Opening Doors to Opportunity with The Open University

For thousands of people balancing careers, family life and ambition, university can feel out of reach. But for over 50 years, The Open University (OU) has broken down those barriers – making it possible for students to earn a respected degree on their terms. For graduates like Sade Quintyne, studying flexibly online with the OU has allowed her to achieve a Law degree while working in the NHS and raising two children.

The Voice’s Vic Motune spoke to Sade about her experience with The Open University and how it’s allowed her to fulfil a long-held childhood dream.

Vic Motune (VM): What inspired you to study with The Open University, and how did your early school and university experiences shape that decision?

Sade Quintyne (SQ): “I went through primary school, secondary school and college, where the expectation was that university was the natural next step. I really enjoyed sociology at A-level, so I decided to study it at a face-to-face university. But after a year there, I realised degree-level sociology was nothing like I expected, and I just wasn’t enjoying it, so I came back home.

I knew I wanted to continue studying, but I wasn’t sure which direction to take. I was torn between law and healthcare because I was thinking practically about job opportunities and long-term career prospects. I started looking for online courses because I already knew traditional university life and lectures weren’t really for me. That’s when I discovered The Open University.

What appealed to me was the flexibility. I liked that I could study at my own pace and fit learning around my life and work commitments.

I enrolled on a Healthcare and Health Science degree, but after two years I realised my heart still wasn’t in it. Deep down, Law was what I’d wanted to study all along, so I made the decision to switch degrees and follow the path I was truly passionate about.”

VM: What first inspired your interest in law and made you want to pursue a Law degree?

SQ: From a very young age in primary school, I was always talking and often getting in trouble for it. I questioned everything and always had a response, even if someone said the sky was blue, I’d point out cloud details.

My mum said I always had something to say. I was very protective of others, especially with bullying or unfair treatment, and would speak up when others wouldn’t. Because of that, people said I should be a lawyer. By secondary school I started taking that seriously and felt Law might suit me. Watching shows like Suits and How to Get Away with Murder reinforced seeing myself in that world.

VM: After studying Healthcare and Health Science with The Open University and deciding it wasn’t for you, what was it about the university’s teaching and course content that made you return to study law there?

SQ: When I decided I wanted to study Law, I had just had my son, so going to a brick university didn’t feel practical as it would have meant leaving work and arranging childcare. I knew The Open University offered online learning and I was comfortable with it already. Once I confirmed they offered Law and it was a credible, well-regarded option, I felt confident choosing it and decided to go ahead.

VM: How important was the flexibility of the course and the support of tutors in helping you meet the demands of a Law degree?

SQ: The Open University’s flexibility allowed me to study for a Law degree in a way that simply wouldn’t have been possible for me otherwise.

What I found with The Open University is that there is guidance on what you should aim to do week by week, but it isn’t rigid, so you’re not penalised in the same way if life gets in the way. I was able to study at my own pace as the only fixed deadlines for my degree were assignments.

When I started my Law degree, I chose to study two modules at once so I could complete the first-year full-time.

The support team contacted me to discuss my circumstances, especially when I was on maternity leave with a new baby, and they made sure I understood what that workload would involve. I told them I knew it sounded ambitious, but I wanted to make the most of being at home and available to study.

Later, when I was pregnant with my second and experiencing severe sickness. I was able to defer my studies. I spoke to the OU student support team about my options, which was helpful in guiding my decision. I returned in 2023 to pick up where I left off. That flexibility was essential for me.

Overall, it felt like support was there if you needed it from tutors and support teams, but ultimately, you were in control of how you managed your studies which suited me.

VM: I believe you’ve also inspired your mum to study. Can you tell me more about that?

SQ: When I started my Healthcare and Health Sciencecourse with The Open University, I told my mum about going back to university and studying online. She became really interested and started looking into whether they offered courses in Childhood and Youth Studies, which is something she had always wanted to study. When we found that they did, it encouraged her to think she could also go back into education while working, just like I was doing.

I ended up supporting her through it as well, almost like her personal assistant, reminding her about deadlines and assignments because she would sometimes forget, while I was very on top of mine. It became quite funny between us, with me encouraging her to get on the laptop and keep up.

VM: You’ve described yourself as determined and have now achieved your goal of becoming a Law graduate. Looking back, what else have you learned about yourself through this journey?

SQ: I’ve learned how to better manage my priorities. I used to feel overwhelmed by everything I had to do at once, but I’ve become better at compartmentalising tasks and working out what needs doing immediately, what can wait until the end of the week, and what can be left for later. That has really helped me organise my studies alongside work and family life.

My time management has also improved, because I’ve had to learn from experience—sometimes submitting assignments at 11:59, and gradually getting better at completing work earlier in the day rather than leaving it until the last minute.

Most importantly, I’ve realised I’m far more determined than I ever thought. What started as a simple goal became a mindset of ‘I’m going to do this by any means necessary’. As I progressed through my course, that determination grew stronger, and I knew nothing was going to stop me finishing.

I dream of being a named partner in a law firm. I think about getting out of the lift and seeing my name on the door.  Now that I have graduated, my next step is to secure a training contract with a law firm, to become a solicitor and work my way up.

VM: What advice would you give to someone considering this course but worried they may not be able to balance studying with work and other responsibilities?

SQ: I would say just do it, because there’s never really a perfect time. If you wait until you’re financially stable, settled in your career, or have no other responsibilities, something will always come up to delay it. Looking back, I could have finished my Law degree years earlier if I had just started sooner, but I also see that my journey, trying different subjects first and figuring out what didn’t work, was part of the process.

Also, you can’t let other people’s expectations dictate your path. It doesn’t matter when or how you get there, as long as you do. You can achieve your degree while working, without the huge financial burden of traditional study.

It feels great to show both my family and my children that with determination and drive, you really can achieve what you set your mind to, and nothing else can stop you.

Learning That Fits Around Your Life

For many students, the ability to earn while learning is life-changing, allowing study to fit around work, parenting and other commitments. With a global community of more than 2.3 million learners, the OU offers both opportunity and support.

To explore courses, funding and applications, visit The Open University to learn more

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