I'm interested in people's views on how the OU compares to conventional university (I use the singular, here, because I'm not looking to explore the differences between different conventional universities, as I think this is another issue). I've made the terms of the question not too specific in order to invoke as broad a range of answers to it as possible.
James, Humanities student.
I have no idea how the two compare academically as I have only ever studied with the OU over some years. However, I do feel that that the terms of reference regarding the OU and their students have changed significantly over the years. I am now on my penultimate course and everything had to be printed off (toners £125), including the assessment booklets etc., which added cost and time to a 30 point course which is now completed in just five months rather than the seven months we used to have in the past. The tutors also seem to have a far greater workload than they did in years gone by and they too must feel under greater pressure whilst the vice-chancellor has a pay packet of over £330,000 not to mention the rest of the senior management team leading the OU now, it seems that the OU can pay management ridiculous salaries but have to put up student costs to soften the pain for the accountants to find the higher salaries for senior management. Conventional universities use the student loan system and so too do the OU. The fees have now gone astronomically high with the OU and if I were not on my penultimate course, I could not study with the OU. Many conventional OU future students may not be able to take up study with the OU due to the costs. Computers are now almost a given, which they were not when I started. How on earth does someone struggling to better themselves on jobseeker's allowance cope with studying at the OU if they have never done so before? The OU used to be an educational tool for anyone, now that is not the case. The OU will be the poorer for that. Hope my tuppence worth gives you food for thought regarding your initial question.
I studied first with a conventional uni and now with the OU - done short 10-credit L1's and am about to do a L3 60-credit.
I feel my campus uni gave me the best education.
The modules were 15-credits long. You could study two main fields - eg. History with Women's Studies, etc. There would be several 'free' modules that you could choose in any available field - i.e. Education, IT, etc. Depending whether you opted for Single-associated/joint/major-minor/combined studies would depend how many 'free' modules you would get.
The general format was each week related to an essay question that you could choose from. You then independently sourced materials for you assignment. Inbetween, there would be weekly readings to do for each lecture, and you would contribute to discussion/group work; you may also be asked to lead a seminar. There would be two assignments per module, totalling abt 4-5,000 words per whole module, depending on level or particular assignment - i.e. exam/essay/report/study diary, etc. It also envolved a dissertation of 10, 000 - (+/- 10%) which was 2x15-credit module - you could book in one semester, or spread over 2. I really feel my first degree was excellent preparation for post-grad taught/research. This becomes more apparent over time, as I never fully appreciated it at the time because it is hard work, and there are frustrations of all kinds - i.e. different notice boards with opposing info; room numbers altered, but the map on the wall not yet changed, etc, etc.
I would say that being able to choose modules of 15-credits within a 15wk semester period gives a student great flexibility over how much study they take on and how diverse a collection of modules you can choose from - even with mandatory modules, they won't cut into your freedom too much. With the OU, there can be a problem of studying a 60-credit module over 9mth, because if anything happens in your life, you may end up with no credit, whereas at a campus-based uni, you accumulate credits more quickly, and can perhaps take a break. I have felt more grateful about the shorter-credit modules of my BA since studying with the OU, as some of their 60-credit modules are rather epic, and a bit too interdisciplinary.
I booked annual leave to attend the first year of uni, and this could be tricky. The OU has given people a chance to study who would, historically, be unable to study conventionally. The Ou currently suffers from a lack of course-choice from my perspective, but they are sound as a distance learning institution. They have changed their mandatory-module requirement a bit, and this wouldn't have happened to a current student on my old course, as mandatories were obvious - ie. methodology/research skills relevant to a field or History: one British/Irish module and one World - easy to achieve within modules you would like to pick. Only issue might be if you wanted to switch you main field of study to another, as far as mandatories go. Campus unis offer some D/L courses, but suffer from treating it as an add-on - this may be more noticeable if you have a disability, as they are not always smart at understanding DSA in relation to D/L study.
The OU are known for their materials and you get something in your hand to keep. This will be less of a pull if the OU stop giving printed materials. The OU will be slightly cheaper than most conventional unis, However, if studying just a few 15-credit courses at a campus uni, you may not notice the comparision so much.
The OU write courses and then the work is contracted to tutors. So, you may have students having quite different experiences with the same material and with social media they communicate across regions, so it can be confusing. Tutors mark assignments, but the EMA is marked by someone else, as far as I know. Students have expressed confusion over the difference in their performance. All my assignments were marked by the person teaching the course and then 2nd marked by a faculty member. Mostly, the teacher was the module writer, but sometimes another member took a module. Staff were also free to re-write their lectures weekly, in light of new info - eg. when I was studying about torture within Early-modern witch hunts, the lecturer brought in considerations of the torture of detainees re-terrorism, which was interesting. They can be more responsive to new events. There was no feeling that you have to 'stick to the materials', as the lectures were only a foundation for your essay-research. It is hard for the OU to overcome some criticisms, just because of the nature of the beast. There are limitations for both styles - i.e. not all lecturers spoke clearly enough to hear, but you wouldn't have such a problem with the OU.
There are all kinds of practical reasons for study Distance Learning mode. It would be up to your judgement to see what works for you. Broadly it is cost, length of modules, flexibility, social aspect, ability to attend/travel issues/parking, accessibility to staff and course/module offering. There are pros + neg with both types of study.
It's up to you to choose, but I am happy that my first BA was at a trad. uni. I am also glad to study at the OU.
I have studied on long term part time basis with the OU and found it very beneficial. Study came later to me and I was fortunate to be employed after leaving school in a job that I wanted. This said I developed my interests further with hard work integral of study and would advise students to do the same if they have the opportunity. It IS hard work but rewarding and the learning curve sets you up for anything that life and study throw at you along the way.
My advice? Work and study at the same time. Employers appreciate this flexible attitude and ability to be telescopic in vision !...broadening horizons.
Be frank and open to family members and friends about the time and commitment required and often with this attitude people respect you...another benefit as life and work balance is essential...the reward for this is to become a past master at time management...something we all need today. OU students learn to prioritise early on in study as it is simply essential to do so.
I would do it all again...infact I'm considering doing just that. The web site is great ....the online facilities are great...the subject matter and professionalism of the lecturers is second to none. Happy days ! :-)