The course content was good. Got the job done, anyway. I studied through the YASS (Young applicants in schools) program and one of the main benefits pedaled to us was that even though it's distance, you have a dedicated tutor/support team etc. This is only partly true. I had a tutor and a support team but I tried to contact both on several occassions and failed A TMA because I was locked out of the course content - and my tutor wouldn't respond to me. The ePortfolio (I assume) is designed to be helpful but it is really just a box ticking exercise. It's useless, time consuming and takes away from any actual learning on the course.

Do you want to do a degree where you can get immersed in your subject? Too bad! At the Open University you can look forward to modules where you have to jump through pointless hoops and do assignments that you assumed you had left behind you when you were twelve. I am twenty seven, have a degree and a PGCE and wanted to do another degree to support my career and I have had to do things like "give examples of how you were organised" and "write a leaflet aimed at other students on why they should take this module". It is an actual joke! (And I am studying science. I think my least favourite so far was "find a picture that shows both genetics and aging". Super patronisisng. The courses cost a fortune and the tutors are useless - they just point you in the direction of whatever random course material wasn't helping you in the first place. You also have to do mandatory library sessions. If you already know how to use a library, well buckle in for the next hour because you are going to be learning it again. The website is dire. Look forward to trying to work out which tab within a tab within a forum post is the one you need because it will make up roughly 10% of your study time. And there is enforced forum posting, which influences your grades. I could not dislike this university more.

The OU does not encourage you to read outside of their module books and independent thought is discouraged. More importantly the average degrees they hand out are 2:2's and 3rd's. Look at the other reviews on this site to confirm this. Lecturers mark inconsistently, study outside of course books is frowned upon, hardly a Professor in sight..with not that many Dr's of disciplines either. Academic support is whimsical. Disability support is one fit for all. Complaining is a waste of time and if you are a minority student expect to receive lower marks for Level 2 and Level 3 modules - Their own 2014 Equality and Diversity report states as much. The only important thing for the Open university - MONEY. Their other failing is their pathological inability to accept that many students are unhappy with their experience with the OU. They will insist until kingdom come that it is great studying with them. If it was why are their reviews so low, not just on this site but on other sites?

I've attended bricks and mortar too. And I thought at first the OU was better as the material is much more thorough, for science anyway, (in the old book modules). However, the OU are now changing to online modules... and they are a NIGHTMARE!!!!!! Prepare to cope with the likes of 'interactive laboratories' which DO NOT WORK most of the time, and which have 3 DIFFERENT SETS OF INSTRUCTIONS ALL WRITTEN BY DIFFERENT PEOPLE, NONE OF WHICH HELP in some cases, and for which the 'topic specialists' employed to HELP you through online forums DO NOT REPLY TO YOUR QUERIES FOR DAYS... when YOU have a TIME LIMIT APPLIED TO YOU! From personal experience of doing the book and online modules side by side, the new online modules take 3x more hours, and most of that is NOT SPENT LEARNING, BUT FIGHTING WITH AN ARCHAIC, USER-UNFRIENDLY, BADLY DESIGNED SYSTEM! You will literally be tearing your hair out with stress. The tutors completely relate; which means THEY ARE FULLY AWARE HOW HORRIFIC THIS SYSTEM IS! But of course, there is nothing they can do...

they shipped quick(to my UK address)one was business the other starting with psychology the book was thin like my small finger, thats all you get for hundred of pounds psychology was OK for me but NOTHING SPECIAL GIVING NO CREDIT I COULD HAVE READ THIS IN A LIBRARY IM SICK AND TIRED OF FALSE ONLINE SCHOOLS SELLING LIBRARY-KNOCK-OFF MATERIALS the business course was boring and not giving me any ideas how to become a business person running my own... THESE COURSES GET U NO JOB, AND DODGY C.V ONLY if you want to study go for a BA online short courses are useless, all these things can be bought on amazon for 20 pounds

I have health problems that made me transfer to open university from a uni had been physically attending and thought working from home would be better. Except they have not been supportive. At first I thought they were great but now they only care about the money. I have only recently started and my student loan has been delayed so they are saying they will de register me. How just how can they do that?? It's been difficult for me to pursue studies because of on going health problems and I can't take any more set backs and I don't want to give up. I'm on the verge of tears just praying they would e sympathetic and just get in touch with student finance about the situation. Just don't know what to do

I have to agree with other reviews I have read - make no mistake people the OU is a business and they are only interested in taking your money. I was ill during my course and given poor advice by my tutor who clearly did not know the regulations. The faculty staff are not interested in student satisfaction or heaven help us, customer service. Simply in ducking responsibility. This is not the same university I studied with in the 90's and I will never spend any of my hard-earned money on them again. The student casework office are not there to help you, simply to stop you from getting through to someone who actually gives a damn - if such a person exists. Think again and look elsewhere!

I have started with the OU 2 years ago and i have passed all my TMA's but failed on the EMA's very little help or comments given and that's it is GAME OVER,all the money gone and the time not to mention the stress.Now i am making a formal appeal but is there anyone with this kind of experience as i feel they have taken my money and do not bother about anything any more. I have a 10 year work experience in the chosen field,my EMA's were checked by a university lecturer prior to sending and i still had a fail???????????????????

My experience with the Open University has been very good. Throughout the 5 years of study I found the tutors and staff helpful, well organised, supportive and encouraging. They are an excellent value for money too.

Yes, you have to put in a lot of hard work, perhaps that's why there is such a high drop out. But sorry, if you want to have a degree you better stock up on determination.

I enjoyed the first couple of years but have now come to hate OU. I am doing level 3 and get no help from my Tutor. The course is expensive and I do not think that only ten hours in a year of tutorials is enough. Ou seems to think that the course books are enough but they aren't. My tutor comes to the tutorials unprepared, talks off subject and makes rude and unhelpful remarks when marking assignments. I wish I had never started with OU but now I only have two more years to do it seems as if I am stuck with it. Hopefully we will get a better tutor next year who is actually interested!

good support from tutor. very good materials. good website. trusted academic institution.

good distance learning institution. qualifications are recognised.

I passed first time doing social work with the Open University. I loved the course and I loved doing it in my own time at my own pace. However, distance learning is not for those that are easily distracted, you need to keep getting yourself in gear to be disciplined, but then you can do it!