to read and I love to write and this is something I'm passionate about so I'd love to get stuck into it.

I'd like to know more about this course in particular and what peoples experiences are with it and with life after the course. Any kind of insight would be welcome

Reply 3

princessmaire80

I've just finished an OU degree (not the one you're interested in sadly although I do know people who have done it- my mentor teaches Social Sciences and I've heard a few things through her)
And I have to say I've had a far more positive experience and been far more supported than I have when I was at a brick uni.
The support structure at OU was amazing- I got approximately zero support when I was at Nottingham Uni, who kicked me off the course because I had an illness which was pre cancerous but because it was specific to one gender they couldn't consider it! I have some very complex needs and therefore some odd requests and the OU didn't bat an eyelid.
I've gone on to apply for a Masters in my field and the professor in charge of the course actually told me that they value OU students extremely highly because of their skills.
Many employers also think the same- I have heard stories in many fields of employers complaining that some graduates have first class degrees but few transferable skills whereas OU students have studied with the OU because they have other things going on in their lives which make their skills more desirable in industry- perhaps they already have work experience behind them.
With regards to the Social Science subjects you are looking at studying- they have good employment prospects- I know people and my mentor has mentioned people who are using these subjects to go to brick uni and do postgraduate qualifications in order to further their career (psychologists etc) and my mentor has a student who is going to Oxford to do her Masters after studying these particular two subjects.
Hope that helps 😊

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 4

TCK1992