Is Open University respected??

I want to work? Maybe apprenticeship? But also gain a degree at Open university.
I’m wondering, is it respected as much as other uni’s?
If I want to apply to a prestigious company, for example, would they feel like my Open University Degree isn’t useful or better? Than compared to someone else who has gone to KCL? Or SOAS? To get their degree.

I’m just weighing out my option so I’m worried this plan might backfire.

Reply 1

Anonymous #2

Yeah I think it’s fair respected, probably on the same level as a mid-tier uni maybe. I can’t say for certain tho as I’m not really knowledgeable on Open Uni stuff

Reply 2

username872704

I've got quals from brick unis and the Open Uni and work in aerospace/avionics. I've had no issues getting jobs with either quals on my CV and we always view OU students with interest due to the increased self-motivation, discipline and determination they tend to bring to their studies and such.

The OU is indeed well regarded and many of their courses are accredited by the professional bodies in industry, for example their engineering degree and masters courses. It may be that some professional areas such as Law and Finance might prefer certain universities, but I've also known people to go on to masters and PhD courses at Oxford and Cambridge following OU degrees, so anything is possible.

It's a viable option for a lot of peeps who can't do brick uni, have to work or want a career change and, in my slightly biased opinion, may be one of the greatest things the country has ever created.

Might also be worth looking into degree apprenticeships in the industry you are interested in, as that might be the best of both worlds for you.

Edit: As always, make the choices that feel right to you and don't look back 😀

(edited 10 months ago)

Reply 3

Anonymous #1

Original post by Grim_Squeaker

I've got quals from brick unis and the Open Uni and work in aerospace/avionics. I've had no issues getting jobs with either quals on my CV and we always view OU students with interest due to the increased self-motivation, discipline and determination they tend to bring to their studies and such.
The OU is indeed well regarded and many of their courses are accredited by the professional bodies in industry, for example their engineering degree and masters courses. It may be that some professional areas such as Law and Finance might prefer certain universities, but I've also known people to go on to masters and PhD courses at Oxford and Cambridge following OU degrees, so anything is possible.
It's a viable option for a lot of peeps who can't do brick uni, have to work or want a career change and, in my slightly biased opinion, may be one of the greatest things the country has ever created.
Might also be worth looking into degree apprenticeships in the industry you are interested in, as that might be the best of both worlds for you.
Edit: As always, make the choices that feel right to you and don't look back 😀

Love the advice and that’s an awesome career path. I was thinking to do degree apprenticeships but I’m not able to leave London and there’s not a variety of options available in london.

I thought I’d take psychology undergraduate degree and continue on to do masters and PhD into clinical psychology, so I may switch to a brick uni (if God forbid I didn’t like open uni) but I’d always have that option available which I love.

Also while doing a bachelors in open uni I was thinking to work at the same time and get experience in different places which a lot of students in Uni won’t be able to do and I find that an inconvenience because people tend to believe that their degree will get them a job which is not always true. I’ve heard from a lot of friends as well that they’d rather take an apprenticeship than be in uni this year, which is crazy!

Your advice helped a lot!