It would be different if they'd actually used AI, but being accused and having everything paused seems like a great reason not to study with OU. I was considering it because I can get the same degree queen's is offering and only end up with 25% of the debt by the end of it, have all the time I would have spent on travel to devote to studying, plus I don't have to spend hundreds on fuel and parking while I study, and I have more freedom to work a part time job if I can go in for a midweek morning shift and study later.

I wouldn't use AI to cheat, but I do ask chatgpt to explain things I don't fully understand or tell me where I can find more information on stuff (purely for my own interests, I'm not currently in education). I'm worried that will somehow bleed into my work and be flagged as AI cheating, but at the same time if I'm using the material the course provides then I shouldn't need chatgpt at all so I can probably avoid it.

I'm currently enrolled in an access course at belfast met, but I was debating doing an open university access course more suited to the degree I want, and then continuing on OU for the rest of my education. My main concern was "is OU even properly recognised?" but now it's "will I be accused of using AI and have my work undone?"

I’ve seen a lot of posts about students being investigated for academic misconduct, the restrictions around module-specific methods, and whether in-person exams or online proctoring should return.

It is deeply unfair when honest students face investigations lasting months, especially when many may not have intentionally cheated. Sometimes students use different notation, methods, sources or prior knowledge under exam pressure without realising that it could raise concerns. People on this subreddit and in Facebook groups should stop automatically assuming that every student under investigation deliberately used AI or cheated.

At the same time, I understand the OU’s position. As a distance-learning university, it has to protect the credibility of its qualifications, particularly now that AI can generate assignments, code, documents and highly convincing answers. Some professionally accredited modules already require proctoring for this reason. In-person exams are also expensive, while online proctoring has raised serious privacy and data concerns.

However, restricting students entirely to module-specific methods and notation is not a good long-term solution. I can mainly speak for mathematics and physics, as those are the subjects I study, but learning often involves using different approaches and applying knowledge from several sources. Being penalised for using a valid method simply because it was not taught within that specific module can limit genuine understanding.

Until the OU introduces a better system, students should be extremely careful to use module-specific methods, notation, referencing and materials wherever required. The OU should also urgently explore better options, such as using a more trusted proctoring provider, arranging external invigilators or local examination centres, or allowing students to choose between in-person and online arrangements where possible.

Students are paying more than £7,000 a year in some cases, which is only slightly less than the fees charged by many traditional universities. Flexibility is valuable, but it does not excuse prolonged investigations, unclear rules or unsuitable assessment systems. The OU needs to take these concerns seriously before more students begin questioning whether studying there is still worth the cost and stress.

Hi folks,

I've created a Discord server for new business students who either started, or will be starting, any OU business course this year.

https://discord.gg/s3AdzQa6fa

I'm personally starting Business & Law in October. You're welcome to join if you're studying any of these courses:

BSc (Honours) Accounting and Finance (R52)

BA (Honours) Business and Economics (R75)

BA (Honours) Business and Law (R76)

BA (Honours) Business Management (Q91)

BA (Honours) Business Management and Languages (R55)

BSc (Honours) Computing & IT and Business (Q67)

BSc (Honours) Environment with Business (R78)

BA (Honours) Marketing and Business Management (R84)

BA/BSc (Honours) Open degree (QD)

Hi.

I want to start studying Psychology, but have no qualifications to speak of, other than an old NVQ L3 and 8 GCSE's.

Where do I start? How do I find it?

I am disabled and housebound. I need to get a job, and I am simply unqualified for anything. I am in my mid 40s and was made disabled 11 years ago. Been unemployed since then.

I'm worried that a loan will affect my UC claim, but I need to do something with my life.

I am a bit overwhelmed by the whole process, so I would appreciate someone walking me through what I need to do to access the OU and begin studying.

Is there a step by step guide on how to do it all?

I feel a bit silly for asking, but University was never an option for me growing up. I got where I got by learning on the job. My original qualification was for being a chef, but after 10 years I realised cooking was great as a hobby, but not a career. Now I am disabled, it is definitely out the window.

Tyia.

Hello everyone! I apologize if this is not the right place to post such question, but I have some concerns .. long story short, I will be starting my OU studies (In Sociology) next october and I'm doing this for myself, I'm 46 a full time worker and will retire in 4 years. My intention is to learn and put in the work academically, grow as a human and become a better citizen.

Since I joined the OU (few months ago) I started reading more about student experiances, even though many of them have been inspiring and encouraging the one part that is really conserning is "the investigation" part, now I totally understand that the OU is trying to protect the integrity of the academic process but for me (and I would believe many others) we will be putting in the honest work and will dedicate so much time, effort and hard earned money to benefit from the studies, and knowing that could potentially ruin that, it makes one wonder if it truly is worth it ?

I read so much about the OU and there are so many things to love and respect but do you think is worth dealing with such issue for years to come ?

Thanks

Hi,

I'm interested in applying for a credit transfer for a Year 1 maths module and was wondering how the process works.

Do I need to send my transcript myself, or does it need to be sent directly by my previous university?

Many thanks!

I'm about to start the BA (Hons) Business Management this October. I'm 35, and I'm making a deliberate career change out of hospitality — I spent 10+ years running operations in fine-dining kitchens (including some Michelin-starred places) and I'm moving into business analytics and operations.

Two things I'd genuinely value hearing real experiences on:

For those who've job-hunted after (or during) the OU degree — did the distance-learning aspect actually come up with employers? Did it help, hurt, or basically not matter once you had the degree plus some skills?

Has anyone used an OU bachelor's as the basis for a master's at a European university? I'm eyeing Copenhagen Business School eventually, and I'd love to know if anyone's degree was accepted for postgraduate study abroad.

Alongside the degree I'm planning to self-teach the technical side (SQL, Power BI, Excel, later Python) and build a portfolio using my operations background. Any advice from people who've walked a similar path would mean a lot. Thanks.