The Student Room Group

Is it worth it? Open uni

I want to take psychology, I got into KCL for international development. KCL says psychology is full and I don’t think I’ll get in anyways cause my grades might crap this year (that’s what I suspect).

I thought I’d take psychology at open university, it’s BPS accredited and a much “cheaper” option too. Also I can’t just do masters at a brick uni. My only worry is that I wanted to go to a brick university for socialising and making friends. You can’t really do that at open uni right??

Also do you think I should follow through with this plan? Or should I just go to a brick uni instead? Would I be able to apply to open university on the day of results day and start this academic year?
Reply 1
i wouldn't completely write off brick unis this year yet - it sounds like it is what you want to do so having a look into your options for Clearing on results day might be worth doing (if KCL Psych is full then not there but there are usually pretty good unis in Clearing and they might be a little more flexible about grades). You can socialise at OU but its harder since everyone is remote and you wouldn't get the same uni life experience.
Original post by eeeli
i wouldn't completely write off brick unis this year yet - it sounds like it is what you want to do so having a look into your options for Clearing on results day might be worth doing (if KCL Psych is full then not there but there are usually pretty good unis in Clearing and they might be a little more flexible about grades). You can socialise at OU but its harder since everyone is remote and you wouldn't get the same uni life experience.


The thing is I can’t leave London so KCL seems to be my only option and I don’t think I’ll be able to make it in seeing that it’s full. Since I’m not moving out either it will sort of feel like going to college and coming back? So I’m not sure. I feel like just going remote?
Reply 3
Original post by RevisionisKey1
The thing is I can’t leave London so KCL seems to be my only option and I don’t think I’ll be able to make it in seeing that it’s full. Since I’m not moving out either it will sort of feel like going to college and coming back? So I’m not sure. I feel like just going remote?

Ah I didn't realise you were geographically restricted - OU might be worth it then (though potentially other London unis might show up in clearing and that might be worth considering too?). It looks like you can apply for October 2024 start at the OU until the 5th September so you should be able to get in after results day if it doesn't work out at KCL. Please verify all this info yourself though, I'm not associated with OU so I don't know for sure about their processes.
Original post by RevisionisKey1
I want to take psychology, I got into KCL for international development. KCL says psychology is full and I don’t think I’ll get in anyways cause my grades might crap this year (that’s what I suspect).
I thought I’d take psychology at open university, it’s BPS accredited and a much “cheaper” option too. Also I can’t just do masters at a brick uni. My only worry is that I wanted to go to a brick university for socialising and making friends. You can’t really do that at open uni right??
Also do you think I should follow through with this plan? Or should I just go to a brick uni instead? Would I be able to apply to open university on the day of results day and start this academic year?

Hi there,

Based on how you phrased your question, I assume that it is not entirely clear to you what studying at The Open University entails. If it worries you that you won't have a traditional student life at OU, then it definitely is not for you - it will only make you unhappy. As an OU student, I have a full-time job and don't have the time nor interest to socialise like I did when I studied at a brick uni in my 20ies. My only focus is my courses.

The OU is a distance learning institution where the success of your studies primarily depends on you and your ability to motivate yourself. There is no group dynamic that will carry you through, as is sometimes the case at brick unis. For instance, the OU publishes on the website until when you can apply for which module; the fact that you did not find that information on the website suggests that distance learning might not be the best option for you at this stage in your life.

Maybe consider doing something else for a year and then try to get into a brick uni again, if it doesn't work out this year.

Good luck!
Original post by physicsmystic24
Hi there,
Based on how you phrased your question, I assume that it is not entirely clear to you what studying at The Open University entails. If it worries you that you won't have a traditional student life at OU, then it definitely is not for you - it will only make you unhappy. As an OU student, I have a full-time job and don't have the time nor interest to socialise like I did when I studied at a brick uni in my 20ies. My only focus is my courses.
The OU is a distance learning institution where the success of your studies primarily depends on you and your ability to motivate yourself. There is no group dynamic that will carry you through, as is sometimes the case at brick unis. For instance, the OU publishes on the website until when you can apply for which module; the fact that you did not find that information on the website suggests that distance learning might not be the best option for you at this stage in your life.
Maybe consider doing something else for a year and then try to get into a brick uni again, if it doesn't work out this year.
Good luck!


Hey thanks for the post.

I was wondering if there was any social groups at open uni, if not that’s totally fine. I can do distant learning because the last year I’ve been resitting my alevels alone and I know what you mean when you say you need to motivate yourself and I understand how tricky it can be at times but I have proven to myself that I can. Honestly open uni aligns with a lot of the things I want to do. I want to work part time and do a full time course at open uni, I’m mostly doing it because I can’t leave London and I can’t study psychology at kings college and I don’t want to study it elsewhere and I’ve checked the modules at open uni and I like it too. So if I go into clearing and kings college doesn’t take me in I will 100% consider open university.

Open uni is a new thing for me and I’m trying to make sense of it. I wanted to ask, since you went to a brick uni, which experience did you prefer? Open uni or brick?
Do the Open University thing. Because that's what I'm doing and its fine. Socialise with you neighbours, socialise anywhere - know what I mean?
Original post by hunterkelso
Do the Open University thing. Because that's what I'm doing and its fine. Socialise with you neighbours, socialise anywhere - know what I mean?


Haha! Thanks for the reply, I’ve signed up and I’m ready!
Original post by RevisionisKey1
Haha! Thanks for the reply, I’ve signed up and I’m ready!

Right on, brother.
Original post by RevisionisKey1
The thing is I can’t leave London so KCL seems to be my only option and I don’t think I’ll be able to make it in seeing that it’s full. Since I’m not moving out either it will sort of feel like going to college and coming back? So I’m not sure. I feel like just going remote?


There are other universities in London, you know? Queen Mary usually has clearing spaces for psychology and they tend to accept people with lower grades than the ones they advertise. If not, maybe the Open Uni? Don't do a course you don't actually want to do.

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