The Open University - increasingly a first choice for a degree

In a rapidly changing higher education sector, students are demanding more of the universities they choose to study with. Prompted by funding changes that will see many of them incur higher levels of debt, they are seeking top quality programmes that will provide a first-rate learning experience and also help them develop skills favoured by employers. In an increasingly competitive environment, these students recognise the importance of differentiating themselves from other candidates.

The OU offers its younger students the opportunity to start a career and get a highly-regarded degree at the same time.

Little wonder, then, that there is a demographic shift going on at The Open University, where there has been a fourfold increase in the number of under-24s studying for an OU degree in the past eight years.

Indeed, over one in five of the university’s new undergraduate students is aged 24 or under and around 12,000 new students in this age group begins studying with the OU each year – a figure equal to the student population of many of the UK’s universities. When you consider that OU students do not have to find the money to live away from home and that our fees are significantly lower anyway, it should come as no surprise that increasing numbers of younger students are choosing to study with the

Those who succeed in OU study do so through a combination of support from the university, tutors, first-rate materials, and – importantly – the development of a number of distinguishing traits that will serve them well in their future endeavours. High levels of commitment, motivation, time management and dedication – skills that OU study undoubtedly develop - are highlighted regularly as skills highly valued by students, graduates and employers alike. We also offer a growing number of foundation degrees. The following employer testimonial is typical of many:

OU students combining work and study show they are ambitious and have a strong work ethic. They are evidently keen to develop themselves and are managing to do this while juggling a busy work or home life, which is no mean feat.  The competencies which OU students develop during their degree are invaluable to us. Emma Beadle, Graduate Recruitment Manager at Unilever.

Students are also attracted by the quality of OU provision - enjoyed by more than two million students since The Open University was established. This is borne out by the findings of all three annual National Student Surveys, which show that OU students have a higher overall satisfaction rate than those of students at any other university polled. 

Recent press reports suggest that 1 in 4 students now drop out from their university courses and we have found that the number of students coming to us having done just that has increased by 30% over the last three years. Many use the OU’s credit transfer system to count successfully completed study at their previous university towards their OU degree. So students don’t have to start from scratch and it will take them less time to get their OU qualification! Frequently, students who have studied at both the OU and traditional university tell us that they have had a better experience with, and feel more supported by, the OU too.

Through virtual conferencing and seminars, chat rooms, support groups, club and societies all flourish. As a result, students can talk freely across race, cultural and class divides – a marvellous example of a global community that involves people from more than 40 countries.

The opportunity to start a career while they learn and avoid incurring significant debts, the flexibility offered by the OU’s methods, and the quality of its teaching are all factors that combine to make The Open University a viable and attractive option for young people. Find out more by visiting www.openuniversity.co.uk/you.