The Open University luton

Fantastic place, green and open air, and aesthetically very good, and a no pollution, and a ample facility for learning

Excellent university! After having been to a few brick universities where the support was limited or non-existent (particularly if you had health problems), I can honestly say that the Open University are great for student support. Even though it's distance learning, there are regular face-face and online tutorials and a helpful student support team. Tutors are available via email and/or phone and very supportive and understanding. Sometimes, there's a bit of a delay with tutors replying to emails, but no more of a delay than you'd expect at a brick uni,where you often need to make appointments to see staff. The materials are first class and contemporary, in fact brick unis use The Open University's materials! I have been studying here for 4 years (2nd year , part time) and I'm looking forward to graduating with my BSc in Psychology in 2 years time.

I've never been to the open university campus site, though I'll still speak well of the premises all the same. Anything to do with precise education will always be an active appraisal to me, I'm a dysgraphic, dyslexia and dyscalculic sufferer, therefore I'm perpetually on my computer or iPhone learning reading and writing lessons all the time. I've got a permanent mental disability which affects my social life and industrial life. I'm highly glad to experience newer educational technology introduced into public society, specifically for people like my self who rapidly need every iota of assistance actively available. I definitely want to see education very rapidly advancing now and in the future, obviously, I'm going to need it. I'll be eventually going into residential home care in Central Birmingham, it's exactly what I'll be looking forward to. Thanks for reading this.

Having been to a brick university before I can honestly say that studying with the Open University has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. The course materials are second to none and the O.U are flexible enough that if life gets in the way as it inevitably does, there are always options. The weekly planner divides the course up into manageable chunks and gives you a good idea of whether you're staying on track. Considering you have an average of 6-7 months to complete a module, the amount of information you take on is extraordinary and can be overwhelming but when you look back and realise what you have achieved, it's a feeling like no other. A word of warning though, be prepared to sacrifice your social life. The O.U can only give you what you're prepared to put in and sometimes you will have to prioritise studies over other more pleasurable activities but the rewards are worth it. The O.U are supportive, but we are adults, do not expect to have your hand held throughout the whole course, especially beyond your first year. Tutors are there for support, but do not expect them to be at your beck and call, the majority of them have other jobs and cannot always be there straight away. Do your research into each module, if you don't realise you have an exam at the end of your module, it will be because you didn't read the description, not because the O.U don't communicate. The only reason the O.U has a reputation for being harder than brick uni is because you have to juggle work, kids, partners etc. The marking system is the same. Don't expect to sail through, it will be challenging. Pay attention to your tutor's feedback, it is the only way you will improve a grade, and when it comes to second and third years, don't just rely on the given course material, be prepared to read wider and work harder! Like most things, the O.U will only give back what you give in, and what you give will pay dividends!

Communication - PLEASE! I wanted information about an Institute of Physics lecture at the Berrill Theatre, Milton Keynes and couldn't find it on the OU Website. The page which seemed promising led to a Page Error. I then Googled a phone number and saw the Milton Keynes address with, guess what - the Manchester phone number (but it was an 0300 number so I had no idea it was Manchester) The person in Manchester couldn't find anything about Institute of Physics lectures in Milton Keynes but after much cajoling he eventually found that there is one on 11th June. I am disabled and needed to know whether there is wheelchair access to the Berrill Theatre and could find no information regarding wheelchair access on the OU website. The Manchester person gave me a Milton Keynes phone number and the person who answered this time was most helpful. I find it incredible that the Open University (a bastion of knowledge?) can't even link a Milton Keynes address with a Milton Keynes phone number. I question their educational validity!

If you have learning difficulties, stay well away from them, overpriced, little support and made to feel totally worthless. Waiting years to post this review as it hit me so badly. Please, don't make my mistake, find a better option, a university that wants to help you.

So far so good. At the moment I am happy with the programme and the environment. Couldn’t give more details as I am fairly new however this university is perfect for someone who wants to work full time and study full time. They have great courses. They sent me books as well.

You would think that a fully online university would offer a bit of flexibility. Why no late registration for a fully online degree? I was 5 days late and none of the 10+ people I spoke to would accommodate me, even though it isn't even full and still 3 weeks till the start date. They're also not allowing me to study full-time. It is understandable for my first semester given that my first two modules don't start at the same time. But now I'm also not allowed to study my 2nd and 3rd simultaneously even though they do start at the same time. Why? I am feeling more and more like I am being held back at every corner by strict, unreasonable rules and inflexibility

I went for my booster. Tks to the staff and Mcmillan staff for their help

I began my studies in 2016 and graduated this year. I found OU studies flexible and worked well around working full time and other commitments. It wasn't an easy experience by any stretch of the imagination, and took a lot of planning and commitment. However most tutors were very helpful and gave constructive feedback, the textbooks were provided and online resources were great. Any set texts I had to buy (for English Literature mpdules) were found easily for discounted prices online. I would recommend the OU to anyone wanting to study for a degree while juggling other life commitments.