The Open University, Walton Hall 'walk-thru'

As someone with an addiction to further education, I can say the OU is just about THE GREATEST, for quality, materials, help, customer service, interest and range of courses!

I have just finished a degree with the OU. Without exception the course materials were first class, the level of tutor and peer support was impressive and the structure of the courses was excellent.

I am now studying with Oxford University and in my experience the Open University compares favourably with Oxford in all areas.

The OU is a fantastic organisation and the academic rigour required to do well and the professionalism of the staff shames many of our "newer" brick universities.

In Art History I have been given higher scores for using texts outside the set texts. Study materials are available electronically, but for example for Art History, there are copyright restrictions on images. The OU have responded to this by issuing the texts electronically but without the images. The OU also now offer video material on iTunes U.

Collaboration on assignments is cheating, but the OU encourage students to help each other out to understand course materials using FirstClass.

I have been a student at the OU for the last six years and I do not share vestsida's views. I have always had detailed comments back on my TMA's, which cover the entire scope of the course. The exam is there to ensure that you can explain key concepts without the use of textbooks and within a set time. The OU do not allow resits for the simple reason that people would continually resit until they passed, which would undermine the value of results.

Not a very inspirational video, like many of the courses that I have studied with them I'm afraid to say.

They do allow resits if your exam results are just below the pass mark (bare fail). They also offer resubmission on examinable work that is bare fail.

I think that the OU is now introducing more of their course electronically. The essay submission is done electronically which is good.

At some other university's it seems students do get the help they need. My cousin studied nursing at uni in Manchester and failed 3 of her assignments but got the chance to do them again. The second time getting help from her lecturer. If you fail any with the OU you have to do the whole course again, which I think is wrong.