The Open University Reviews 1,218

The balance between autonomous and directed learning worked for me -- it encouraged me to use the excellent lectures as a base for my own exploration while, simultaneously, to create the weekly images for the course.
As a beginner, I found that the feedback of other students and also their own images re-inforced the weekly experience. Although it is completely understandable that it would be extremely difficult to receive direct feedback from the tutors, I wonder whether some element of this could be woven into the course. The additional forum sites were excellent and very useful - very easy to follow and the administration superb. Overall, I not only enjoyed this course enormously but also very greatly benefitted from it in so many ways.

I am extremely frustrated and disappointed with how my situation has been handled by the Open University.

I withdrew from my course on 27 February and, according to their own terms and conditions, I should have received a full refund (over £4,000) within 30 days. That timeframe has long passed, and I am still waiting.

Since then, I have had to repeatedly chase for updates, sending multiple emails and providing all requested information. Communication has been poor and inconsistent. At one point I was told there was an issue due to a change in my card details, yet no one contacted me to resolve this at the time, which could have been done quickly.

Despite setting a clear deadline for the refund to be processed, I have received no meaningful response and no resolution.

It is extremely concerning that an organisation of this size can hold such a significant amount of money for this long without proper communication or accountability.

I have now had to escalate this as a formal complaint and begin a chargeback process through my bank.

Overall, this experience has been stressful, time-consuming, and completely unacceptable. I expected far better.

I have studied with the OU on there free courses multiple times and always enjoyed and found value in them.

So after my psychology diploma I decided to study my degree part time with the OU, as I thought it would fit perfectly in with my very busy caring lifestyle.

However, my caring role has become more demanding over the last few months and I wanted to bank my qualification and come back to it at some point as this was an option offered to me.

Unfortunatley I have had such a negative experience since as a disabled student trying to find help and support.

I have felt like the support is not person centred and I have really struggled trying to find the best option for me.

I have spoken with different people who have told me I am liable for half of the amount of my course as I only had two modules left, but need to go onto my homepage to source links to finalise my choice. After logging on to find links and finding them unavailable I reached out to the student support, then to be told I am liable for the full cost as I logged onto my homepage recently.

I was then told that if I wanted to bank the modules I had already passed and come back at a latet date, I would have to pay the full cost of the course for a second time.

I feel like I am being penalised for a situation that at the moment I cannot control and I think everyone needs to be fully aware of my experience.

As promised received booked call on 7th April 20026. Spoke to John from student support department as was struggling with studies as well as juggling work and carer for son and health issues. Like to thank John absolutely fantastic. Discussing my physical and mental well being and further discussions on studies and advising me various options for my final year degree. Feel so relieved and glad I reached out for help best support ever

I am now able to plan and prepare for studies for October 2026. John will be calling me again but a big thank you John really appreciate all the help. Precise and clear and very understanding excellent

Irene

I was very pleased with OU and RPS Digital course, I have been a Photography for many years. Have lots of experience in Analogue photography, and had outdated Digital camera which i used to use on holidays. However after completing the 10 week course to upgrade my Digital camera and Lens. due to releasing its limitation. I am much more confident since taking the course in the technical and understanding of Digital Photography. I did really like the assignments every week it made you go and take photographs using everything you had learnt that week.

I completed a Bachelor's degree at the OU in online part-time study and received excellent support concerning health related adjustments I needed.
I can unreservedly and fully recommend the OU as an excellent place to study for a full-time worker with a busy work life schedule!
Thank you!

Well organised, structured, easy to follow, great tutors and cohort

Open uni are fine, the open college of arts are really bad. Shockingly bad.

I have just finished a 2 year MA in Art History with the OU, and attended Graduation last weekend. I can honestly say that it was a brilliant experience from start to finish. Having always loved art, I had the opportunity to take a break for studying, and chose a Masters degree in a subject which I enjoyed but had never studied. Year one was incredibly tough, but the course notes, tutorial support, and essay feedback are brilliant. I found year two a little easier, simply because I knew better what was expected, and had learned how to construct essays and carry out research better. It was a wonderful experience, and I feel very happy to be part of the OU community. It is a great institution.

Well laid out course material. Good weekly pace and well explained

Good learning materials and a brilliant, kind, supportive and accessible tutor.

I completed an access course in 2025 and thoroughly enjoyed it.
I passed, I am now looking forward to studying for my dream degree in October on a part time (over 6 years)
basis, dreams really do come true.
Im disabled so the open University is ideal as i can study from home.

From the start, I have been treated with respect. Whilst my degree journey is as a very late starter, my experience of the OU has been invariably positive. The materials,both online and printed, are clear and informative. As I move on to the next stage of my studies, I'm happy that the support available from Student Home will help me realise my goals.

Hi, what I like about the OU is that there is guidance all the way through the studies, either through student support or through a tutor, who are always willing to help with any problem that manifests. Students are able to ask for help if they lack understanding of an assignment, and the feedback is not only constructive, it is always very positive. Thank you OU!!

Been with the Open University for two years. The first year was excellent, and I was very well supported. This academic year, however, is a different story. As a disabled student needing additional support, I was not provided with it at the start of my course, which caused delays in successfully starting the course module.
The tutor for my course was generally crass, abrupt, and unsupportive from the start. The most embarrassing and disrespectful thing the tutor did was to embarrass me in a recorded session. The tutor also forgot to attend her own tutor group session!
Some learning materials are not easy to comprehend and my response from my tutor was to look up videos on Youtube than to offer support herself or other areas of the Open University website

Fantastic ! Really loved studying here and my tutor Helen was the best, very helpful and kind

After paying so much for a course from the Open University I would have expected some actual interaction from the course staff. I would say tutor, but there wasn’t one. The only feedback you get for the whole course is IF your fellow students choose to provide it. Most of the help and advice given also comes
From your fellow students.

I have also done courses provided by Cornwall Adult Education and they were cheaper, had a tutor to help guide and advise when needed.

If this course is an example of University education then I will not be back.

I had an excellent experience with The Open University, they made every effort, at their own expense, to accommodate my mobility and mental health issues. They provide a quality service that can't be beaten. I would recommend OU to anyone who would like to study. (It was longer ago than 2025 but the calender would only go back that far).

Extemly helpfull. Great bunvh of people.