History (W66) - DipHE

Open University

Overall I loved my experience with the OU. It's not easy and there will always be those who make comments about the OU 'not being a real uni', but the joke's on them - I've graduated with a First Class degree after 5 years of hard work and dedication, and I'm now in the job I've dreamed of for years. If you're thinking about the OU, go for it!

I adore the Open University. I left college with AS levels because at that time I didn’t find it very interesting and I wanted to be working. I like the Open University because I’m fairly intelligent and can do a degree but didn’t have to have the previous qualifications to show that. As mentioned, you gain very good skills with the Open University as it takes more discipline to study distance learning. For myself, I want to do my Masters at a traditional University via distance learning and part of the application is showing you have the skills to do so. Learning to do this full time and work 37 hours a week has if anything made my skills seem that more impressive as many people wouldn’t consider doing both. The recommended time for full time study is 37 hours a week but I’ve never found it takes that long- maybe 6 hours for a week with all activities? Different people study differently however but I’ve still managed firsts so all is well. I love the OU and all it offers, with all the staff being brilliant.