# Transcript

SPEAKER 1
And why did you study social work at The Open University, and what are its benefits?
SPEAKER 2
So I undertook the Open University postgrad diploma in social work because I was offered the opportunity through my local authority to do the studentship route. And there was a partnership established already with The Open University. However, my experience with The Open University was actually really good, really positive. What I found was the structure of the course allowed me to plan when I was going to study, what I was going to study and how. My partner at home worked shifts. So this was really ideal doing online learning because I didn't have to commit to traveling to University. I didn't have to take time out of maybe spending time with him at home. I could really focus on having that work-life balance.
SPEAKER 3
So my employer choose the Open University. It's great. I live up North in Scotland in a rural community. So is-- it would be the only way for me to access the courses. Flexible, it's accessible is-- The quality of the resources is astounding. The tutors, they are great. Overall is a great University to study for with like get them done. Sometimes online learning has a stigma, but the Open University takes the stigma and turn upside down because the quality is incredible.
SPEAKER 4
Yeah, well, I suppose the flexibility has been fantastic. And I think even in terms of the modules because I actually started down another route and then switched to social work. And I've been able to have that flexibility and even access the modules on the go. Quite often, I'll sit outside school at school pick up and read through some of the online materials. And it's just that flexibility of being able to balance everything has been really good.
SPEAKER 5
Chose Open University because it was flexible really. I was at a stage in life where I didn't want to go back to. I had financial commitments as part of it, and I needed to work. I also felt that I had passed the stage of quite typical university days. I had done university before, and I'd had my student experience. And so I just wanted to keep working but study on the side. It fit really well with what I had brought to in terms of my previous education, my previous qualifications. And so it was accessible in that sense.