More than 1 in 5 of students pack in uni for a whole host of reasons including worries about debt, disillusionment with uni life or homesickness.
But who says you have to give up on your degree, just because uni isn’t for you? Why not join the thousands of students like Charlotte Webdale, 23, who are choosing to do things the OU way.
“I was able to count my previous study towards my OU degree. It was very quick and easy.”
More support than anywhere else
With one to one support only a phone call or email away, Charlotte never felt isolated. What’s more, with over 25,000 students under 25 years old the Open University offered a vibrant community of younger students.
“There’s so much help available, which is brilliant because when you start home study you don’t know if you’re going to be able to handle it. My tutor was fantastic; I was in regular contact with her by phone and email. The chat rooms and online community were also really helpful. I never felt that I was on my own.”
Top qualifications
She discovered that not only do employers nationwide value the quality of OU qualifications; they also value the commitment that it takes to achieve them outside of traditional university life.
“Employers know that you’ve had to manage your own time and juggle other commitments to fit your study in. It shows real discipline and organisation.
I wouldn’t be training to be a paramedic now without my OU degree and I’m going to be studying at the OU again which is great!”
Fit study around your family, friends and job
The Open University’s supported ‘Open Learning’ method of study perfectly suited Charlotte because it meant she didn’t have to give up other things that were important to her, like getting her career started.
“Before starting my OU degree I worked part time at a local adventure park. It was important to me to find a uni course that would let me carry on working at the same time and the OU did. It’s a brilliant alternative.”
10 quick facts about The Open University
- The OU offers over 200 qualifications including named degrees and the popular Open degree.
- No student debt – for many, it provides a debt-free way to getting a degree, if you are living with your parents, financial support is assessed on your own income, not parental income.
- Credibility with employers – some qualifications are linked to industry professional bodies. 2/3rds of the FTSE 100 companies have sponsored staff on OU courses.
- Employability of OU graduates – more than 80% of OU students are employed within 6 months of graduating.
- Support – there is a range of support for students online, face to face and by phone from tutors, study advisors and other students.
- Flexibility of study – students can earn as they learn, and study at their own pace. This means you can achieve a degree at the same time as building up work experience.
- High levels of student satisfaction – The OU has been ranked in the top two by the National Student Survey since the survey began in 2005.
- Sense of community – The OU has a lively student community and is the most popular UK University on Facebook.
- A popular university – increasing numbers of younger people are choosing to study with The OU rather than campus universities. Last year, over 25,000 students were under 25.
- Leading multi-media technology – The OU uses high end and popular technology such as iPods to deliver courses. It is one of the few UK universities to have its own YouTube channel and materials on iTunesU.
Find out more
If you’re unhappy at your current uni and would like to find out more about the alternatives offered by the Open University, give us a call today on 0845 366 6054.
