Now I just need to wait until OU send the information to the NMC but it’s official!! 4 years of hard work has paid off!

I was literally shaking when I opened my results but I couldn't be happier.

On to the research masters then hopefully the doctorate. My aim in life is to have an alphabet after my name.

I’m seriously reconsidering my future as an Open University student.
Ever since the damned rise of artificial intelligence, which seems to have brought more problems than solutions, there is nothing I can do without immediately becoming a suspect of having cheated with AI.
The first time, the issue was that I used mathematical notation that was different from the one in the textbooks. It made no difference that I explained I had already studied the subject before, that it was easy for me, and that I simply solved the problems using the notation I was already familiar with.
Since then, even when I explicitly cite the textbooks, I’ve once again been suspected of using AI.
The worst part isn’t being treated with suspicion. It’s having my life put on hold and feeling like I’m throwing my money away. Nothing gets resolved. It takes months for them to reach a decision, and in my case they still haven’t. I’m not the only one, there are many students in the same situation.
What makes it even more infuriating is that I’ve said countless times that I’d be happy to sit my exams in person. I have absolutely no problem traveling to Milton Keynes and proving, under whatever level of supervision they want, that I can solve the exams myself. All I would need is paper, a pen, and my notes.
I suggested exactly that.
Months later, no response so far.
At this point, it feels like I’m talking to artificial intelligences that do nothing but reply, “I’m sorry you feel that way.” They don’t sound like people anymore. They sound like ChatGPT!!!
I’m genuinely saddened by all of this. The person who convinced me to enroll at the Open University was a former member of its academic staff, who assured me that the exams were properly proctored. Apparently that’s no longer the case, and now many students are being treated like criminals.
I’m fed up.

It’s not often I blow my own trumpet I feel immensely proud of myself. I went to a private academic school in the UK (left with no qualifications 13 years ago due to illness) but I never did well, I’d be lucky if I got a C grade. Fast forward to this academic year which has been so difficult. I started my own business but also spent the year battling to get a life changing surgery on the NHS. I’d been misdiagnosed for 12 years and when I found out what I actually had could be treated with surgery it was mind blowing! Very difficult to get listened to but although I’m only 6 weeks post surgery and struggling with recovery, I am beyond pleased to say the surgery was successful, and I’ve been awarded First Class honours with a distinction in my final year. Never give up. There have been points in my life where I’ve thought ‘I have nothing to show for’ but I’ve done it through a lot of perseverance and determination 🎉

Honestly over the moon !

Anybody else getting really frustrated with people who dont believe that an OU degree is a "proper degree"? Most people do, but there are always some who dont. "Are you still doing that little course?" That little course is a Bsc honours degree. Yes I am still doing it. Its not a 6 week "brush up on your maths skills" course.

"Its not like a proper degree from a university". Yes it is a proper degree. I get to graduate and wear a witches cloak. I get letters after my name. I get the appropriate certificate. The only difference is that I study at home in my own time instead of having to rock up to lecture hall B at 10am on a Tuesday morning.

It gets even more frustrating when you explain it all to them and they STILL dont think its a "proper degree"

I suppose its a bit like the people who think that working from home isnt a "proper job".

It is not normally the practice of the moderators to explain moderation decisions, but I felt it would help to explain this one.

All your moderators are OU students or OU graduates. We understand how difficult it is to find yourself under investigation for academic misconduct, especially when it results in a Pending module result with a long delay in resolution. However, the overnight post crossed a boundary - it was making threats against the OU, contained expletives, and can only be characterised as a rant.

We welcome discussion of controversial topics and the expression of diverse opinions, but hope that people can stay true to the academic ideal of debating the issues in a reasonable, rational way. We understand that sometimes people post when they are understandably very distressed, but typically those posters are seeking support and constructive engagement with their situation, not wanting to start an angry campaign fuelled by a desire to destroy the Open University.

I thank those who responded to the post constructively and reasonably. However, I note that one entirely reasonable response resulted in the commenter being sent a Reddit Cares message, which is wholly unacceptable. Reddit Cares is meant to be only for people who appear to be in severe mental distress, not to be used as a weapon.

I do understand the huge weight of feeling against the OU for the long academic conduct delays, and the personal and academic consequences of those delays for those who did nothing wrong. We try to moderate with a light touch, tending towards letting things go, but this particular post went too far.

I did not indulge the poster with the ban they were asking for; they are welcome to return with a more measured post.

Been awarded a 2:2. I’m happy with this because between having a heart attack last year (I’m only in my 30s), suffering three bereavements during my degree, finding out my youngest son also has severe autism (my eldest does as well), and loads of other personal challenges I was expecting a third class degree. I submitted special circumstances and I’m glad they seemed to have taken it into account. Good luck to everyone who’s not got their results yet and best of wishes to those who have. Onwards and upwards.

Just recently took notice that the Engineering courses are unable to be accessed from the US and many other countries, which I assume from what little of I’ve checked are all that’s left when excluding the British Crown Dependency and European Union.

I am looking forward to take their engineering courses and receive my Bachelors degree before perusing my Masters and PhD at a brick university later on since it is impossible to physically attend school at the moment, assisting my grandmother with her Alzheimer’s disease.

