Open University job reviews

Showing 6 reviews

• Best thing

  Free study for permanent staff and hybrid working.

  Worst thing

  A planning team will sort out your schedules as opposed to managers and the planning team have no clue about he individuals skills set so this results I'm them putting advisors on work streams where they do not know how to do things properly or they do a bad job of it. Higher ups make decisions that make no sense for the student recruitment and support team and we are not asked about our feedback which ultimately leads to unnecessary of helpful changes that make the job even more stressful. More work gets piled on the student recruitment team each year due to 'budget cuts' when we are already get the least pay out of the whole support team umbrella. There is no incentive to perform higher than average because there are no bonuses or rewards in any shape of form (however, student recruitment In Wales and Scotland supposedly get bonuses when we end up taking most of their calls and emails for the year anyway). Also be prepared to be disappointed over Christmas because each individual within their team has to pay for their Christmas meal and this has to be arranged by the team and if you decide you don't want to then you are made to work. Very difficult to progress within the OU as the OU prefers to hire externally. When we go into the office, each staff member has to bring their own tea and coffee in including mugs, sugar and milk. I have worked at call centres that have the ability to provide a free tea and coffee machine, but the OU cannot for their front facing team. Training was sub par and does not prepare you for the role at all. Specialist teams get an hour lunch and get paid more for doing less work, but general student recruitment will only get half an hour lunch.

  3.5

  Student support at Open University, January 2026

• Best thing

  the pay is good for university students working in the summer there. I’ve gotten extra cash to pay my rent and other expenses when I’m in uni.

  Worst thing

  Obviously the people you will be calling some of them are understanding but some of them are aggressive. Another thing is when I’m struggling at the start and unsure of something tried to speak with the team managers for help but they’re kind of responded vaguely or use this to find the information

  3.7

  Employee at Open University, June 2025

• Best thing

  Amazing staff, great progression and excellent training frequently.

  Worst thing

  I feel the salary for the front line work we do could be reevaluated and considered for increase and bonuses.

  Not much overtime options.

  9.0

  Employee at Open University, March 2024

• Best thing

  The people who are not middle management.

  Worst thing

  Too many middle managers, micromanaging and do not listen to Frontline staff, very old software and CRM systems that stop working virtually every week.

  8.0

  Employee at Open University, July 2023

• Best thing

  The people, my team, helping students

  Worst thing

  Other departments incompetence, lack of career progression, poor communication

  9.9

  Student support at Open University, March 2021

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• Best thing

  Friendly workplace, no shouting from managers, open plan office, 6 weeks holiday a year

  Worst thing

  Shift work, slow to change or adapt

  9.7

  Employee at Open University, June 2020