Value of Open University qualifications?

[abbie]

Hi.
This is probably a little off topic/ UK specific, but it's a topic I'm sceptical about and can't find any solid data on, so here goes.

Due to illness, I am studying some courses with the British Open University.
Before my illness I studied at a real, physical university.
My problem is that, although the O.U. claim their courses are a valuable accredited degree, they seem suspiciously easy compared to my 'real' university experience. [I studied comp. sci. prior to illness, and am doing maths now].

Also, there are only 3 levels of courses available, and Level 1 consists of A level material. This makes me fairly sure that level 2 is equal to 1st year undergrad, which makes me suspect that level 3 is equal to 2nd year undergrad, and there is no level 4, which makes me worry if my 'degree' will be worth the paper it's printed on.

I've tried to raise the matter gently with fellow students and tutors, but the students (mainly older people getting the education they couldn't afford before) get very touchy, and the tutors clam up.

So if anyone knows anything, I'd love to hear. I'm happy to be studying my courses, just to keep my brain working, but I'd hate to be lied to and 'earn' a degree I haven't really done the work for.

I want to know if a person with an 'Open' degree is truly as qualified as a normally degreed person.

I want to know if an Open degree can get you in to a bricks and mortar postgrad program.

Either way, I don't know and no-one will tell me, which is a weird and wrong feeling. I'm not used to taking things on trust alone, and I'm after a Bsc, not self-esteem or validation or an improvement in my energy field or whatever...

 

[TheChadd]

Is it recognised as a university by some government body? Here in australia universities are established via acts of parliament and I imagine it is probably the same in the UK? Just quickly checking out their website... at http://www.open.ac.uk/about/ou/p3.shtml I see what seems to suggest that the university was established through parliament, so it is definately legit and the courses would have to be accreddited at least in some way..

As for whether these degrees can count towards post-grad study later on, I suggest contacting one of the universities you would like to attend and ask them whether your degree would qualify for any postgrad study.

After checking out the wikipedia entry... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_University I can do nothing but conclude that it definately seems legit. However don't trust me with your soul.

 

[brodski]

Hi.
This is probably a little off topic/ UK specific, but it's a topic I'm sceptical about and can't find any solid data on, so here goes.

Due to illness, I am studying some courses with the British Open University.
Before my illness I studied at a real, physical university.
My problem is that, although the O.U. claim their courses are a valuable accredited degree, they seem suspiciously easy compared to my 'real' university experience. [I studied comp. sci. prior to illness, and am doing maths now].

Also, there are only 3 levels of courses available, and Level 1 consists of A level material. This makes me fairly sure that level 2 is equal to 1st year undergrad, which makes me suspect that level 3 is equal to 2nd year undergrad, and there is no level 4, which makes me worry if my 'degree' will be worth the paper it's printed on.

I've tried to raise the matter gently with fellow students and tutors, but the students (mainly older people getting the education they couldn't afford before) get very touchy, and the tutors clam up.

So if anyone knows anything, I'd love to hear. I'm happy to be studying my courses, just to keep my brain working, but I'd hate to be lied to and 'earn' a degree I haven't really done the work for.

I want to know if a person with an 'Open' degree is truly as qualified as a normally degreed person.

I want to know if an Open degree can get you in to a bricks and mortar postgrad program.

Either way, I don't know and no-one will tell me, which is a weird and wrong feeling. I'm not used to taking things on trust alone, and I'm after a Bsc, not self-esteem or validation or an improvement in my energy field or whatever...

The OU is a fully accredited university, which offers both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. It also offers "access" level coerces (to prepare people for degrees)The OU actually has a very good academic reputation, however because of its nature, the "experience" is very different from "standard" universities.Other UK universities recognise OU qualifications, as the OU is accredited to the same standards as all other UK (accredited) universities.

 

[abbie]

that's what THEY want you to believe...

Just kidding.
This whole thing is making me feel like a conspiracy theorist.
Which is new.

I don't know. I just get the feeling that a (conventional) degree where students pass A-levels then do 3 years of named subject has to be a more advanced qualification than an open degree where students only do 2 'years' worth of post-A-level study.

Please, someone tell me I'm not mad?

 

[Darat]

Just kidding.
This whole thing is making me feel like a conspiracy theorist.
Which is new.

