Does anyone know if open university degrees are really recognised by employers?

[isis4691]

I am about to embark on an open university course hopefully leading to a degree. Are they really recognised by employers as it says on their own site?

[saxy_jag]

Yes, they are - other than the fact that most of their teaching takes place via distance learning, they are treated the same as any bona fide British university, using the same points scheme and accreditation criteria.

The OU graduate is probably more likely to get the job than a graduate of a conventional university. He or she has had to get there, by and large, under their own steam and often against a background of working and caring and anything else that adult life involves. It indicates a self-reliant, hard-working prospective employee.

The only time I've had my OU qualification dissed was by a traditional university, who also cast aspersions on my degree from an ex-polytechnic-now-a-university but on reflection, I wouldn't have wanted to work there anyway, if that was their attitude.

[Buenchico]

Most employers rate an OU degree much higher than any other degree, including those from Oxford and Cambridge. See here:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Jobs-and-Educat ion/Question421062.html

Chris

[isis4691]

Thanks very much to you saxy_jag and Buenchico I feel much more confident about my course now.

It is true that people like me who have family commitments (3 kids) could not go to Uni in the conventional way. Lone Parent advisors are on my back and I'm looking for a job ,but it would be nice in a few years time to have a degree and earn a better wage (hopefully) than what I'm able to get at the moment.
Once again Thanks.