Voted in the top two for student satisfaction three years running in the National Student Survey, The Open University is the UK's largest university, with more than 500 courses, leading to more than 200 qualifications.
Known as provider of high quality education and support, the OU is an increasing choice for students who want a qualification that employers respect, without incurring a large student debt. There's a whole range of financial help available when you study with the OU and the good news for is that if you live at home with your parents you are assessed on your own income, not your parents income. So, if you're earning under £16,510 a year (£16,530 in Wales), you could qualify for full support and avoid student debt.
A lot of this financial support is available only if you are resident in the UK and studying undergraduate courses. But there's also a range of help for postgraduate students, as well as those resident in the Republic of Ireland and Continental Europe. In addition, students with a disability, medical condition or specific learning difficulty may be able to get help with extra study costs, regardless of their income.
The Open University, itscourses and qualifications, are highly respected among Britain's leading businesses. Why are we so popular among employers? There are a number of reasons. First, there is the officially recognised academic excellence of the OU's teaching. Then there is our open and flexible approach to teaching, called supported. Open Learning which allows students to work while studying for their future career development and provides unrivalled support by email, phone or at study groups. Finally, there is the value of the qualifications themselves employers understand the commitment and ambition it takes for students to complete an OU degree, which considerably raises the value of our graduates as employees. The 2008 Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey undertaken by the Higher Education Statistics Agency showed that 81% of OU undergraduate students were found to be in employment six months after they graduated. 92% of postgraduate students were found to be in employment six months after graduation.
The OU has a wealth of career resources at hand and it really pays to put in the time and effort to explore all possible avenues of help and support, especially if you aren't sure what you want to do yet. Not only is the OU a recognised and highly respected institution but many organisations are more than happy for their employees to take an OU degree while working. Over the years, more than 50,000 organisations have sponsored OU students, such as BT, Ford, Coca-Cola, Sony and Unilever.
In addition to undergraduate degrees, the OU also offers certificates, diplomas and a range of employment-related foundation degrees. Designed and developed by employers to give students higher-level skills needed in the work place; up to half of a foundation degree consists of work-based courses. Most OU foundation degrees are also offered as a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE).
