The Open University Reviews 1,172

This has been the best way for me to get my nursing degree the support is amazing. I would recommend to anyone particularly if they have a busy family life it works amazingly

Very disappointed in the lack of support from tutors, I am studying 3modules, 1 tutor is very good, the other 2 are absent.

Professional

The OU is a great way to learn, especially for adult learners

Once you are enrolled, you are just a number

The Open University spends a fortune marketing itself as flexible, inclusive and student-focused. My experience has shown the opposite.

I had a serious technical issue with an assessment that forms part of my TM257 EMA. The Cisco NetAcad CCNA2 Final Exam only showed questions up to Q19, then sent me straight to the submit/result page. The exam should have had 60 questions, but it recorded my attempt as completed with a score of 30%.

That is not a failed attempt. That is a broken assessment.

I reported the issue, provided screenshots and made clear that the EMA deadline was approaching. I later found that other students had experienced similar problems and that Cisco had acknowledged an issue at their end. Despite this, I was left chasing basic answers while an invalid score sat against my record.

As a disabled student, this has been even more stressful. What concerns me further is that other one-star reviews also raise concerns about disability support, which makes this feel less like an isolated mistake and more like a wider problem with how disabled students are supported when things go wrong.

The most frustrating part is the lack of ownership. You pay the fees, follow the process and meet the deadlines, but when the system fails, no one seems willing to take responsibility.

I have now had to raise a formal complaint just to get a serious assessment issue taken seriously.

Based on this experience, the OU’s support does not match its marketing. Once you are in the system, it feels like you are on your own.

Best decision I ever made studying mental health nursing through the OU!

Like everything else, their fees have increased & textbooks are now online. Yes I live in the 21st century but the long-term effects of sitting at a laptop screen have yet to be fully measured. Otherwise, it's a good way to gain further knowledge & credentials and the standard is very good.

Staff are mostly clueless. Tutors even more so. Tutors work parttime, and they know there is little expected from them - the feedback reflects that, which is usually a one sentence or even a single symbol feedback that amounts to nothing.

I thought it was only my subject, but I spoke to other students and this low level effort is across other subjects.

Just a bottom of the barrel poor university, and the degree isn't even soft enough to wipe yourself with. Employers know this and discard the CVs with OU on it, I know because I spoke to them.

Studying with The Open University has been one of the most challenging but rewarding experiences of my life. I began my BA (Hons) Business Management degree in October 2023 and have just submitted my final assignment, completing the degree after 25 assignments, 8 projects and 2 exams.

The flexibility of the OU allowed me to study around full-time work and life overseas. One of the biggest positives was that most tutorials were recorded, which meant I could study at my own pace despite time zone differences and changing work commitments.

The business modules were often highly practical and relevant to real-world organisational challenges, making the learning experience engaging and valuable throughout the degree.

Like any large institution, my experience was mixed at times. Across six modules, most tutors were supportive and engaging, although I experienced two modules where communication and support felt less consistent. In some earlier modules, separate student groups or support discussions had apparently been created without all students being made aware, which unfortunately limited opportunities for collaboration and shared learning. I only became aware of some of these afterwards.

There were also occasional issues with outdated materials, broken links, or guidance directing students towards external forums such as TGFs for additional support. However, these issues did not outweigh the overall quality of the programme.

Balancing study alongside work pressures, regional instability in the Middle East and personal challenges was not easy at times, but the experience strengthened my resilience, discipline and confidence enormously.

Overall, I would still highly recommend The Open University to mature students and working professionals seeking a flexible and respected route into higher education.

I recently studied and completed the honours in business management achieving a first class honours degree.
The setup was fantastic, from following the weekly module content, to networking with my tutor and fellow students and attending tutorials.
A brilliant experience!
I chose the open university because it offered a different way of learning, one whereby learning could be done at distance whilst offering a closeness that doing it physically at university would have brought.
With a really young family and working full time the open university was perfect because it supported me to study and offered me the opportunity to achieve my ambitions however a lot is self driven so you really have to have the drive, energy and passion to want to see it through.
My four year course has flown by, I am really looking forward to graduating and potentially taking my studies further not before taking a break.
Matt L

Well, in my case, from the very first moment I decided to enroll at the OU, I would say that it was a very easy and accessible process where I immediately felt part of a family of students and teaching professionals who were always very attentive to ensure I felt included and part of the OU. I have successfully completed two modules, and throughout this time, the availability of the teachers has always been very helpful in overcoming the difficulties that arose. In my humble opinion, I would not change much or anything, as it seems to me that it is a successful distance learning formula that has certainly already brought well-deserved recognition. To the professionals at the OU, the teachers, and colleagues/members of the forum, thank you very much. For my part, I will continue as far as I am able as a student, with the certainty that I will always have someone from the OU by my side to help and support me in everything I need. Thank you.

Really love the module content. I find it easy to follow.
To improve I would suggest more continuity with tutor marking as i found over the years some tutors mark fairly but i found some are a little too harsh considering it's only level 1 and 2

Serious delay time on receiving final mark.

The whole experience of studying with the OU had been very good. The learning materials are quite thorough and in-depth. Lecturers are very knowledgeable and experienced. Yes it does what it says on the tin. Highly recommended

Good level of support, academic and administrative.

It is a flexible education system. It helps to study a part of the world.

The Open University has given me the opportunity to study my nursing degree while being at home with my children ☺️

The OPEN UNIVERSITY encourages students in every possible way that they can. They show interest in their Students by giving them feed backs in their assignments showing their weak points so they can do better in their next assignments. The tutors are always available to help students if they need help or if they need to clarify some points. Studying law is not easy. One has to have the mental capacity in order to be able to do so.
I am enjoying the subject but has to put a lot of time to study because the subject is highly comprehensive. I have had some ups and downs during my studies, due to ill health. But l did not allow this to deter me. I continued with my studies.
The staff at the Open University cares, and will offer their best service to their students.

An excellent university. Supportive, approachable tutors and flexible learning to fit around other commitments.

Works well for distance learning, Convenient.