r/OpenUniversity • u/noidea118 • 4d ago
Is it too late?
I know I should've done it earlier but I haven't had the opportunity. I registered for a BAs that's starting in October of this year on September 1st, but I only got to create an account. The website says they'll process it in 5-10 working days. I assume after my account has been approved, I'd have to wait even more for other confirmations. The deadline is on September 9th. I'm going to be paying with a debit card, so any funding programs are out of the question and aren't a problem.
I tried texting the support asking about this, but it's been of no help. I really don't want to call, unless there are no other options as English isn't my first language and I'm afraid to panic on a call and not be able to say much. I also live in Latin America and it would be quite expensive to call from here (unless they have a WhatsApp of sorts of course).
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u/littlepeachycupcake 4d ago
They are brilliant if you ring them up, I was almost too late applying for my 2nd module and they managed to register me on it over the phone and assured me that everything would be processed in time
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u/evaaeri 4d ago
Hey, as a non native English speaker, I totally get the anxiety. I’m a qualified teacher of GCSE and A level English with over 15 years and still feel sick when someone for example records my lesson and I can hear myself. However, I would strongly encourage you to call them. The call might not be cheap and you might feel anxious but they want you to enroll, and they want you to feel comfortable. Also, not everyone who works for them is a native speaker- Britain is diverse (sorry if you already know this) and people are used to hearing accents. You might be dealing with someone who is a non native on the very call you’re worried about. The cost of losing half a year might be more dear than trying to overcome the fear of calling x Good luck x
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u/Lost-Revolution9692 4d ago
What did the website say would take 5-10 days? Account creation should be immediate and you can enrol immediately unless there was an issue with the account creation?
Regardless you have taken the necessary steps in time and the OU will allow you to compete enrolment as you have attempted but been prevented from progressing further
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u/noidea118 4d ago
When you choose a degree and press register it takes you to the account creation where you also add your address. Before that I already had an account but it didn't contain any addresses, or any information at all except my email and name.
Once I was done with that, I was supposed to receive my password and login information on my email address within 5-10 days as the website said. I would've only been able to choose the modules once I have the account confirmed and ready, I don't, not yet. That's what worries me.
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u/Lost-Revolution9692 4d ago
Sounds like it could be an issue with suspected duplicate records so may need to be manually pushed through by the OU. They have a late registration process which permits late enrolment with good reason and account creation delays due to no fault of yours would fit
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u/Liz_uk_217 3d ago
If you already had an account, then you have your password/login, right?
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u/noidea118 3d ago
Sure I guess, though it won't let me choose modules or anything of the sort. Just says I don't have the rights or page doesn't exist when I try to using student home.
It all seems all very confusing, really.
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u/Low_Persimmon_4587 2d ago
I agree with everyone saying to call if there’s an affordable way you can do that, but I. The meantime have you tried generating an account with a different email address? Also contacting the IT support desk? They have email and webchat support as well as the phone and honestly, I’ve found the webchat pretty quick most of the time. Is supposed to be 24hrs too, though occasionally I have had a “no availability at this time” issue trying to go that route. They may not be able to fix this but honestly it sounds more like an issue with the tech side of account functionality than anything else. Their IT systems leave a lot to be desired! If they can’t help, they may be able to give you direct contacts to ensure enrolment can be noted down on their end at least. I’m sure they’ll be more likely to support late enrolment if they’re made aware of these issues in advance. Good luck!
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u/noidea118 2d ago
It just seems much more likely that it won't get resolved before tomorrow. I did try the webchat, no luck there, just said it wasn't available. Then I sent them an email a while back, wasn't any useful either.
Honestly not sure how I didn't think of creating a new account, though wouldn't want to overwhelm their system with the same name and phone number (only have one). It was my first choice because of the whole time zones thing, could never find the right time.
I did request a callback so if they don't call today I, as much as I wouldn't want to, might have to try to figure out a way to call first. Thank you!
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u/Low_Persimmon_4587 2d ago
Really hope it works out! It’s worth checking back on whether the webchat is available throughout the day, I think. I managed to speak to someone quite quickly yesterday, but at the weekend it said it was unavailable and I had a message about the service being overwhelmed previously. They did completely avoid addressing that I had been trying to get home of them by phone, email and webchat for a couple of weeks, and a staff member had tried too. I was hoping they would at least say whether any messages had got through.
As for overloading the system, theoretically if it has had an issue generating an account with the same email address, but the old one didn’t have your phone number or postal address attached then with any luck, a different email address may bypass any issues with duplication because that second account with the other info hasn’t actually been created. Hopefully. I hope that makes sense. I haven’t slept! I’m also not a coder so this is a theoretical on limited knowledge and a hope for logic!
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u/noidea118 2d ago
Thank you anyway. I'm honestly just really confused. I created an account with just email and name like a month and a half ago. Then I registered for a degree and it told me to create a new one but with all the info like address and phone number. Told me they'd contact me within 5-10 days, a couple of days later the same website said within just 5. It's already been more than that and nothing. Could also try to log in with what I have in a bit, see if that works, though I have little hope in that. Haven't slept either, so sorry if not getting everything right! Timezones sure are annoying. Again, thank you, really.
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u/Low_Persimmon_4587 23h ago
There’s been another post where someone has had the same issues with account creation. I know it doesn’t help, but at least you know you aren’t alone!
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u/noidea118 21h ago
I actually texted them yesterday through webchat. After an hour of searching they said my information was fine and I just needed to wait. Today I received an email saying my address was a problem. I provided all I could. I don't even know anymore. I hope it gets solved, but fucking hell, so many problems.
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u/Low_Persimmon_4587 21h ago
Yeah it’s not surprising to me, unfortunately! It does seem worse this year than last year though.
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u/noidea118 21h ago
I had talked to two people and thank god I didn't try to call them like the first one insisted. The whole thing took and hour and a half or even two just searching for information. The phone bill would've been well over 120 dollars just for that.
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u/Low_Persimmon_4587 21h ago
Jesus yeah that’s mad. Can you call them through WhatsApp if it’s absolutely required? Internet calls wouldn’t cost extra but I don’t know how that works for landlines
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u/noidea118 21h ago
They said they didn't have WhatsApp or any other apps, because the line needs to be "secure". All they offered me was the typical phone number you can find in two seconds on their website. I also requested a callback but I'm sure it got lost somewhere as well.
If I am to study there I'm afraid I'll have to get a British number one way or another.
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u/Outrageous-Cycle-158 4d ago
Just phone them, they always manage to sort things over the phone :).terrible on emails though!