The Open University Reviews | Glassdoor.co.uk
The Open University Reviews
Companies
  • Jobs
  • Companies
  • Salaries
  • Interviews

    The Open University Reviews

    Updated 9 January 2019
    163 reviews

    Filter

    Filter

    3.4
    StarStarStarStarStar
    Rating TrendsRating Trends
    Recommend to a friend
    Approve of CEO
    The Open University Vice-Chancellor Peter Horrocks
    Peter Horrocks
    58 Ratings

    Employee Reviews

    Sort: PopularRatingDate
    Pros

    • "Great company to work, the work-life balance is excellent" (in 13 reviews)

    • "Always used to be a good working environment and supportive colleagues" (in 11 reviews)

    Cons

    • "Senior management like headless chickens" (in 9 reviews)

    • "Bullying culture, micro-management, not a lot of support and no opportunities for career progression" (in 8 reviews)

    More Pros and Cons

    1. "Great"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee in Milton Keynes, England
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee in Milton Keynes, England

      I worked at The Open University full-time (More than a year)

      Pros

      Great Fun Relaxed self motivating

      Cons

      Hard work sometimes on your own

    2. "Associate Lecturer Interview"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Career Opportunities
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Recommends
      Neutral Outlook
      No opinion of CEO

      Pros

      Can complete their application form once and submit for multiple vacancies.

      Cons

      Pay is poor.
      If you ask for feedback following an interview don't expect much depth to it.

      Advice to Management

      Give proper feedback.
      Please bear in mind that accepting someone for the role but not appointing them ultimately creates a lot of disappointment.

      3. Join the The Open University team
      See Our Latest Jobs

    3. "You feel that you're really making a difference"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Staff Tutor in Milton Keynes, England
      Current Employee - Staff Tutor in Milton Keynes, England
      Recommends
      Neutral Outlook
      Disapproves of CEO

      I have been working at The Open University full-time (More than 5 years)

      Pros

      The OU has a clear and understandable mission which colleagues buy into. Also, those colleagues that I closely work with are awesome; at my level (role: staff tutor), there's a really supportive and helpful culture, which I really appreciate. Everyone mucks in to get things done. Course fee waivers allow you to study. There's a lot of flexibility.

      Cons

      There's a lot of work to be done, and it can easily take over your life completely. Sometimes there's a bit of a disconnect between higher levels of management and the rest of the university, but thankfully things are now a lot better than they work.

      Advice to Management

      Cut the admin workload for some academic staff. Make sure that the next vice chancellor actually has a background in higher education; this is really important!

    4. "Telephone Fundraiser, Development Office"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee

      I worked at The Open University part-time

      Pros

      The OU is well-known for its outstanding commitment to education and this ethos is carried through even down to this small call centre. The team are friendly. I had never done telephone fundraising before but it is worth doing for the OU's many causes in the UK and worldwide

      Cons

      I only stopped because I had no other business at the OU. The shift patterns are awkward, but possibly well suited to someone already working part-time in another job on the same site

      Advice to Management

      I'm not really in a position to advise; the Development Office functions quite well

    5. "Overall ok."

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Project Manager in Milton Keynes, England
      Current Employee - Project Manager in Milton Keynes, England
      Recommends
      Neutral Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at The Open University full-time (More than a year)

      Pros

      Caring environment. Good team members

      Cons

      It’s a bit slow for decision making

    6. "Good Place"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Student Recruitment Advisor in Manchester, England
      Current Employee - Student Recruitment Advisor in Manchester, England
      Recommends
      Neutral Outlook
      No opinion of CEO

      I have been working at The Open University (Less than a year)

      Pros

      Support from peers and managers
      In-depth training
      Rewarding job

      Cons

      Unhelpful or belittling staff (not in my office but across OU)

    7. "resistant to change"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Doesn't Recommend
      Negative Outlook
      Disapproves of CEO

      I have been working at The Open University full-time

      Pros

      great colleagues; free to work own wprk pattern

      Cons

      poor overall conditions; precarious employment; you rarely teach what you prepare; limited research facilities; inefficient processes; poor office environment

      Advice to Management

      be more open

    8. "A great paid hobby with a fantastic organisation!"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Associate Lecturer in Telford, England
      Current Employee - Associate Lecturer in Telford, England
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Disapproves of CEO

      I have been working at The Open University part-time (More than 3 years)

      Pros

      Able to work from home. Great experiences helping students learn.

      Cons

      Poor pay considering the hours spent

      Advice to Management

      Listen to the needs of associate lecturers more

    9. Helpful (1)

      "Working in Student Services"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Doesn't Recommend
      Neutral Outlook
      Disapproves of CEO

      I worked at The Open University part-time

      Pros

      Inclusive, disability friendly, great colleagues. Good benefits (e.g excellent holiday entitlement)

      Cons

      Senior management is out of touch with work of front line staff, and staff lack autonomy to manage their own work. Micro management. OU ethos and cultural values being eroded.

      Advice to Management

      Listen to your staff, and respect their professionalism.

    10. "A pleasure to work here"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook

      I have been working at The Open University full-time

      Pros

      lots of holiday, relaxed environment

      Cons

      currently going though big changes

      Advice to Management

      prepare for lots of sideways moves