Does it sound better to have an 'Open' Degree or a Subject Degree?

I'm in Denmark and my experience so far is that Denmark prefers Danish degrees. So I am researching the possibility to continue my degree here, but it may not be possible, because I haven't completed my A-Levels.
Also, since it is such a small country, many people have not heard of the Open University.

I would like to finish my degree so I can study a Masters in Journalism or Psychology. So I wonder if named degrees are important when it comes to Postgraduate study. But I guess I could always continue with the OU. My only problem is funding it.

But generally, I want to study to learn, not to follow a certain career path. I want a varied knowledge of social topics, because I love writing and resourcing. I just don't know what career is right for me.

I have completed a Certificate of HE in Social Science, but would like to go further.

However, I'm having a hard time deciding whether to pursue a degree in Social Science or Open. While it sounds interesting to choose a variety of topics, I worry that I won't be taken seriously by having an Open Degree, especially since I mainly reside outside of the UK.

Can anyone enlighten me on their experience?

It is also worth noting that many people with an open degree, from the OU for example, still put a named degree on their CV which best matches the modules they've taken. I wouldn't advise this because, as a recruiter, when I checked their certificates I considered them somewhat dishonest and this isn't a risk you need to take when it's not necessary.

The OU encourages Open degree students to put a named subject on their CV if they've spent a substantial part of their degree studying that subject. There's nothing dishonest about putting 'BA (Hons) Open (French with Music)' on one's CV if that's what you've studied.

Most people I know who do an Open degree do not take a random jumble of subjects; at most they study two subjects (50:50 or 75:25 split). The OU isn't very good at offering named joint hons degrees, it's nearly impossible to study two subjects from different disciplines without doing an Open degree. If you want to study Economics and History or Geology and Geography for example, you have to do an Open degree.

Perhaps your experience is more extensive than mine, in which case I'd be interested to hear about it.

Not experience per se, but I know a good many OU students from various OU module Facebook groups and the topic of jobs/Open degrees came up a few times. I don't remember anyone ever relating a negative experience of having an Open degree. Indeed some employers posted to say they like them.

I'm doing an Open Degree. On a CV I'll list my studied subjects too - or mention it somewhere. I love the fact it's varied. I would imagine if you want a job specific to a subject it might be better to have that subject but if it's not specific then an open degree shows varied knowledge.

I plan on doing a Masters after. So I guess I'll have to specialise a bit then!

Depends on how varied it is. If modules have a similar theme or subjects are linked/compliment each other that's good. Whereas just a random selection of subjects may be seen as a lack of direction but I imagine with new prerequisite rules it's harder to get a more varied transcript as you may have to do certain modules before can do another etc. But the open degree is very good for tailoring your education based on skill set, career aims and interests. Especially when no official joint honours etc exist in the named routes. 😀


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I have completed a Certificate of HE in Social Science, but would like to go further.

However, I'm having a hard time deciding whether to pursue a degree in Social Science or Open. While it sounds interesting to choose a variety of topics, I worry that I won't be taken seriously by having an Open Degree, especially since I mainly reside outside of the UK.

Can anyone enlighten me on their experience?

Most people will think that an open degree is worse than a named degree because the perception is, rightly or wrongly, that you will have sacrificed depth for breadth and, in doing so, not learned the same skills as somebody else. I don't necessarily think this is accurate but it is how some people feel. This said, depending on what you plan to do with the degree it may not matter very much at all.

It is also worth noting that many people with an open degree, from the OU for example, still put a named degree on their CV which best matches the modules they've taken. I wouldn't advise this because, as a recruiter, when I checked their certificates I considered them somewhat dishonest and this isn't a risk you need to take when it's not necessary.

What are your career aspirations? Will it matter in the country you live in?

I'm in Denmark and my experience so far is that Denmark prefers Danish degrees. So I am researching the possibility to continue my degree here, but it may not be possible, because I haven't completed my A-Levels.
Also, since it is such a small country, many people have not heard of the Open University.

I would like to finish my degree so I can study a Masters in Journalism or Psychology. So I wonder if named degrees are important when it comes to Postgraduate study. But I guess I could always continue with the OU. My only problem is funding it.

But generally, I want to study to learn, not to follow a certain career path. I want a varied knowledge of social topics, because I love writing and resourcing. I just don't know what career is right for me.

The name of your degree won't matter very much, if at all, with regards to postgraduate applications. What will matter will be the modules you've studied as you will often need to persuade admissions staff that you have the requisite subject knowledge and relevant skills for the course.

If learning is more important to you then I would suggest doing what you think is right. Ultimately, you need to make the choice that you feel will make you happiest.

From personal experience as a recent graduate trying to find a job, I will say that employers tend to care about what you studied and your work experience rather than degree classification. I'm not saying it's right...

My friend got an open degree and struggled to find work so she has gone back to uni to do a masters in a more specific subject.

I've got my first grad job in research, but before then I used my Psychology degree to blag I was good at writing and influencing people and got work copywriting and also that I was good at understanding special educational needs and worked as a supply SEN Teaching Assistant.

Maybe if you are good at selling yourself in an interview you can use your open degree to argue it is relevant to the role? What would you like to do after university?

Hello,

I'm in my first year with the OU, and I'm working towards an Open Degree. I did (and continue to do so) question whether I should switch to a named degree, but the ability to pick and chose various subjects is worth more to me and I'm finding that sticking to one degree just wouldn't suit what I need.

I intend to move onto post-grad teacher training after my degree, so all my chosen modules I plan to take are from either the childhood and youth studies or psychology subject area. I also intend to take a 30 credit counselling module in the future as I feel it goes nicely alongside my other modules and is something i'm interested in and when working with children could be useful.

