The Open University Reviews 1,220

Ive been with the open university for almost 2 years i think roughly give or take, at first i thought it was ok but then i realised because of the lack of support it started to take a toll on my mental health. They just cancelled my module apparently because i forgot to reapply for my last module which i did, as im not use to school stuff as a mature student. Ive basically finished my final module that they have cancelled but now they are asking for a full years tuition fee and student finance and myself are confused to what they are talking about as student finance has already paid them for a 3rd of the year anyway. I was about to leave anyway as you cant even get maintenance loan when your with these guys, i wouldn't recommend anyone go here just go to a brick and water university to save yourself stress and the support YOU WILL NEED.

I studied for my bachelor of laws degree with honours here over 4 years.
Excellent level of learning and support available.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time studying with The Open University and would highly recommend anyone who wants to learn but maybe doesn't have an opportunity to go to a physical on site campus.

I am a Young Applicant. To pay my tuition fees, I need to give them my details via a phone call. It's been 3 days I am calling - totaling over 3 hours of international calls and no one picks. Response to emails is snailish. Unsure what to do as there is no option to chat with the uni.

The couriers refuse to deliver to my door despite asking them not to leave the parcels in reception.

Achieved a first class honours studying with the OU. All while working full time - the flexibility is great. The tutors I had over 6 years (except 1) were all fabulous. The module materials are easy to navigate. You can attend in person or do your tutorials online. Better than going to a traditional university in my opinion.

I started in 2018 and finished in 2025, it was a hugely rewarding experience as my academic confidence prior was low due to struggling at high school.

The first set of modules helped build confidence.
It was difficult dealing with my moods as my enthusiasm would vary there were a few times I wanted to give in and dropout of some modules, but deep down I knew this would be even more damaging to my confidence.

Despite the positivity issues along the way I managed to get there in the end and complete my degree in Cybersecurity with a 2:1 .

The Open University provide a massive amount of support for various problems on their website.
The courses I took were written to a very high standard and done really well, this level of quality definitely helped inspire me to attempt my TMAs and EMAs using it as a benchmark.

Awfully bad website and study login, applying is a minefield, trying to get support with anything is impossible. I withdraw from my course before it started as it was too much of a nitemare getting support with things. Would rather go to a physical uni

Studying at a genuine university that isn't online is preferable to studying with the OU, in my opinion. The OU has tutors that are insufficiently supportive, and your work will be worthless and unsuccessfully graded as a result of their lack of ongoing assistance and their unfair overall grading of the work that is turned in. This is a total waste of time, money, and effort, before enrolling, it's a good idea to read the reviews of a specific university, instead of squandering money.

Studying at my own pace while working has been an exciting experience. The Open University's tutors, support staff, advisors, student forum, and open studio created a supportive online learning environment. I appreciate the Open University's constant innovation, especially during my final year. I would choose it a thousands time again if I have to.

The teachers are amazing at the open university, intelligent and supportive.
I have been trying to complete a degree in Computing and IT because I couldn’t make money to live I couldn’t get a job. Then I ran out of money and my laptop needs updating so it’s on hold for a while - but with the help of my teachers I managed to get a certificate of higher education in Computing and IT. I hope to finish the degree one day and maybe be able to earn a living
Thank you to the open university teachers

It was a long journey, but one that ended in 1st Class honours - thank you OU!

It has been a few years since I graduated but I thought I would describe my experience and the benefits from studying at the OU.

I started studying a BSc(Computer Science) in 2012, my aim was to improve my career outlook and get a career working in IT, I had always been interested in IT and was the typical go-to guy in the family for anything with an electronic pulse but getting into the work force without any qualifications and poor GCSE's I never really got anywhere.

The first couple of years were great, a solid balance between ICT and training into working and writing at a university level and the first 2 years of courses did this perfectly, enough technical teaching to keep you engaged but also a strong focus on writing, reports, research etc.

Around 2015, I began seriously applying for IT jobs and managed to secure a contract role within the NHS, I am fully of the opinion that because I had "Studying BSc(Computer Science)" on my CV that it helped because the interview for my first role in IT and all subsequent ones all asked questions about it.

