What's the longest it's taken someone to get their OU degree?

That sounds like quite a long time indeed.

Some of my course results say, that they are counted towards the qualification I look for for 8 years "only", so I assume you are going for an Open Degree?

In any case, I wish you good luck with the final part of your venture!

I'm almost embarrased to be posting! I can beat that by a whole 10 years and maybe more, my first course was T273 Food production systems in 1981 when I embarked on what I hoped was a six year degree course, I intended to study technology. so far my few courses have been tech based but now I'm about to begin DD100 in social sciences and am looking at a long time indeed before I see a degree, open or otherwise.

Children and jobs mostly got in my way up until now. No such excuses to get in the way at this moment in time.

I started way back in 1982 but finally got my honours this year!

Congratulations, isladonald!
What degree is it? Open degree?

Message to Jassy

I dont think you should be embarrassed! At least you started. I have been thinking about it since I left school 1981 but you know, life, etc. I finally started a course last year. I didnt think I would! But well done to to everyone who has had the tenacity to keep going even when things have got in the way, you haven't given up. I do feel humbled. Should have, would have, could have? But Im here now!

I did my first course in 1992 (D103) and couldn't decide what to study next. So I had a break until October 2008! Now studying AA100 and at the great age of 55 I need to get a move on if I want to graduate before they nail down my box. I no longer have time for 16 year rests between courses

;0}

I think I may be one of the longest ... started A101 in 1985, did A228 in 1986. Then stopped and started again in 2003. The OU has certainly changed since those days!

Everyone at the OU is shocked when I reveal my ancient number - I started with A101 in 1975, had a very, very long gap until 1990 and finally graduated with honours in 1997. I have now decided to return and take the French intermediate course to keep the brain cells working!

Correction to my previous entry. I started so long ago that it was D101, not A101 that I completed in 1975. So I really do need to exercise my brain cells again!

You are the longest, Joan! OU can become a way of life.

I started my OU studies in 1973 (year'C') and graduated in Humanities in 1994.I completed PG Cert,Humanities in 1999.It was a wonderful time in the OUs history to learn from the pioneering academics,the BBC Sunday broadcasts ,and not forgetting the Summer Schools,and the fees were so cheap,and you could get a grant from the local education authority for summer school.
I had intended to study for MA History but I couldn't really justify the expense or time due to my previous track record of study. However I have returned to the OU fold, after sampling other online university courses (pity that Exeter University was unable to continue its programme) to continue life-long learning, and I find the short courses a great facility.

I can't beat 20 years, that's some determination you got there to get your degree. I started in 1999, done a bit for the next 2 years, then gave up. My kids were too small for me to concentrate 100%. I've come back this year to do 2 x 30 points at level 1. I'd forgotten how addictive OU study can be!
Sue

I believe my mother holds the record, or at least did at the time she graduated. She was even featured in Sesame for this...erm...achievement.

Sadly I don't recall the exact dates, but she had done at least a couple of years' worth by the end of '74, and finished off a couple of years ago, so 30+ years for sure.

I managed 2001 to 2008 for my BSc, and thought that was a long time. Then as soon as my results came through I book on for a Masters!
I do know many OU people that have signed up for life. Albert McPhee was made an Honorary Member of OUSA in Scotland due to starting a course with the OU when it started and continuing every year till his death.

I took A101 in 1982, then A204 in '84. Then I met and married, took on a house and a mortgage and three step- children,retrained out of bookselling into carpentry, and that was the end of the OU - I thought! I hung on to the course books for a couple of years, then burned them on the garden bonfire, having definitely decided that I'd never get back to study. Then, a couple of years later on I was on a lunch break with my work mate and we got talking about hobbies etc and I told him that I'd done a couple of years with the OU, and hoped one day to get back to it and finish the degree, not really thinking that I would. He then said one of the worst-or the best-things anyone has ever said to me. 'Ah', he said, 'you'll never finish that now. You're too old !' At which point he took a complacent swig from his bottle of milk, and a bite out of his cheese sandwich ( he was that sort of chap! )and looked into the far distance, through the gap in the wall where the window had been before we took it out. It was at that point that I decided that I WOULD finish my degree, and wave the certificate under his nose when I got it!
Well, it took a long time, and I signed up for courses, and pulled out of them, wasted hundreds of pounds, and hours and hours of valuable time, but I did get there, eventually. Unfortunately in the intervening years he moved, first to Canada, then back to the UK, but up to Norfolk. However, I have been able to let him know of my success through a relative of his still in my neck of the woods. I like to picture the look of amazement on his wrinkled old visage!
The one big lesson for me from the OU? Not the names of the capitals on the columns of the Parthenon, not the identity of free indirect speech in the novels of Jane Austen, not the date of the composition of Frankenstein ( 1818 ) all of these valuable, no doubt ( especially in the exam! )facts. No, the BIG lesson of the OU is: NEVER GIVE UP!
And good luck to all those still in harness. I am, even now, planning my return!

Sorry, fogot.Degree, B.A.Open, 2007. That's the challenge now, of course, the race between completing Honours and the dreaded alzhiemers!

Hi I started 1987 and I graduated on the 31/12/08 at the age of 80.
Cheers Ewart

Hmm! Not sure if I qualify, but began in 1976 (D101), graduated with BA in 1982.
Returned last year for 2 level one courses to limber up and now it's U211 this year and a 3rd Level next year for Hons. Then it's downhill all the way to MA., when I should be close to 80!

D.O.G. (just work it out from dozy .......)