When I graduate I intend to class it as BA Hons Open Degree (Childhood Studies and Psychology).

Most people will think that an open degree is worse than a named degree because the perception is, rightly or wrongly, that you will have sacrificed depth for breadth and, in doing so, not learned the same skills as somebody else. I don't necessarily think this is accurate but it is how some people feel. This said, depending on what you plan to do with the degree it may not matter very much at all.

It is also worth noting that many people with an open degree, from the OU for example, still put a named degree on their CV which best matches the modules they've taken. I wouldn't advise this because, as a recruiter, when I checked their certificates I considered them somewhat dishonest and this isn't a risk you need to take when it's not necessary.

What are your career aspirations? Will it matter in the country you live in?

Terrible advice given in this thread.

Absolutely switch from an Open Degree to a subject, and preferably to a subject thats not narrow and is a core subject. If your spending thousands of pounds on education to make your life better and get a career, make sure its a good investment.

Employers will go through hundreds of applications from people with degrees from brick universities and be absolutely ruthless with who they shortlist. A degree from Open University will stand out from the norm so they may glance at it for an extra minute, so you have to ensure it stands out for the right reasons and not for the reason that you have a mickey mouse degree with a odd assortment of modules.

Education is a long term investment and you get ONE opportunity to have low interest funding so take full advantage and study something beneficial, its better to make a switch now than realise you made a calamity of errors in choices 10 years down the line

Sciences, Engineering, Maths, Law, computer coding.... those are the degrees that will get your the highest wages, an actual skill set, the best job prospects and ultimately a better life. Google statistics for degrees with best graduate opportunities for proof.

Terrible advice given in this thread.

Absolutely switch from an Open Degree to a subject, and preferably to a subject thats not narrow and is a core subject. If your spending thousands of pounds on education to make your life better and get a career, make sure its a good investment.

Employers will go through hundreds of applications from people with degrees from brick universities and be absolutely ruthless with who they shortlist. A degree from Open University will stand out from the norm so they may glance at it for an extra minute, so you have to ensure it stands out for the right reasons and not for the reason that you have a mickey mouse degree with a odd assortment of modules.

Education is a long term investment and you get ONE opportunity to have low interest funding so take full advantage and study something beneficial, its better to make a switch now than realise you made a calamity of errors in choices 10 years down the line

Sciences, Engineering, Maths, Law, computer coding.... those are the degrees that will get your the highest wages, an actual skill set, the best job prospects and ultimately a better life. Google statistics for degrees with best graduate opportunities for proof.

Terrible advice given in this thread.

Absolutely switch from an Open Degree to a subject, and preferably to a subject thats not narrow and is a core subject. If your spending thousands of pounds on education to make your life better and get a career, make sure its a good investment.

Employers will go through hundreds of applications from people with degrees from brick universities and be absolutely ruthless with who they shortlist. A degree from Open University will stand out from the norm so they may glance at it for an extra minute, so you have to ensure it stands out for the right reasons and not for the reason that you have a mickey mouse degree with a odd assortment of modules.

Education is a long term investment and you get ONE opportunity to have low interest funding so take full advantage and study something beneficial, its better to make a switch now than realise you made a calamity of errors in choices 10 years down the line

Sciences, Engineering, Maths, Law, computer coding.... those are the degrees that will get your the highest wages, an actual skill set, the best job prospects and ultimately a better life. Google statistics for degrees with best graduate opportunities for proof.

Typical STEM snob. In reality, the subject you study does not matter that much. The majority of graduate jobs are open to graduates of all subjects. Stop misleading people.

It matters.

I wrote unbiased advised without sugar coating it, it's not being a snob. I'm 27 and learnt the hard way having an actual skill set and a meaningful degree stands you in a good place to make something of yourself. If you need to take 2 steps back to take a step forward then do it, i.e. change degree subject then so be it. Human creation and technology is exponential and you either have the skills to go with it or in years to come you will be left behind.

If you take the approach most graduate jobs are open to graduates of all subjects, then think about this, why do a degree? What have those 3 years gained you? Have you increased your skills? Im not talking about soft skills that you can puff your CV out with, but actual measurable skills.

Do you really need a degree to do that job? Perhaps the jobs you are talking about should not require a degree and they likely ask because they can, most people have one these days.

Pick a good one, pick a core subject.

Terrible advice given in this thread.

Absolutely switch from an Open Degree to a subject, and preferably to a subject thats not narrow and is a core subject. If your spending thousands of pounds on education to make your life better and get a career, make sure its a good investment.

Employers will go through hundreds of applications from people with degrees from brick universities and be absolutely ruthless with who they shortlist. A degree from Open University will stand out from the norm so they may glance at it for an extra minute, so you have to ensure it stands out for the right reasons and not for the reason that you have a mickey mouse degree with a odd assortment of modules.

Education is a long term investment and you get ONE opportunity to have low interest funding so take full advantage and study something beneficial, its better to make a switch now than realise you made a calamity of errors in choices 10 years down the line

Sciences, Engineering, Maths, Law, computer coding.... those are the degrees that will get your the highest wages, an actual skill set, the best job prospects and ultimately a better life. Google statistics for degrees with best graduate opportunities for proof.

The OU encourages Open degree students to put a named subject on their CV if they've spent a substantial part of their degree studying that subject. There's nothing dishonest about putting 'BA (Hons) Open (French with Music)' on one's CV if that's what you've studied.

Most people I know who do an Open degree do not take a random jumble of subjects; at most they study two subjects (50:50 or 75:25 split). The OU isn't very good at offering named joint hons degrees, it's nearly impossible to study two subjects from different disciplines without doing an Open degree. If you want to study Economics and History or Geology and Geography for example, you have to do an Open degree.