Open University

slipss

Deos any body know if these online college style things like Open University are any good. Would a diploma or degree from a reputable one of these be the same as a diploma or degree from UCD or TIT or Maynooth. If so how are the tests carried out, do you have to go somewhere to take them? Has anyone done any of these sort of courses?.

Kastro

portlaoise prison has an open university
ya can study anything in there

Capt'n Midnight

Kastro wrote:

portlaoise prison has an open university
ya can study anything in there

Actually for a long time only those in prison (& prison officer ?) could do an OU course in this country.

ronbyrne2005

open university is well regarded, dcu run a distance learning course where you can earn a degree,a friend recently completed psychology degree with OU and is applying for masters in an physical university

LundiMardi

slipss wrote:

Deos any body know if these online college style things like Open University are any good. Would a diploma or degree from a reputable one of these be the same as a diploma or degree from UCD or TIT or Maynooth. If so how are the tests carried out, do you have to go somewhere to take them? Has anyone done any of these sort of courses?.

why don't you read through the OU website, you'll find your answers there.

John R

OU qualifications are very well regarded, in all areas I know about they are considered to be on a par with the better Unis in the UK for degrees/masters.They would be in general a better bet than other home learning outfits although distance learning run from good traditional colleges wouldn't be bad either.

The OU have an office in Dublin and run a large number of tutoring centres and exams in Ireland. They used to be very cheap, pretty much the same nominal fees as for the UK (which are heavily subsidised by the UK government) but I think there is a charge now on overseas students. It is still very cheap compared to commercial courses.

[Jackass]

Personally I wouldn't imagine it's HUGHLY reputable, it's also quite expensive, about €1000 for a years study...to get a degree + exam fees etc. etc. could cost you approx €5000...just do a night course in DCU or DIT if you have the time.

seamus

DubGuy wrote:

Personally I wouldn't imagine it's HUGHLY reputable, it's also quite expensive, about €1000 for a years study...

I'd call that relatively cheap tbh.
I have no idea how well regarded they are, but given the OU's reputation I'd say an OU degree would stand well to you, especially since it requires a lot more self-discipline than a standard university.

I was looking for a postgrad to do with them, and a two-year MSc would cost me in the region of €10000...

BuffyBot

I have no idea how well regarded they are, but given the OU's reputation I'd say an OU degree would stand well to you, especially since it requires a lot more self-discipline than a standard university.

They are quite well regarded - in 2003 the OU was ranked in terms of teaching quality ahead of Oxford and University College London. And as Seamus said, employers do tend to recognise the extra work which goes into obtaining a degree via the OU.

robinph

I've been doing courses with the OU for a good few years now. Their prices were a good deal cheaper until a couple of years ago for the Republic, but now they just charge the same for anyone in the EU but not UK although I think that you can claim tax back for the courses from the Irish govenrment.

They are ranked very highly against all other UK uni's and emplyers do recognise the difference between doing a degree in a regular uni and having done it as part time at the same time as having a fulltime job.

It varys from module to module as to the exams that you have, but there is generally several assignments that you would have to submit during the year, some you have to print and post off but other courses you can submit online. Most modules then have exams at the end of the year, with runs from Feb-Oct for most courses, and for me these have always been in one of the colleges in Dublin. Most courses would also have tutorials that you can turn up for which may be held a 3 or 4 times during the year, but if you cannot make it to these then there is also very good support via an online message board type system or from your assigned tutors. Although depending on the popularity of each course in each region for some the nearest tutor may be in the UK somewhere.

godtabh

DubGuy wrote:

Personally I wouldn't imagine it's HUGHLY reputable, it's also quite expensive, about €1000 for a years study...to get a degree + exam fees etc. etc. could cost you approx €5000...just do a night course in DCU or DIT if you have the time.

Some night course in trinity cost €2000 or more for engineering ones