Is an Open University degree different?
Open University degrees, like degrees from any university, are widely recognised higher-education qualifications. You’ll do the same level of work as you would at a ‘brick’ university, and you’ll be assessed to internationally recognised standards.
But by studying using our distance learning methods, you’ll be able to organise your study more flexibly around your life, your job, your caring responsibilities and hobbies. It depends how much you want to take on, but most of our graduates take between six and seven years to get an honours degree. Depending on your commitments, you may be able to study more quickly, and many students take longer with their studies.
A degree in a named subject
For a degree in a named subject, for example in business studies or humanities, you’ll study mainly in your chosen subject, although you can usually include some modules from other subjects too. Almost all these degrees are ‘honours degrees’. When you get a degree it is ‘graded’ into one of four classes: 1 (first – the highest level), 2.1 (upper second), 2.2 (lower second) or 3 (third).
An Open degree
Our most popular degree, awarded either with or without honours, lets you create a qualification that is tailored to your needs and interests. You can combine a range of modules from similar or different subjects to suit either your particular career or personal interests.
You can opt for a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BSc). Find out more by reading our 'Open qualifcations' page.