I don't know. I just get the feeling that a (conventional) degree where students pass A-levels then do 3 years of named subject has to be a more advanced qualification than an open degree where students only do 2 'years' worth of post-A-level study.

Please, someone tell me I'm not mad?

You're mad!

Seriously an OU degree is considered as good as any other (except of course Oxbridge! ) degree of the same level etc.

 

[abbie]

If I'm mad...

It's fine.
Everything seems too easy because my spirit guide was a great Apache mathemetician in a former life, and is whispering the answers in my ear.
Now if I could just get him to go away so I can learn something for myself...

 

[Rasmus]

Found some information on a german website (now how does that figure into your conspiracy theory?) according to which the OU is ranked 13th of 98 and googling a little further lead me here.

 

[Diamond]

I am an OU undergrad, but I skipped the year one stuff (too easy) and did Year 2 course.

If you've just been at University, then Year 1 is going to seem ridiculously easy because Year 1 courses are for people who are taking up study after 15-30 years after leaving school (usually without A-levels)

You should be doing Year 2 and Year 3 courses, not Year 1. Year 1 counts very little/nothing to the grading on the degree itself.

 

[malbui]

If you've just been at University, then Year 1 is going to seem ridiculously easy because Year 1 courses are for people who are taking up study after 15-30 years after leaving school (usually without A-levels)

You should be doing Year 2 and Year 3 courses, not Year 1. Year 1 counts very little/nothing to the grading on the degree itself.

From my experience I'm inclined to agree with Diamond. My mother did an OU degree that overlapped pretty well with my undergraduate years. The first year was fairly straightforward stuff but there was some stuff in her final year that made my head hurt even though I'd just graduated well covering a lot of the same material. There's no reason to conclude that her OU degree is not of the same value as my full-time one.

 

[abbie]

Thankyou

From my experience I'm inclined to agree with Diamond. My mother did an OU degree that overlapped pretty well with my undergraduate years. The first year was fairly straightforward stuff but there was some stuff in her final year that made my head hurt even though I'd just graduated well covering a lot of the same material. There's no reason to conclude that her OU degree is not of the same value as my full-time one.

That is exactly what I'd been hoping to hear.
I didn't do level 1, did 60 points at level 2, and have just started another level 2 and a level 3 course.
The level 3 course made me a bit worried because the first unit is very soft, but I suppose that's down to not having any real prerequisite courses or structured curriculum.
Now all I need to do is sit back, go through the workbooks and wait for my head to hurt.
Thankyou.

 

[homer]

Some years ago I did an OU 3rd level course which was later upgraded to 4th level because an independant survey rated it as too difficult . I don't know the state of things these days .My course was called Abstract Algebra and dealt with galois theory . It was certainly not easy .
Certainly the foundation courses do move you though A-Level study preparing you for university level studies at level two . Actually I found this first year quite difficult , but I had only studied to O- Level at that time . After this foundation I was able to put together a degree that was acceptable to the professional body .I don't think there is any problem with OU Degrees , but as I said I've not had any contact with them for years .

 

[Bullet]

I think the fact that you are studying at home through an illness will carry a great deal of weight for any future employer, and this will more than outweigh any perceived "stigma" that may be attached to OU degrees (imo)

 

[sesmo_k]

Just to add my thoughts...

I graduated from a traditional university 9 years ago with a degree in Immunology. To be honest, I have nearly completed a degree through the OU in Psychology and I find it as easy (if a degree can be classed as easy) as my first degree. I have one more Level three unit to do. As the psyc course didn't have any units over the winter, I've just finished two level one science courses in Maths and Astronomy. The astronomy was a doddle, the Maths more like what I remember A level was. To argue that the courses are easier than those presented at a traditional university would probably have to take into account the drop in A level standards, after all, I can't compare the two directly. (Lets face it, those who remember O level/early GCSE french probably vaguely remember learning verb tenses.. these aren't even covered till A level now). I thoroughly enjoy learning with the OU, but then I like learning and aren't too bothered about it leading to a job after the study.

Abbie, I have friend who studied with the OU and is now on their way getting a doctorate in clinical psychology. I'm not saying that all post grad schools will view OU qualifications in the same way, but he managed it with a first from the OU in one of the most difficult areas of post grad study to get into.

Good luck with the course, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. No studying is ever really wasted. I'm sure the easiness is just a sign of a superior mind (thats what I tell myself anyway.. LOL)!