The Open University Reviews 1,218

The OU has a really inclusive and supportive culture. The tutors are really helpful and quick to respond to any academic questions you may have. The online library is simple to navigate and comprehensive. Study skill materials and sessions are available to support your studies. Whilst deadlines are set, study is flexible so that you can choose tutorials that suit your schedule. You can also engage with other students through the online forums and societies. I’m very happy with my OU experience.

I always had an interest in Geology opportunity arose to study with the OU, i really enjoyed i found the tutors to be very supportive, very knowledgeable and happy to help you succeed. The studying can be stressful at times and difficult but nothing like chsllenging yourself. I made lots of new friends and it open so many opportunities. Even a new career which i love. So anyone looking for a new challenge or new career path i highly recommend studying with the OU

I didn't succeed in school for numerous reasons, and The OU gave me the opportunity to study a BSc in Physics, regardless of my background.
I truly believe this institution is special - the number of people, like myself, who didn't succeed the first time around yet still have a passion for a subject, get a chance to pursue their chosen field.

That said, it isn't an easy path. From my experience of the Physics Bsc, you need to be extremely dedicated and willing to do a high amount of self-study to even achieve the recommended level to begin. To aid this, you are given a great selection of materials - the maths textbooks are some of the best I've read and are far more intuitive than some of the most decorated texts in the field.

The tutor support is overall good, but I found some of them to be inconsistent depending on the module. Some tutors would spend extra time helping me with problems, whilst others wouldn't reply to messages for weeks, and this is where the self-drive and willingness to solve a problem had to come into play.

The institution is also very supportive of people from diverse backgrounds. I am dyslexic and was supported very well throughout my undergrad.

My time at The OU will always be special to me - two stand-out memories are when differentiation first clicked and later understanding how the Schrodinger equation uses complex numbers to model the invisible "phase" of a system, which then collapses into real-valued probabilities.
I will be forever grateful to The OU for giving me the opportunity to get a physics BSc and pursue a career in science.
I would advise anyone who is considering studying at The OU to go for it - it's a difficult journey but an incredibly enriching one. If I was able succeed in a Physics undergrad, anyone can!

online teaching is ok but the lack of printed materials to supplement a course is a shortcoming. Also, day schools seems to have been ended. Many lecturers are not full time OU staff most having day jobs.

I felt unsupported. I can only recall one tutor who was engaging throughout my whole time with the OU. I will say however that the flexibility the OU provides around work and study are second to none and I congratulate them on their longevity.

I was very impressed with the online teaching materials and the very high calibre of knowledgeable tutors and staff during my two year fascinating challenge to secure an MA in History. I specialized in the Early Modern period 1500-1800, which I found truly marvellous, over 2023-2025. Many thanks to all tutors and staff.

I started my study over 10 years ago and I have reached my goal of a BSc.
I couldn't have done it in three years but the opportunity to spread it over 10 or so years was ideal for me.

Got a first class in my undergraduate degree because feedback from lecturers were good, very excellent online and book resources, great lecturers, great library.

Excellent support and advice. Always available for questions and ready with the best solutions.

Studied for my Masters with the OU. Took 3 years as I also work. Would recommend.
Looking forward to my graduation.

Having just successfully completed a taught Masters degree I would gladly recommend the Open University for good quality, distance learning. The tutors were always on hand to answer questions, the pace and structure of the course was flexible and the guidance clear. Some of the resources included in the content were slightly outdated, but it was the last year that my course was running.

The learning journey with Open University was really good. Website, very easy to navigate, all learning content was really well wrote, and understandable. Everything that you need to learn is there. Never had any problem.
I have spent bit more time on learning then it was said, but that was because English is my second language. But it was definitely worth it, and I loved it.
I am thinking to sign up for another level, when i save some money, to do so.

Just mentioning that i have done it, with the full time work, so if you think about it, but you scared or not sure, trust me. You can do it.

October 2020 was a bleak time during initial stages of covid 19. I kept seeing OU advertised on tv, so took the chance to learn more.

Ideal for online learning and in some cases meet at the London School of Economics.

I choose the business management course and accounting. I have studied and worked in accounting since 2001. But I need something else, 2020 gave me the option. Business Management has shown me away of fulfilling my goals: showing my interests in a company, what's its organisational chart, its structure, its strategic analysis, you need to know as much about the company, what are its strengths and weaknesses, has it made a profit. What is its pitch for marketing. Wanting to be a senior in a business you need to see an overview of an organisation. The OU gives you the tools for the experience, you need. I have 50% of the tools for accounting and now another 50% for Business management and shall put this to practice. I have only mentioned some concepts of subject, Investors, Governance, shareholders and more. Know your business and its benefits and drawbacks.

Being part of the OU family has given me a branch to reach out on, goals to achieve. You must study your subject and its understanding. My Tutors helped me to grasp concepts, and wherever I was lacking, to take on board what they are talking about. I always asked them, through OU emails or live recordings. What you put into your studies and what you get out of it. Future students this is a great subject to see businesses into the way they work. Technology keeps updating with new AI that you will need to know.

Very grateful to the OU to help my career goals. Your studies around your work and leisure is up to you. Go for it!

I passed through the OU (6 yrs, STEM) almost in parallel with my kids in full time UK University. I believe I got at least as good an educational experience as they got. I was able to run my business (though I did have to scale down) and study due to the flexibility. I’m moving on to my masters now (elsewhere), a lifetime ambition for me (I’m 70 now!).

My deepest gratitude for the incredible support I received during my time studying with you. Achieving my degree is something I am immensely proud of, and I truly could not have done it without the guidance, understanding, and encouragement from the university.

Your support went far beyond academics. During my studies, I was given the encouragement and confidence I had long been lacking. With that support, I was able to seek assessment for dyslexia and address other mental health challenges. Taking that step changed my life. Through therapy and proper support, I found the strength to continue and ultimately complete my degree.

The lecturers were exceptional, and I am especially grateful to my first-year teachers, particularly Anne Pike. Your kindness, patience, and belief in me made a lasting difference at a time when I needed it most.

Thank you, truly, for creating an environment where students are supported not only academically, but personally. The impact you have had on my life goes far beyond my degree.

Brilliant University for older adult. They provide all necessary support required to get people across the line.

Excellent tuiti9on

After I developed a disability, my career panned and the choices of employment were limited.

Thanks to the OU degree course, I started a job in my chosen profession next week.

I can honestly say, the OU has given me a chance of a longer and happier working life. The only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.

The course has opened my mind to infinite possibilities. The content is intersting and varied. You just have to decide what you want from life. When you decide, go for it!

studying law was a fantastic experience. A heavy workload but such a marvellous education with insights into European democracy, Constitutional law , Criminal law and Land Law.The Course was contemporary with a Society and Culture model examining how dictators come to power using the law. And also available a futuristic option to explore space law . Just a fascinating course throughout. You exit with some top rate problem solving skills and logic.

Tutors are rarely available, not qualified in the subjects they are teaching, just doing it for a bit of extra cash in retirement or as a side-job. Not interested in teaching, utterly unhelpful. No lectures (not even pre-recorded ones), nobody to ask anything that requires actual subject knowledge. Assignments are a shambles, tutors do not know what's actually expected in terms of content. Different lecturers will have completely different takes on how to interpret the assignment question. Vastly different, highly subjective grading between lecturers. Pot luck whether you do well or not. I got a First but was no wiser at the end of the course than I had been at the beginning, absolute waste of time, learnt nothing.