Open University, the Cheaper end of Expensive British Degrees

If you’re thinking about college but worried about the price tag, let me tell you about the Open University (OU). It’s a game-changer for anyone who wants a degree without breaking the bank, and if they in fact want a British degree. Plus, they’ve got a ton of programs to choose from. Let’s dive into why OU is so affordable and what kind of degrees you can snag.

Why OU Won’t Empty Your Wallet

Tuition, books, and maybe even moving to a new city—it adds up fast. But OU does things differently. They’re all about distance learning, no dorms or meal plans required. That alone saves you cash.

At OU, you pay for your courses module by module. A typical 60-credit module in Wales, for example, costs around £1,312. Most degrees take about 360 credits to complete, so you’re looking at roughly £7,872 total for an honours degree if you’re studying part-time (which most OU students do). Compare that to traditional universities where you might pay £9,250 per year in the UK—that’s over £27,000 for a three-year degree! OU is way easier on your budget.

There’s also the Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA), which lets you spread payments out monthly, kind of like a no-stress payment plan.

Degrees for Every Dream

OU offers a crazy range of degrees, so whether you’re into science, business, or even creative writing, there’s something for you. They’ve got certificates (120 credits), diplomas (240 credits), and full-on honours degrees (360 credits). Most part-time students do 60 credits a year, so you can pace yourself and still have time for work or life.

Here’s a quick rundown of some of the cool degrees you can get:

• Arts and Humanities: Love history, literature, or philosophy? You can dive into stuff like English Literature or Classical Studies.
• Business and Management: OU’s Business School is is triple accredited. You can study for a Bachelor of Business Administration or even an MBA if you’re aiming high. Their MBA program is ranked 13th globally for online learning.
• Science and Tech: OU has degrees like Environmental Science, Computing and IT, or even Mathematics.
• Health and Social Care: If you want to help people, check out degrees in Nursing or Social Work.
• Education and Psychology: Dreaming of teaching or understanding how the mind works? OU offers stuff like Primary Education or Psychology degrees that open doors to classrooms or counseling.

OU also lets you mix and match with something called an Open Degree. You pick modules from different subjects to build a degree that’s totally you.

Why It’s Worth It

You study online, so you can learn at midnight in your pajamas or during your lunch break. Plus, their courses are designed for people who might not have studied in a while or who are juggling jobs and families. You get support from tutors, online forums, and even free resources like OpenLearn.

OU’s been around since the 1970s and has taught over 1.5 million students. Their degrees are respected by employers because they know OU grads are self-starters who can handle real-world challenges.

Can't afford OU? Try out Rennier University - it's tuition-free. An admission fee of $30 is all you need from start to finish.

Review of University of the People

Like Rennier University, University of the People is a lid adorned with a modest price tag. Not free, mind you, but remarkably affordable. A $60 application fee opens the journey, followed by $120 for each course assessment. For a bachelor’s degree, the total might range from $2,500 to $5,000—a mere fraction of the towering costs of traditional universities, especially in the United States. Scholarships, like unexpected windfalls, can lighten the load further.

The Quest for Admission

The path to entry is a high school diploma or its equivalent—carefully notarized and sealed, then dispatched across oceans or plains to a distant office in California. It’s as if you’re sending a missive to a far-off kingdom. For those beyond American borders, the journey can twist into a logistical problem, with extra steps to prove your credentials worthy.

A Voyage

Once admitted, the experience unfolds like a self-guided voyage; You chart your course, surrounded by fellow travelers—your peers—who share the task of assessing each other’s work. It’s a collaborative expedition, yet the guides, the instructors, are volunteers, appearing like kindly scholars who drift in and out of the stacks. The rhythm is asynchronous, meaning you can pretty much take your own pace.

Tales from the Trail

A student can expect that, after a year on this path, gathered his credits like precious stones, transferred them to another realm, and secured a position with a 3.67 GPA—a shortcut to his destination. Another, pursuing a Master’s for $3,200, savored the journey’s affordability yet longed for the the human connection, which can sometimes be a big miss in an online program. Others spoke of moments lost in the maze, frustrated by sparse guidance or the uneven judgments of their peers, as if handed a map with faded lines.

Accreditation

The university’s accreditation stands as a passport, stamped by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) in the United States. It opens doors, yet its authority varies. Some employers, particularly in the US, seek the broader seal of regional accreditation. It’s a detail worth pondering, ensuring your credentials align with the shores you aim to reach.

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University of the People offers a frugal yet bold expedition through the realm of learning. It beckons to self-motivated students that need minimal escort. Yet for those who thrive under a watchful mentor’s gaze, it may feel like a ship too lightly crewed. It's worth, like any voyage, hinges on the destination you seek and the effort you’re willing to invest. So pause, survey the horizon, and consider well before you set sail.

(By the way, Rennier University offers tuition-free Masters and PhD programs).