2016, working in a perm role at a private school as a 1st/2nd line technician, I was doing the CCNA Cisco modules so computer networking was very much on my mind, we had some issues at the school I worked at and the seniors above me didn't have the skills to resolve some network issues, I used the knowledge I was learning and was able to resolve all of these issues, this then lead to me getting more and more network relating tasks which ultimate lead to me leaving in 2017 to begin working as a Network Engineer at a new job (Lotus Cars).

I continued studying and learned how to program in Java and due to changes returned to the NHS where I started my IT Career as a 3rd line (Infrastructure) technician.

I spent 7 years doing this role, learning the ropes and improving my own knowledge whilst using the skills I learned in Java to build PowerShell and C# applications (which I would have never been able to do without the Open Uni Java courses).

About 2 months ago, I was promoted to Digital Developer, and I now currently work fulltime as a C# programmer for the NHS.

I without a doubt credit the open university for teaching me all the skills I needed to succeed, my only regret is that I struggled to stay interested in some modules, but this is no fault of the OU, however, I still finished in 2022 with a BSc Open.

ANYONE who is looking at the OU as a route to better their career options, I strongly recommend it, just make sure you research the field you want to move into, what the entry level points are and then find a course that covers all/most of the skills required and I am sure you will do well, it’s not all about "the bit of paper" at the end but skills you learn should build a solid foundation that can be practically applied, that doesn't mean each course will give you a "how to win" at the end, but it should introduce you to the concepts well enough that you can then manipulate your knowledge to match your needs and do well.

The OU is giving me a chance nobody else was willing to give: to get a BSc while working and caring for my child.
There are some rough spots, but overall I'm so happy that they're helping me.

Studying with the OU has been both challenging and rewarding. I've accomplished things I never thought I would and I'm only half way through me degree. I can fit it around the rest of my life and its given me the opportunity to learn things about myself I probably never would have otherwise.

I started with the OU around 15 years ago and it was great! Helpful responsive tutors and good communication. Nowadays it’s just a bit pants to be honest. Tutors are hit or miss (generally miss in my experience) and emails vanish into a black hole. Good luck if you ever try to ring them and be prepared for a looooooooong wait.

Excellent, relevent and very intetesting module materials. Great support from university staff and tutors. Study in your own time at your own pace, so long as you keep up with the well planned study calander.

5 STARS for the 'Open University'! Thank you very much for the invaluable tutoring and support throughout the six years part-time studies and for achieving a successful Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Environmental Management and Technology degree!

I had a ten year gap between studying at the OU and the difference is striking. Ten years ago the tutors were excellent and engaged, marked work correctly and on time and really gave a more engaged and flexible experience than the brick university experiences I had had. I have come back and am in my second (and last) course - two different subjects but both have the same problems. I can't believe the number of incorrect markings I've been given that I have had to question, only to find my original answers in the assignment were correct and they have miscorrected me. It has been confusing, concerning and disappointing. Most tutors don't know what course you're on, assignments are returned way past the 10 day turnaround with no empathy or apology given and its very clear that it now feels like students are part of a side hustle that tutors have. Either that or they're all incredibly overworked. The quality of marking and engagement has dramatically decreased. Tutors also no longer respond to messages - often at all. One of the faculties never responded to an issue I had that they needed to address and the tutor had to respond instead (which they are not supposed to do). With the 10 year gap it has been like studying at two different universities. I used to love and support the OU and had planned to do my post graduate studies there. After my experiences currently and in the last module and the large number of comments and reviews on forums and online generally with people having the same experience, I have decided to do my post graduate and all future study at brick universities and will no longer be recommending it to others. Prices are almost in line with brick universities also, which makes it worse. The decline of a wonderful institution I'm afraid. I can only speak for the two faculties/subjects I'm involved with of course but I am seeing the same problems again and again in discussions online, that line up with my own experiences.
Note: I am not providing my details to the OU's request for further information as I am still finishing off my final module and will not be studying here in future.

I really liked how flexible most things were, with the ability to choose part or full time each year and how much study was done each week. Being able to do a whole degree online and not have to go to anything in person if you don't want to was really nice! Most of my tutors were really helpful and available most of the time to talk things through with, and I think the other support provided by the OU team is beneficial too.

I love studying with the OU. The materials you are sent are of great quality. A lot of work goes into the online learning modules. While working full time I can still achieve my study goals. There is lots of different interactions going on every day. You are allocated a tutor who is the main contact throughout your course as well as other student association contacts