The Open University Reviews 1,220

I have had a very positive experience studying with The Open University. The flexibility of online learning has allowed me to balance my studies with other commitments, while still receiving high-quality educational support. The course materials are well structured, engaging and designed to encourage independent thinking. I particularly appreciate the variety of learning resources, including online activities, tutorials and academic guidance from tutors. Studying with the Open University has helped me develop valuable skills in research, critical thinking and time management. Overall, it has been a rewarding and enriching experience, and I would highly recommend it to anyone considering distance learning.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my 6 years spent with the OU. The university has mastered the art of online learning, providing comprehensive learning platforms and resources which made the experience both interesting and rewarding. All of the tutors that I have had the pleasure of working with have been personable and supportive, and I have gained far more than just a law degree. The experience has improved my problem solving skills, time management, resolve and more than anything else my confidence. I would highly recommend the OU to anyone who is looking for a challenging yet rewarding journey.

Avoid.

I have been waiting since September 2025 for a pending result and we are in June 2026, they do not care about you. Received no communication apart from one generic email.

I wrote two complaints, one in April 2026. Which they claimed that they would respond within 10 working days and they failed to do that. I had to write another today. They just want your money and do not care about you.

So to summarise. Made me wait 9 months and counting for a result, two months for a complaint that they should have responded to within 10 working days.

Great experience! My tutor was available and helpful. The course was interesting and really fed my curiosity.

I absolutely love this university, the flexibility its grants you is unparalleled, the only down side id say is you have to be disciplined with your time because they wont give you reminders to do your work or help you when things are slow if you can balance uni modules with your personal life, then you will excel substantially in this university, there genuinely are no flaws i can bring besides the lack of constant tutor and teacher support. All in all its a top tier institution and would highly recommend to anyone who wants to get a Higher education qualification whilst maintaining their social and personal life without compromise.

That was a good experience overall, but some things could have been organised differently, mostly during the last two years. There is help, but I felt that it wasn't enough, as some parts of the material were not covered while others were repeated. I will recommend OU as the best option for working people.

Nice spread of tutorials so always able to attend a few. Some lectures/tutors are better than others and those that are good are really really good. I would love a hard copy of the text book which was available when I started the course and was a reason to mitigate the cost as text book were included. Study groups would be good and would help elevate the isolation which is an inherent problem with open university and its online format. That said for anyone working fulltime or having commitments that prevent attendance at a physical University it is a plausible way of getting a degree and perhaps without the distraction of the students union bar some might even say better. Signed up for second year so clear it has its merits. Additionally, I will be travelling for a few months which wont interfer with my course as long as I have internet. As with everything in life Open University has its pluses and minuses but overall it addresses a need for ongoing professional development while progressing your career

The option to attend classes online was perfect for me.

I would to provide some feedback regarding the tutorial recording. Some of the recordings have muted , which makes them difficult to hear and understand. There are also other recordings that are hard to follow for various reasons, including unclear explanations and audio quality issues. As a distance-learning student, I rely heavily on these recordings to support my studies, so clear and accessible recording are very important. I would also like to highlight that Tammy Brown delivers excellent online tutorials. Her sessions are well organised, easy to follow, and very helpful for learning. Thank you for considering this feedback.

Studying with the Open University has been a long 6-year journey, but enjoyable and successful. If you're looking for support throughout your journey, this is where to study. You have the opportunity to work with other students even though the studying is online. I made some very nice friends. My recommendation is to get online and enrol, you really won't regret it.

This has given me freedom to study again and explore learning and I believe the opportunities are there for me to achieve and contribute to society

Prompt replies from tutors, good feedback on assignments with timely turnaround

I have been studying for a second time in order to bring my skill set upto date with current expectations within my industry.
I'm a member of the institute of enginerring and technology. I'm also looking to become proffesionally registered as an incorporated engineer.
I choose to study the bachelor of honours degree Q65. I have found that by adopting a formatted and structured course has benefits over an open degree, such as industry wide accreditation.
I'm a good way off completion, nevertheless, my journey so far has been both challenging and rewarding. I tend to use the written materials and work through the activities without the use of my tutor. However, I will disçuss problems when necessary. I attend most of the tutorials, as they give me confidence that I'm on the right track. One of the biggest challenges is managing my time effeçtively, I just try to use the little and often approach, rather than trying to complete it all in a couple of days.
Since I work part time, I find that many activities clash with my study time, so a bit of self imposed discipline is required.
The module content is well written and provides sufficient examples to support understanding of the materials and methods. Its great to see how what I'm studying is used in the wider context of engineering.
Study should be an enjoyable experience, and though I've studied in the past, at degree level, with the OU, this time around has been more rewarding.
I hope that most of you are enjoying the experience too, I don't consider myself as an academic, but my results suggest otherwise.
When I left school, in 1974, I had little by the way of education. Besides gaining a full apprenticeship early on, I have tried to maintain my employability through work experience, in house training and personal study.
Good luck. Ian

I have had a very positive experience studying with The Open University. The course materials are well structured, easy to follow, and flexible enough to fit around work and family commitments. The tutors have been supportive and responsive whenever I needed help, and the online learning platform is straightforward to use. The university provides excellent opportunities for personal and professional development, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to further their education while studying at their own pace.

One star as had experiences as a student of being treated appaulingly badly, was never resolved. Punishment raquets for questioning things, things swept under the carpet. Some rude staff hiding in the authority of academia who would not get away with what they do in the real world. Ironically the false image of the university is littered with 'let us know' and 'your feedback matters' to us. As overcompensation for being seen in the past as too easy it has become an overcomplicated, long winded and laborious version compared to brick universities who offer the same degree without the song and dance routine

Easy access, helpful tutors, flexible studying

good resources.
helpful
quality

My experience with The Open University has been deeply disappointing. The biggest issue is the level of stress and uncertainty students face throughout the assessment process. The university's review and investigation procedures can take a very long time, leaving students in a state of anxiety without clear timelines or transparent communication.
What I found particularly frustrating was the lack of clear information about the criteria and circumstances under which submitted work may be referred for additional scrutiny. Students are often left unsure about what is expected of them and what might trigger a review. This uncertainty creates significant psychological pressure and makes it difficult to focus on learning.
Instead of encouraging students to stay motivated and engaged, the prolonged review process can reduce confidence and enthusiasm for continuing with studies. The stress associated with waiting for outcomes can also affect the quality of future assignments, as students may become overly cautious, discouraged, or lose motivation altogether.
I believe the university should improve transparency around its assessment policies, provide clearer guidance on review procedures, and ensure that investigations are completed within reasonable timeframes. A more supportive and student-centered approach would help create a healthier learning environment and allow students to focus on their education rather than prolonged uncertainty.

Learning was personalised and tutors are well experienced in promoting good learning.