So I just applied to university...

ppc-pro said:

Not being funny but saying doing a degree on campus is for people who need "guidance" is ridiculous. Lectures only form the very base part of the degree, then you have to spend many hours doing your own research around the topic to stand a chance of getting a good grade. When I did my degree there was next to no guidance offered and I'm sure that's the same situation now.

And not to be a dick, but saying a degree from the Open University is held in the same value as a traditional degree is not true. Trying applying for a graduate job with an OU degree or getting into a respectable firm - won't happen, especially considering the way the job market is at the moment.

Home study degrees and OU degrees are held in far less esteem than traditional degrees as the barriers to entry (entry grades) are much much lower, amongst other factors such work standards being lower than at traditional universities.

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I didn't mean guidance literally as in lecturers holding your hand along the period of the course. I meant guidance in life as to what to do with your life and how to educate yourself. Most young people go into Uni not really knowing what they want to do, they go for degrees that sound appealing to them and they just stick with it. Obviously there are degrees that are necessary in order for you to be able to do certain things but that doesn't apply to everything.

From what I've been reading, OU degrees are just as good as any other traditional degree. This is taken directly from their site:

An OU qualification is highly regarded by UK employers. Seventy-five per cent of the FTSE top 100 companies are sponsoring, or have sponsored their staff on OU courses and qualifications. That's a measure of how highly they think of us, and how seriously they take our qualifications.

Employers also understand that studying part time while managing work and personal commitments shows determination, adaptability, motivation and a high level of organisational and problem-solving skills ? qualities that they value highly.

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The standards are actually very high and what you're saying is nonsense.

I was quite ignorant in the past and when I first heard of OU I had a similar feeling towards it, I thought it was rubbish. But by being in a traditional Uni I have realized how appealing an OU degree actually is. The flexibility you get is what I really like about it. Don't get me wrong, traditional universities are awesome if you're into socializing, partying, making friends and useful contacts. But from what I've experienced most people just go with the flow, they're not really goal oriented, they're at University just to get a degree and see how things go for them. They have nothing else in mind but to get a degree and find a job.

There's more to it but I don't like writing essays to those who have a narrow perspective.

AutoBlogger said:

No matter how much degree you achieve sitting in your home, you will remain this dick. You have a very wrong perception about what university is actually. Anyway, good luck with that.

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Your post is ridiculous. If you're going to post something, elaborate on it and don't leave people guessing what you meant. What's so wrong with what has been said? Am I missing something?

looks like you're going to uni for the right reasons, and for that, i applaud you

Best of luck to you mon ami

Congratulations on your decision! I wish you very best of luck in your studies

I got sick of seeing retarded shit from the countries finest prospects on my facebook feed.

The fact I don't have a degree yet is also a fucking joke, I am too smart to not have one.

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OU degrees are regarded the same ways as a degree from a poly here in the UK. That's not to say they're good or bad, just different.

The only concern i have is the networking side of uni life. Through people i met there, i've met some great friends and some great business contacts. Also, when the work is hard (and it will be), having 2/3 friends to grind it out in the library for 24 hours is a godsend.

You're sensible in that you want to learn some skills (i presume to aid your business). Most people want a sheet of paper that gets them an unrelated job. Applying what you learn like you do in IM will put you a head of the game.

IMHO, employers undervalue candidates from some universities (i know people at polys' that are smarter than m), and over value others. I constantly get offered jobs because of my university affiliation, and often, i'm really not the right person for the job! It's a shame employers dont "get" it though.

Ste Hughes said:

And I think the magnitude of the challenge is yet to set in.

I got sick of seeing retarded shit from the countries finest prospects on my facebook feed.

The fact I don't have a degree yet is also a fucking joke, I am too smart to not have one. I finished high school with the highest grades of my year group, I sat 3 extra GCSE's and came out with incredible grades and I spent more than half my time out of class in isolation because I acted like a tit.

When I hit college (16-18 education here) I had girls around me, I picked the wrong courses and I got bored and fucked it off and then worked for myself since. I taught myself to code and I haven't looked back since.

but I feel I have let myself down, so tonight I applied for a 6 year BA design and innovation degree with a focus in business.

Basically I'll be learning to develop physical products, something I have wanted to do for a long time.

It's a study at home degree meaning it will take 6 years to complete but its at my own pace, I don't have to worry about my dog and home and I don't have to live with shitty stinking students in some shitty student halls. It has the full 'value' of a traditional degree also.

So yeah, I don't know how it will be working out in truth.

but do wish me luck

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My daughter has three degrees, and lived off campus for her second and third degrees. She also held down two jobs while getting all A's and paying her rent and bills. She took one online class because it conflicted with her schedule. It was a piece of cake. Studying at home is nice if you have issues, (physical, mental, or obligations like childcare) but it's not the same as getting a degree from a traditional university. If you're going to do something like work for yourself, then it doesn't matter. But if you are going to go out into the world and apply for a good job, the person with the degree from a university will get the job before you do.

ShadeDream said:

I was quite ignorant in the past and when I first heard of OU I had a similar feeling towards it, I thought it was rubbish. But by being in a traditional Uni I have realized how appealing an OU degree actually is. The flexibility you get is what I really like about it. Don't get me wrong, traditional universities are awesome if you're into socializing, partying, making friends and useful contacts. But from what I've experienced most people just go with the flow, they're not really goal oriented, they're at University just to get a degree and see how things go for them. They have nothing else in mind but to get a degree and find a job.

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I have one last kid (the youngest) in college now. The kids who take college seriously are not into socializing, partying, and making friends. They are there to get ahead. If you look at the top students of any college, you can clearly see that they are on a mission. They are smart as whips, no nonsense, don't take any shit, get out of my way or I will stomp you down type kids. They sure are goal oriented. My son was offered a summer internship in Washington DC. He is only a freshman. The only fun he has away at school is being on the rugby team. Other than that, it is all studying all the time. He is a determined young man on a mission. That's how all the kids who get all A's in college are. His internship was not offered because of a "useful contact." Colleges find jobs for the good students. Even when the kids don't approach the college about a job, the professors will approach students who they think would be right for certain jobs. My son's professor approached him about this internship. Maybe the college you went to when you were young was different, or the kids you hung around with were like that. But the top students are nothing like what you describe above.

Good luck man! Never hurts to have a ticket!

Although I'm not from the UK...
I got my BA, did my internship and then worked for a year in London. I went to a small uni so it was a bit harder to get an internship, but I ended up in one of the biggest car manufacturers in the world and after that everything was a piece of cake in terms of my career.

Since I've worked in other European countries as well I can HONESTLY say,that the UK is much more open-minded in terms of giving opportunities to people who, may not have the strongest of educational backrounds BUT are able to demonstrate practical work skills or work experience.

A degree from one of the "popular" universities sure helps, but it can only get you that far.

ppc-pro said:

Graduated 5 years ago. No I'm not looking for IM methods of making money, I have money to invest in businesses and someone told me about this place, this place also popped up when I was looking into trading bitcoin. I work front office in an IB

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OH thats good mate, i was going to pursure a career in IB but i had family friends that left it saying its too much hours and trouble getting in with out a contact

ollie9009 said:

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He says that while wearing a university hoodie...

Good luck man. I have being doing the same for the last 3 years and I got one more to go so whatever you do dont give up.

manny2513 said:

Good luck man. I have being doing the same for the last 3 years and I got one more to go so whatever you do dont give up.

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Nice!

what are you studying?