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The Open University Reviews
Found 167 reviews
Approve of CEO
Peter Horrocks
59 Ratings
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)
"Great for academics--lots of flexibility"
StarStarStarStarStar- Overall
- Culture & Values
- Senior Management
RecommendsPositive OutlookI have been working at The Open University full-time for more than 20 years
Pros
As an academic you have no lectures to give so it is possible for academics to live quite distant from campus and come in only for meetings. You get a lot of support for developing high quality teaching material and the satisfaction of knowing it will be used by many, not just the 30-50 people you would normally see sitting in front of you in a lecture.
Cons
lack of contact with students
The Open University2019-02-06"STUDENT"
StarStarStarStarStar- Overall
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Compensation and Benefits
I have been working at The Open University part-time
Pros
Friendly, informative and easily accessible
Cons
No cons to this institution
The Open University2019-03-07"Associate Lecturer"
StarStarStarStarStarRecommendsPositive OutlookI have been working at The Open University part-time
Pros
Flexible working hours, ability to work from home, great support and training
Cons
Salary and pensions behind the public sector
The Open University2019-02-27"Student review"
StarStarStarStarStar- Overall
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Compensation and Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at The Open University part-time
Pros
Good for independent study, brilliant support.
Cons
Not enough engagement with prospective employers eg work/summer placements.
The Open University2019-01-20"Associate Lecturer Interview"
StarStarStarStarStar- Career Opportunities
RecommendsNeutral OutlookDisapproves of CEOI worked at The Open University
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.
The Open University2019-01-01"Great"
StarStarStarStarStarI worked at The Open University full-time for more than 2 years
Pros
Great Fun Relaxed self motivating
Cons
Hard work sometimes on your own
The Open University2018-12-10"You feel that you're really making a difference"
StarStarStarStarStar- Overall
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Compensation and Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsNeutral OutlookNo Opinion of CEOI have been working at The Open University full-time for more than 6 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!
The Open University2018-11-19"Telephone Fundraiser, Development Office"
StarStarStarStarStarI 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
The Open University2018-11-03"Overall ok."
StarStarStarStarStar- Overall
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Compensation and Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsNeutral OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at The Open University full-time for more than 2 years
Pros
Caring environment. Good team members
Cons
It’s a bit slow for decision making
The Open University2018-10-12"Good Place"
StarStarStarStarStar- Overall
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Compensation and Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsNeutral OutlookDisapproves of CEOI have been working at The Open University for more 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)
The Open University2018-10-10
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Found 167 reviews