Has anybody else studied with the Open University?

[Anthony Beckwith]

I have recently embarked on a BSc physics course with The OU. Has anybody eles studied with the OU?. So far I have found them helpful and supportive. Any advice?

 

[jedishrfu]

There are many Open Universities which one are you a member of?

Some things to always consider:

1) Are they accredited? If not then any degree they give out has no worth.

2) Can their course credits be transferred to a brick and mortar university?

3) What are their costs? Are they pressing you to get student loans?

Many students get caught in the trap of student loan payback for a degree that they can't use to pay a job.

Some of these online universities get their accreditation by buying a failing accredited school and making it part of their university..

Here's some articles on what to watch out for:

https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/articles/2015/06/09/7-warning-signs-an-online-degree-is-a-scam

https://www.usnews.com/higher-education/online-education/slideshows/10-red-flags-an-online-degree-program-is-fake

https://abcnews.go.com/Business/Per...s-scam-students-fake-degrees/story?id=8322412

 

[Anthony Beckwith]

Oh I am not worried about being dodgy its the actul Open University that's it's name its an accredited UK university very well known.

http://www.open.ac.uk/

Just wanted some tips or heads up from anybody whos done their physics course I am doing it part time so its 6 years would it be worth going full time?.

 

[jedishrfu]

I found this site that talks about online universities and mentions yours in a positive light.

https://targetcareers.co.uk/uni/choices-about-uni/384879-distance-learning-degrees-the-right-choice

It did mention that the OU business school is accredited internationally but didn't mention about the other undergraduate degreed programs.

And I found this WIkipedia article that is favorable to it as well:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_University

and lastly some somewhat negative student reviews :

https://www.whatuni.com/university-course-reviews/open-university/4520/

which you have to take with a grain of salt as its probably skewed toward the complainers and not the ones who adapted to the ways of the Open University.

 

[RahSuh]

HI - I am doing th OU course on Maths/Physics ! Am in my second year. Have you started the course yet. The first year is general science course and maths. The general science course was very good in parts and bad in parts. The science was great and some of the assignments were great. Some of the assignments were a bit noddy. Am now on the second year physics course. How you get on depends on your time commitment. Don't underestimate the time it takes per week esp if you are working during the day. The material is good - esp the maths stuff. the latter is excellent. It has been written assuming that you know nothing. Let me know if you want to know more.

 

[Anthony Beckwith]

Hey thanks

Not started the physics course yet. I am still on the access course which i find really good I like the style of teaching they adopt.

I have also found them to be really supportive with me being dyslexic.

Thanks for the comment was exactly what i was looking for.

 

[Dr Transport]

How is the program going to handle lab courses being online, that is a necessary part of the physics curriculum anywhere and i'd not hire a person with a degree without it.

 

[PeroK]

How is the program going to handle lab courses being online, that is a necessary part of the physics curriculum anywhere and i'd not hire a person with a degree without it.

They have a campus for lab work in Milton Keynes.

 

[StatGuy2000]

How is the program going to handle lab courses being online, that is a necessary part of the physics curriculum anywhere and i'd not hire a person with a degree without it.

My understanding is that for the Open University in the UK, lab courses are handled by using the computer to analyze experiments that have been conducted in lab practice. There may also be options available for Open University students to take lab courses on site with other universities.

 

[Dr Transport]

My understanding is that the Open University in the UK is that lab courses are handled by using the computer to analyze experiments that have been conducted in lab practice. There may also be options available for Open University students to take lab courses on site with other universities.

computer analysis is fine, but the actual taking of the data is more important than using excel, python or MATLAB to look at data.