Open University Qualifications

[PunkDaddy]

Could anyone tell me how employers look on Open University qualifications. I work full time and have a baby and a pregnant wife so my time is sparse but I would like to get at least some qualifications in I.T. ( I have experience but nothing on paper). I could probably fit some time in to do some work from home but don't want to waste my time doing Open University if employers think they are mickey mouse qualifications.

 

Thanks.

 

Ben.

[ursula62]

According to the OU's publicity, most employers value an OU degree more than a standard university degree because it shows so much more commitment to complete a course of study while holding down a full time job.

OU isn't easy - it needs a time commitment of a minimum of 15 hours a week for a standard course, and more for double credit ones. If you have a new baby on the way this may not be practical for best part of an academic year right now.

[PunkDaddy]

Thanks, I saw the OU stuff, but I thought they are hardly gonna say "people think our qualifications are worth nothing" wanted to see what others experience was. I can't wait a year, I will manage the time somehow.

[Hgrove]

Someone I know has an Open Uni degree and her take was that it may not be better than other "regular" degrees but on the other hand it is better than no degree at all.  I started an OU degree several years ago but I stopped;  I found I needed the discipline of going to a regular class.

[jocasta]

Just another point, I employ people in the IT industry and I know that I value experience over 'bits of paper' any day - unless you are just out of uni, ie 21/22 yrs old, what you have done in IT is more important that what you have passed a test in....just my 2p worth!

[PunkDaddy]

Thanks Hgrove, that's a good way of looking at it, and seeing as I have no degree at all that helps. Also thanks Jocasta, I am only 24 but I have 2 years experience programming ( worked my way up from warehouse ) so that gives me a bit more confidence.

[Octavius]

I can't add much about OU courses other than that it needs real dedication and self-discipline to keep on going with it. 

 

Why don't you consider gaining some other certificates, ONC or HNC at your local college?  I did this and then decided to go on to do a degree - if you have some form of qualification in your field, an employer might consider letting you have day release for a university degree if you/they found it necessary. 

[Sammy Snake]

Just to give you an idea of timescale, when I started a science degree with the OU, committing the min. of 14 hours per week (I also worked full time), it would have taken 6 years to get enough credits to earn a full degree.

 

There were diplomas and other things you could aim for but a degree took YEARS.  I couldn't expect anything else really for so little time each week.

[PunkDaddy]

Thanks everyone, it has been very helpful. I don't know whether i will go for a full degree i was just wondering how people looked on the qualifications. They are bloody expensive anyway so it would probably take me longer than 6 years to accumulate the money needed. Thanks again.

[Hgrove]

Actually I agree with Octavius, the sort of qualifications he suggests are, I think, highly employable, and if you do decide to do a degree later, you may be able to get credits towards your degree because of these courses, and any work experience you have acquired.  There is something called APL (accreditation of prior learning) or something similar.  A part time degree will take years and you never know how your circumstances may change during that time.

[l_h_kings]

Hi Ben,

My Mum is an Associate Dean at a Large University in the Midlands (not OU!) She tells me that The OU is considered to be one of the top Uni's and is very highly respected. So they are definately worthy degrees, but that's not to say an employer would be as informed.

Good Luck to you and your family