Places available now, open to everyone<\/h2>\n
\u00a0<\/em>Jonathan Wylie, Director, Academic Services (Designate), said:<\/p>\n In the midst of the confusion of results, clearing and confirmations, the OU has a place available today and is open to everyone. It\u2019s an offer that\u2019s available right now.\u00a0OU students take an alternative route to a degree which is flexible enough to fit in with the rest of their life. More students study with the OU than with any other university in the UK, thanks to our quality and excellent support for students.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Jacob Smith graduated from the OU last year<\/p><\/div>\n 21-year-old Jacob Smith graduated from the OU last year with a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics<\/a>.\u00a0 The OU worked for Jacob as he had caring responsibilities for his mother and couldn\u2019t go away to university, but he doesn\u2019t feel he missed out.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can enjoy the student experience \u2013 there are lots of ways the OU connects with you; there are online events and Student Association meet ups.\u00a0 When I want, I can be in touch.\u201d<\/p>\n Jacob completed his OU degree without any debt and is going on to study a Masters at Cardiff University, saying: \u201cWhen I was visiting the universities I had Masters offers for, some academics I spoke to said that OU graduates are well placed for postgraduate study, as they are independent and self-motivated.\u201d<\/p>\n Students who have benefited from the OU’s flexible formula include 30-year-old Matthew Hall, a senior design engineer from Pudsey, West Yorkshire, who was encouraged by his employer to switch from a HND to a degree with the OU.<\/p>\n My employers at the time didn\u2019t want me taking a day\u2019s leave for education, so suggested that I looked into the OU courses as one of them had gone down that route in the past.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Matthew is now doing an MEng<\/a> with the OU. Fellow graduate Eleri Jenkins, 27, from South Wales, who works for the Animal & Plant Health Agency, decided going away to university was not for her after doing her A-levels. A shoulder injury meant regular hospital appointments and she was “not interested” in going to a bricks and mortar university. She graduated with a BA (Hons) in Business Studies. Eleri said:<\/p>\n I have grown as a person, studying for and getting my degree has improved my employability and given me confidence. In fact, when I started studying I would not have recognised the person I have now become.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n For more than 45 years the OU has provided high-quality teaching with a network of expert tutors, and used the latest technology to educate its students. \u00a0Recent results from the National Student Survey show that students continue to rate the OU highly<\/a>.\u00a0 The institution had the highest rating in the \u2018assessment and feedback\u2019 category, and course content and teaching were also rated highly.<\/p>\n The cost of studying with the OU full time is \u00a35,572 per year* but many students work throughout their studies and study 60 credits a year over six years to achieve an honours degree.\u00a0 You pay for each module separately and can access a part-time tuition fee loan \u2013 find out more on our fees and funding<\/a> website.<\/p>\n There are a number of ways you can get into Open University study:<\/p>\nZero debt and an enjoyable student experience<\/h2>\n
![\"Jacob](\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Jacob-Smith-300x264.jpg\")
The OU’s flexible formula benefits students<\/h2>\n
\u00a0Student satisfaction is high<\/h2>\n
Great value, flexible payment options<\/h2>\n
Flexible ways into study<\/h2>\n
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