Study routes

Is the Open University Worth It? An Honest Answer

Written by STEMLaunch Editorial Team

Last updated 15 September 2026 · 10 min read

Is an Open University degree worth the time and cost? Compare flexibility, recognition, study demands and who distance learning suits best.

The Open University raises a question that traditional universities rarely face: will employers take the degree seriously? That concern is understandable, especially when you are considering years of study around work, family or other responsibilities.

The short answer is yes, an Open University degree can be worth it. The more useful answer depends on how you learn, what career you want and whether flexible distance study solves a real problem for you.

What is the Open University?

The Open University, usually shortened to the OU, is a UK public university built around distance learning. Most students study online and many combine their course with employment, caring responsibilities or a career change.

Most undergraduate courses have open entry. That means applicants are generally not asked for the same A level grades or UCAS points required by campus universities. Open entry does not mean easy study. It means the university gives more people the chance to prove themselves once the course begins.

• Study is mainly online, supported by tutors, digital materials and scheduled tutorials.
• Courses are divided into modules, so students can build a qualification in stages.
• A part time degree often takes around six years, while faster routes may be available.
• Many students continue working while they study.
• Some courses carry accreditation from relevant professional bodies.

Is an Open University degree respected?

An OU degree is a recognised UK university qualification. Employers that recruit nationally, including public services and large companies, are generally familiar with it. The university has also taught working adults for decades, so its model is not a recent experiment.

In an application, the way you use the experience matters. Completing a degree alongside a job can demonstrate organisation, persistence and the ability to work independently. Those qualities are useful, but they do not replace relevant experience, a portfolio or professional registration where a role requires them.

For regulated careers, check the exact course rather than relying on the university name alone. Accreditation can differ between qualifications, and some careers require practical training or postgraduate study after the degree.

The strongest reasons to choose the OU

You can keep earning while you learn

For many students, this is the deciding factor. Staying in work can reduce the financial disruption of studying and lets you build experience at the same time. If your job is connected to your subject, you may be able to apply new knowledge immediately.

Entry is more accessible

A difficult school experience does not have to close the door on higher education. Open entry gives career changers, mature learners and people without traditional qualifications another route into degree level study.

The pace can fit around real life

A conventional timetable can be impossible if you work shifts, care for someone or manage a health condition. Distance learning creates more room to plan study around those commitments. It is still demanding, but the timetable is less rigid.

You can test the format before committing fully

Because qualifications are built from modules, some students begin with a certificate or an individual module. This can be a sensible way to discover whether distance learning suits you before planning a complete degree.

The drawbacks you should take seriously

Motivation has to come from you

There is no daily campus routine to carry you along. You need to protect study time, begin assignments early and ask for help when you need it. A flexible course can quickly become an overloaded course if every free evening is already spoken for.

Part time study is a long commitment

Six years can feel manageable when viewed one module at a time, but it still covers a significant part of your life. Think about whether the qualification supports a clear goal. A shorter professional course, apprenticeship or portfolio may be more direct for some careers.

The social experience is different

Online communities and tutorials can be valuable, but they are not the same as living and studying on campus. If societies, laboratories, frequent contact with classmates and a residential experience are important to you, a campus course may be a better fit.

Some subjects need careful route planning

A degree may teach the academic subject without completing every practical or professional requirement for a specific job. This is especially important in healthcare, laboratory science, engineering and psychology. Start with the career requirements, then work backwards to the course.

What does it cost?

Fees depend on where you live, the modules you choose and how quickly you study. Funding arrangements also differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For that reason, a single headline price can be misleading.

Use the current fee calculator on the official Open University website and check Student Finance guidance for your home nation before applying. Include equipment, books, travel for any optional or required sessions, and the value of your study time in your decision.

Who is it most likely to suit?

• Someone already working who needs a degree for progression or a career change.
• A learner without conventional entry qualifications who is ready for degree level work.
• A parent, carer or shift worker who needs control over study hours.
• A self directed person who is comfortable learning from written and digital materials.
• Someone with a clear career goal who has checked the relevant course requirements.

Who may prefer another route?

• A school leaver who wants the full campus and student society experience.
• Someone who learns best through regular in person contact and close supervision.
• A person targeting a practical occupation where an apprenticeship provides a faster route.
• Someone who is unsure why they need the degree and has not explored shorter alternatives.

A practical way to decide

Choose a career first, not a degree title. Read several current job adverts and note the qualifications, experience and technical skills employers request. Then compare those requirements with the modules in the course you are considering.

Next, build a realistic weekly timetable. Include work, travel, family responsibilities and rest before adding study. If the hours do not fit on paper, optimism will not create them later.

Finally, speak to current students and graduates from the specific subject. Their experience of workload, tutor support and assessment will be more useful than a general review of the university.

The bottom line

The Open University is worth it when its flexibility enables you to earn a qualification that supports a clear goal. It asks for patience and self discipline, but it can make higher education possible without asking you to put the rest of your life on hold.

It is not automatically better or worse than a campus university. It is a different route. The best choice is the one whose teaching style, professional recognition and practical demands match the life you actually have.

Frequently asked questions

Can you get a good job with an Open University degree?

Yes. An OU degree is a recognised UK qualification. Your outcome will also depend on the subject, relevant experience, the quality of your applications and any professional requirements in your chosen field.

Is the Open University easier than a traditional university?

Open entry makes it more accessible, not academically effortless. Students still complete assessed university level work, and distance learning adds the challenge of managing time independently.

Can I study an OU degree while working full time?

Many students do, but the workload must fit your circumstances. Check the expected weekly hours for each module and plan for busy assessment periods before registering.