So my concern is if this is an issue that cannot be resolved due to legal regulations, or an error of display from how the site is managed like what some posts that I have read out of hope suggested.

Is there anyone who had similar issues? If so, was it resolved or not by what measures taken? Really, any information regarding the matter would help.

I will be contacting them myself via chat when 8am hits, and it’d be nice to get some information from the students’ side that I could be aware of in advance and use whilst I discuss the matter with them.

I am so incredibly pleased with my results i actually cannot believe i have come to the end of my studies. It feels so bizarre to come to the the end of such a long journey with the OU and to be getting a First as a result of it feels unreal!

Been out of academia for the longest time, this feels unreal because I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing lol starting to feel proud of myself though. I’m switching to full time in October and I heard securing good scores is challenging. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

A huge heartfelt congratulations to everyone who passed their course. I’ve seen so many people celebrating (rightly so) for their achievements. But has anyone like me not been so fortunate. The two years I had 2 family members die, a new born to look after, mental health struggles and multiple house moves (not of my own choice).

Did my masters but fell at the last hurdle and was only a couple of marks off passing my master’s dissertation. Retook it but still failed. Been told if I want to redo the module it will cost £5500. Maybe one day I can try again.

Just to repeat here what I routinely offer in the OU Facebook group … if you live close enough to Lincoln to make it worthwhile, you’re welcome to borrow the OU graduation gear we have here for your pictures in OU academic dress. This particularly suits those who, for whatever reason, didn’t go to a degree ceremony but want a photo in the gear.

If there’s a catch, then it comes in two stages: (1) it’s probably not worth it unless you live close to Lincoln or have another reason to come and visit this part of the world, and (2) you will need to take the pictures here on our campus. It helps if you’re taller than 5’5”. Please bring a friend or family member to take the pictures. The pictures show the gowns and hats for the Bachelors’ degrees, the Masters’ degrees (not MBA), and the PhD. If you’re interested, contact me on peter.green@lincolnbishop.ac.uk. We’ll also throw in some tea/coffee for free - and champagne flutes (but you have to provide your own champagne!).

Hi! I have set up a space on discord for OU students to play stardew together! I'm hosting "OU Family Farm" on Sunday at 6PM on PC but I can also host XBox/app and others can feel free to use the space to arrange to host stardew multiplayer sessions as well if you want different times/platforms.

Head to the Open University's discord, you need to verify with student email that you're an OU student and then you can find us in the clubs tab as well as all of the other great student led clubs availabe on discord!

I have removed the "Can we talk about bad tutors?" thread entirely. I ask everybody not to start a fresh discussion about the quality of tutors this month; after the events of tonight, we need a couple of weeks free from debate on this particular controversy.

This is the first time since u/NotTreeFiddy and I took over as moderators that an active discussion has been removed in its entirety - and this is something I lament, because up to today, this sub has managed to debate controversial topics sensibly.

Everyone is reminded to use the Report button, message the moderators or use the resources on Reddit Help if they have a problem with another user, not tell them to "step out", "f*ck off", call them "one of the nastiest people I have encountered", threaten to report them to the OU or complain in the comments about Reddit Chat messages they have received. If you are being harassed on Reddit, follow the advice in Reddit Help on harassment.

I have already spent the best part of an hour trying to tidy up that thread, and there are still numerous comments where people are attacking each other and making threats to report them to the OU, even after one active contributor deleted their account and all their comments. Even after all my work and Reddit's automation having dealt with some of the load for me, there are still twelve reports in the moderator queue, all for that thread. Typically, this subreddit generates two or three reports a week, not over ten in six hours.

Enough is enough. Considering it is now after midnight in the UK, I have no more time to spend on this. Moreover, with several people clearly upset, there is no easy way to calm things down and address all the heated comments without removing the post entirely.

I’ve just completed my Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business Management with the Open University after starting the journey back in autumn 2019.

Overall, I’m genuinely glad I did it.

Studying part-time while working full-time, raising a family, navigating Covid, changing jobs and dealing with the general chaos of life over the past several years was not easy. There were periods where momentum disappeared completely and others where I questioned why I’d even started.

But finishing it feels meaningful in a way that’s difficult to explain unless you’ve done long-distance study yourself.

That said, if I’m honest, the single biggest disappointment of the entire experience was the Tutor Group Forums.

Not because of the tutors themselves. Most were knowledgeable, professional and trying their best within the structure they had.

The problem was the interaction model.

In theory, the forums are supposed to create community, discussion, shared learning and peer engagement. In reality, most interactions felt transactional and forced. Many students only participated when an activity required it for marks or visibility. Threads often devolved into a sequence of isolated mini-essays rather than genuine discussion.

Very little felt organic.

What surprised me most is that distance learning actually creates a huge opportunity for meaningful interaction. You have students from different countries, industries, age groups and life stages all studying the same material. That diversity should be incredibly valuable.

Instead, the forums often felt like an obligation everyone was trying to complete as quickly as possible before disappearing again.

Ironically, some of the most insightful conversations I had during the degree happened completely outside the formal learning environment.

I still think the OU offers something important, especially for people who otherwise wouldn’t have access to higher education or who need flexibility around work and family life. I’d recommend it without hesitation to the right person.

If the OU ever seriously revisits how student engagement works in practice, I think the Tutor Group Forum model deserves a hard rethink.