I decided to study with the Open University last year and selected the Social Science course DD100. The course was only released last year and so the material was very up-to-date and engaging.
I have tried to study at evening classes before taking up the degree course, but had never succeeded in lasting out the course. I found the Open University's method of teaching to be just what I needed. It is affordable for starters (I paid about £400 for last years course in instalments, this included all course materials and tutorials).It also allowed me to be very flexible in when I chose to study, and I ended up going to every tutorial because I wanted to be there, rather than having to turn up. Because you have all the study materials already (you don't get homework set at the tutorial like and evening class) you go to the tutorials ready to get out of the class what you need to continue your next weeks worth of study, rather than purely listening to your tutor and this is rather empowering. My husband had a couple of stays in hospital last year and I still managed to hand in my assignments on time, simply because I could study at his bedside or at strange hours of the night or morning.

I passed the DD100 course with 82% which I was very pleased with. I had made consistent progress in my essay writing.

This year I am studying for D213 'Understanding Modern Societies' which has less tutorial support than the Level 1 courses, and so can feel a bit lonely, but all the course materials are still fantastic and I know I can speak to my tutor or counsellor every evening if I need assistance.

I would recommend the Open University to anyone.