The Open University offers wonderful distance-learning degree programs for those who are eager to earn a certificate, diploma, or higher-education degree in a unique setting - your home! Sure, it requires a bit more discipline; but, if you're looking for flexibility this is where you'll find it. Degree programs include modules that are structured with week-by-week study obectives, online tutorials, face-to-face day schools, paperless resources, convenient on-the-go apps, student forums, and even some free learning tools. As for the campus in England, it's located on some lovely grounds for those who are able to visit or actually attend courses there. But, for those who are remote (including Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, etc.), your degree is obtainable with a simple point and click... Alright, it's not THAT simple, you gotta hit the books too peeps! It's never too late to go back to school! Pencils down... read more

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Probably the best distance-learning University in the world! You can study at your own pace and complete the modules you need to earn your degree. Those with a disability always praise the high level of support they get. You can study a massive variety of subjects on modules and combine them into qualifications. The OU changed my life for the better. read more

The Open University is a distance-learning university, and one which ranks excellently in all the official tables for teaching, course structure, research, student satisfaction etc, in tables such as the Times University League and the Guardian's University Rankings. They offer a variety of courses, at all levels from 10-point short courses, to 15-point summer school courses, and 30-point or 60-point full courses at every undergratuate level (levels 1, 2 and 3) and postgraduate (level 5). As a comparison, a full time student at a conventional university would study 120 points a year for 3 years, so 360 points in total. It's possible to achieve the same with the OU, by choosing 2 60-point courses every year for 3 years, although this would be difficult as OU study demands a lot more work than conventional university, in my experience. That said, there's also not the same distractions in the way of nightlife with the OU. OU courses are structured perfectly. When you embark on your chosen course, you'll receive your course materials by post, along with a planner, which tells you what you should be doing in Week 1, Week 2, etc. There will be reading textbooks, listening to audio, watching episodes on a dvd, and possibly some work on FirstClass, the OU's online interface. There's a wealth of information to get through and a 60-point course will take at least 20 hours a week of dedicated study. Periodically, there's assignments to be handed in, called TMA (tutor marked assignments) in OU terminology. For these, there may or may not be tutorials held in local colleges and universities, and contact details for the tutor are given for anyone that might need extra help or support. At the end of the course there's an exam. The only negative of studying with the OU, in my experience, is the lack of access to an official academic library, although provisions are made so that students can visit local unversity libraries. There's also the social life, although that could be a blessing. read more

I use the open university library every week and I must say it is fantastic. I am not a member of the OU, but because I go to a different university and/or am a member of the Milton Keynes libraries, I can just sign in at the door and spend the day here. They have free wireless internet (you must sign up at the desk) and a wide selection of books. There are plenty of tables to study at and they all have two power points and a lamp for when it gets dark. There is free parking and plenty of it and best of all it opens much later than the CMK library. This is a great place to study and easy to get to. read more

I've taken three classes with the Open University over the last several years. I was sold on the prospect of a real, accredited University, offering solid online courses, from which I could transfer credits to other accredited Universities. Having insomnia makes online courses quite attractive to me. But this place turned out to be more akin to a money pit delivering second-rate education, as I sadly discovered. They ship you bare-minimum learning resources, which suffice to pass the tests, but fall far short of providing a real education on the subject matter. They take, on average, two weeks to respond to any concern of any kind. And sometimes they don't respond at all. There seems to be a bare-bones staff present at all times, and I've heard complaints from staff that they are overworked and underpaid, compared to staff at other Universities. There are lots of hidden tripwires designed, as best I can figure, to ensnare students to tack on hidden fees. For example, in the latest class I took, there was an exam at the very end. But this required a second, separate registration, which had to be completed several months prior to the actual exam. And if you miss that deadline? You have to wait an entire year, re-register with the same class, and then register the exam on time. And for this, they are gracious enough to give you a 90% discount on the class for the second go-around. All because you didn't sign up to take a test in a class which you already paid and signed up for. Another example: mid-way through my first class, something in my personal life prevented me from finishing the class, and I made several inquiries about whether I had the option to finish the class at a later date. Every response was a no. But later I found out that there was indeed an option to defer my class, with a 60% discount (since I had completed roughly 60% of the course). So instead of pointing out the option thus potentially saving me a huge amount of money and time and work, they instead effectively shrugged at me saying "We sympathize with your personal problems, but we have nothing for you." This one is partially my fault, because stuck away 2/3 of the way down a 100 page-long terms&conditions form, the option for deferring classes was listed. But they must have known it was an option. How could they not? In conclusion: save your money. In this day and age, there are a variety of accredited online programs. I recommend staying away from this one. read more

I worked here for several years and even when I left came back regularly to use the library for study. A lovely environment to work in with free wireless internet access and good opening hours. There is a cafe, restaurant and bar on the campus so spending the day there is not a problem :) My only issue is parking as there are not many visitor spaces and if you arrive after 9am it can be hard to park. read more

The Open University is AWESOME. No other word to describe it. It offers so many courses, from short courses that last a few weeks, to postgraduate courses. I have done one course to enable me to return to Uni to do midwifery,and have decided to do another whilst I wait to hear if I have a place. It's great. There are various grants etc on offer for those who have financial difficulties, and the study support is brilliant. There are tutorials you can attend, and an online forum to discuss things with your tutor and peers. Its such a great way to study. read more