Just wondering if anyone has any good/bad experiences.  I am about to sign up for an accounts course, which costs £2K so any info welcome.

Cheers.

Ive never used the open university, im currently doing a full time degree so cant really advise on what its like. But you will need a LOT of motivation to make yourself do the work if you don't actually have to go in and do it. Something i know i couldn't do..... why doesn't somebody sell motivation in a bottle, they would make a fortune!

I don't know about the business courses, but I've enjoyed studying with the OU and hope to return shortly to complete my degree....

I'm currently working towards a degree in Childhood & Youth Studies with the OU.  I don't have any experience with the Business Faculty.

What I do know is that it would be worth visiting your Regional Office and talking to one of the advisors there as they are very knowledgable and you will be able to look over all the course material.

I have had mixed experiences with tutors who don't actually get to know you that well during the limited tutorial time (if you even go at all) and therefore don't take anything into account other than the words you write which can be hard when you ask for help and they don't know where you are coming from in the same way as someone who knows you personally would.

OU has been good for me, it's been the only way I have been able to study due to other commitments although at times I have been tearing my hair out with frustration.  Often it's down to the tutor you have who can be brilliant or frustrating to work with, but the same in any other walk of life I am sure.

Feel free to send me a pm if you want any more info.

Good luck.

If you aren't doing the course just for enjoyment, I would check up that the qualification will be of use/recognised in your future career. While some employers are happy to recognise OU qualifications, others are not so happy with them :(

Daisy

Hi,
I have just dropped out of a course I was studying due to a lack of motivation and the isolation of studying alone and not being able to bounce ideas off anyone.  I have a degree and a post-grad from 'normal' uni and wanted to upgrade my qualifications a bit more but found the isolation quite hard - maybe because I went in to the course in the final year so most people had friends and study groups but no-one lived near me so I couldn't meet up with any of them to compare ideas etc.  I know I can't afford to go back to uni full time so will have to use the OU but the pressures of work and outside life aren't really taken into consideration by tutors who see you maybe once a month and essay deadlines are quite strict - I was due one essay/report a month plus lots of additional reading, a residential summer school and exams.  It seemed like a good idea at the time but in reality was not all I expected - although I probably will try again in the future once my life has calmed down a bit.  the final hardship for me was losing the £800 I paid for the course.

Thanks for the replies.

I have a degree from uni already and would be doing this just to assist in my career.  Just worried that there seems to be a high drop out rate from open uni.  Guess that is all down to personal motivation, and we all know that can go out of the window....

Will pop along to the local centre and have a look at the course papers as suggested.

I did my degree with the OU - the flexibility suited me, but it can be lonely and isolated, and also you do need a very supportive OH/family, as you have to withdraw from family life when deadlines loom - but I suppose that would be the case even with a conventional course, come to think of it. I did have friends & support on the first part of my degree - French Diploma - but not on the subsequent courses. There is also the issue of sometimes having to travel considerable distances to tutorials, although these are not compulsory. e.g on my final course all the tutorials were in Nottingham, which is about 60 miles from my home in Northampton! However, some courses now offer video conferencing, so it does depend on which course you've chosen.
Best wishes for the course,
Cathy.
PS the other problem - withdrawal symptoms when you finish!!!!! but you can't go on forever......

I did a degree with OU well over 10years ago now.  It took me six years.  It was worth it as it has given me a new career and more opportunities.  It was hard work, I really became a social recluse for most of those 6 years.  It was my only way of studying then with 3 young children, and you do have to discipline yourself, there were many times when I really just wanted to curl up with a good book, or watch telly.  I loved October to Feb when I was free of studying.  But definitely worth it. 
Lorna

I am concerned how I am going to fit it into my hectic life..Emmerdale, Corrie, etc..  LOL
Thank god for Sky+

Oh I totally agree with Cathy about the withdrawal symptoms, it gets very addictive.  I made the decision to have a break this year but as the start date for courses loomed and all my 'study buddies' were enthusing about their new material, I felt very left out and so signed up again at the last minute.  I haven't regretted it, it's a perfect excuse to sit in the garden with a book on a sunny day leaving the housework to fester!

Also, they do give you an indication as to how much time you need to set aside for your work but that isn't always realistic.  If you are used to studying, can read and absorb quickly and are switched on about your subject, you can do it within a much shorter 'weekly allowance'.  Not always, but sometimes.  As a single mum who works full time, 15hrs+ per week is not always realistic but I do still manage.  That's not to say I don't burn the candle at both ends during revision & exams!

PS Champdogs provides a wonderful excuse to NOT do work let alone E-Enders, ER, Big Brother, etc!