I can't beat any of those unfortunately. I was only born in 1975 (sorry!). But I started my degree when 18 at a 'traditional' university. Gave up half way through in about 1995. Had one false start with the OU about 3 years later, but now finally feel ready to do the deed and finish. Did an openings course before Christmas and doing another one now (need to work up to these things). Think I may be confident to start a 'proper' 60-pointer in October. Hope to finish in 2012. Only 20 years then (1992-2012). Must try harder! Good luck to all. Nicky

There is nothing to be embarassed about, there is nothing wrong with taking so long to study. not everyones situation is the same and alot of people here do not have any free time because of other committments just like myself. do not be embarassed about it, you should feel proud that your studying a degree despite all the obstacles and stress you, me and us fellow students get.

keep your head up and celebrate :)

Thank you all. I will hopefully be finishing my degree after completing this year's study. Ten years seemed like a really long time to me, but you have proved to me that I am far from abnormal. The stories of decades of determination and achievment despite adversity warm the heart. Once again, Thank you.

Hi My OU number began with "B" I eventually ended up with a BA Hons after eight years, used to think this was not good, but now feel it was really better than I had supposed, after reading some of the postings. Mine took so long firstly due to my lack of any academic learning prior to the Ou and secondly due to a few very poor choices of courses. But I got there in the end, I will always remember my first Tutor during the then Arts Foundation course remarking "well if you can achieve a "C" anyone has a chance", that merely made me determined to succeed come what may.

BevK

Awarded BSc(Hon) open Dec 2008, just passed age 76 years. First course started in 1999, S357, followed up with other level 3 courses, in Quantum Mech. course I realised I must beef up my Maths, so took MST207
I did one more course at level 2, S207 and SXP207, later on I did T356 and T357 and others. This is my gap year, disability of my wife making many demands on my time, so I did only T190 (Story of Maths)this year. Hope to register for MS325 which includes Chaos theory. Working life was in Engineering profession.

I started studying with the OU in 1999, so I can't beat you, but I have had quite a few 'breaks' in between studying! It will take me a long time to get my degree, but I'm thoroughly enjoying myself along the way!!

I first did A102 in 1990, stumbled and didn't complete.

The next year completed the course.

There following year I did a couple arts course, I think one was about Rome and the other was music. I tried to do two in one year and get the degree early. But I wasn't really interested in Rome. The music was fine, but to this day I cannot remember why I never did the exam I got a grade 1 in all of the tmas.

The following year I decided to take the plunge and do s102, I always liked science but was afraid it would be too difficult (I'm dyslexic with mild learning difficulties) but everything went fine. My boss however, would not give me the day off work to do my exam, so that fell through. Same boss decided to give my job to one of his friends and finished me on Christmas eve 1993.

So, I applied to Derby uni and asked my tutor councillor from the OU if he could be my referee and he said he would. So I got my B.Sc. at Derby Uni.

I then wanted to do a M.Sc. with the OU, but financial reasons and a very lengthy illness meant this was postponed.

I am now back in the OU fold and have registered for a M.Sc in earth science, starting Feb next year.

IF (and we all know it's a big IF) all goes well I expect it will be 2012/13 before completing the studies. About 22/ 23 years before starting with the OU!

No doubt I'll be saying the same in 20 years. LOL

Wow some inspiring stories! I first started with the OU in 1998 after failing two A levels. Studying at home appealed to me and I always knew I wanted to continue my education. I lived at home with my mum who was a single parent who has mental health problems so this (as well as poor performance at school) put me off of going to a brick uni.

I have studied five courses in health and social care and one in social sciences over the course of the last ten years I am currently waiting to see if I have passed my BA (open).

I had originally wanted to gain the BA honours in Health and Social Care so was disappointed when the OU sent a letter out a couple of years ago to say they had changed their rules and that this qualification would have to be completed in 10 years (it will be 11 when I finish).

I have been in contact with the OU and they have advised me to contact the awards centre to see if I can get an extention in order to gain the BA hons in a named subject. I have held of doing this for now as I want to see what my results are (in case I fail). So I am taking it a step at a time.

It is great to read everyones stories and share experiences!

I started in 1985 and I remember thinking that 1991 was a very very long way away.

I didn't contemplate for one moment that it would actually take me until December 2009 to complete the 'six' years.

So 25 years (with breaks) is my humble offering.

I've just begun my 1st course in Jan '10 and was slightly optimistic about completing in 5-6yrs

mmmm.... now after reading these comments i may have been extremely optimistic!!!

I can see how 'life' gets in the way (and i'm only 2months in)

So to sum up from the so far declared runners and riders, including study year 2010, we have:

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Longest Honours Degrees (finished are in bold)

years

35  whh33headdon (ongoing)
34? Mum of Simon Hariss
30  Jassy (ongoing)   
27? exraf64 (hons is ongoing)
27  isladonald
26  Ann (ongoing)
25  tmaprocrastinator
23  Joan Warren
22  chedburger
22  eln35
20  Lifelearner (ongoing)
19  nickyhoare (ongoing)
19  SharynF (ongoing)
13  srm225 (ongoing)
12  nia11
12  welshsue
10  Bilgram8
10  keido
 8  Araldia
 8  BevK
 7? nimmy (now studying for a masters)
??  emanuelina (ongoing)
  1  tiri (ongoing)

E&OE

Apologies if there are any errors. It is only a bit of fun and it is only for the time taken to get from 0 points to gaining a BA/BSc Honours. Masters study is excluded. Where dates have not been supplied they have been estimated and a '?' added.