The class of 1983: insights to OU study 40 years ago

In the Business School’s 40th anniversary year, we asked graduates who embarked on our very first module in 1983, The Effective Manager, to share their memories.

From hand-written assignments, to catching BBC2 tutorials on Sunday lunchtime, to course material on VHS cassettes and those with dial-up internet having an advantage, our alumni reflected on their journeys and some of the differences in studying back in ‘83.

Entry routes and motivations

Each graduate had a different story about their route into study and their reasons for starting the programme – from those choosing to self-fund in order to gain new skills or advance in their careers; to those whose employers sponsored their studies in order to upskill existing staff.

Lawrence Searby recalled being enticed by The Times advert with an introductory offer on the new OU Business School core module: “This looked like a good opportunity to expand my business knowledge and become a more rounded and effective accountant and auditor. I was self-funding at this stage, and this looked like a good investment.”

While Chris Wray, who was working for British Caledonian (later acquired by British Airways), said: “The airline was working towards being self-sustaining in the development of future management, and somebody in HR or Engineering management suggested I take on this OU study to enhance my expertise, which they would sponsor.”

Barry Newby wanted to progress his management skills to progress in his career. “I was very keen to develop my management potential and embarked on business studies with the OU to achieve this. My studies complemented the roles I was doing and very quickly I was able to make progress into senior management positions.”

Alan Wiltshire was among 40 engineers who were put on the course when it first began and said: “For an engineer without any formal management training, it was a great introduction.”

Continued development

Having realised how beneficial study was to their individual careers, many of these graduates went on to complete an MBA.

Barry said: “Later in my career – I was in my late 40s – I decided to undertake the OU MBA. I needed to demonstrate that I could operate at a very senior level in business if I wanted to progress my career further, and I feel like the MBA programme gave me the confidence, knowledge, and skills to accomplish this. I completed the MBA aged 52 after four or five years of study.”

Chris chose to study a single course at a time over the span of 12 years and said:

“This allowed me to work on my studies at the same time as pursuing my career, and practice much of the academic study in sync with my working life, enhancing both. The courses I studied were nearly always very relevant to my work role at the time. I was studying ‘Managing People’ at the same time as I first line managed; I was studying the IT course at the time I started project managing a technology-leading IT project; I was studying Strategic Management when we were purchased by General Electric.”

After joining the original programme, Alan was keen to maintain the momentum of his studies: “Over the next 11 years, I had to talk my next two companies into permitting me to complete some OU Business School courses and I eventually completed the Certificate, Diploma and then my MBA.”

The differences between then and today

In just 40 years, technological advancements have revolutionised the way we live, work and study. As a specialist in distance learning, the OU has always championed the ability to fit education around life commitments, but this style of study looked very different four decades ago.

Lawrence recalled: “You were reliant on the BBC2 broadcasts usually over Sunday lunchtime, not especially convenient, as at the time I did not have a recording facility and they were not available as a cassette. TMAs (tutor marked assignments) were, of course, handwritten, and I remember how my hand ached after the three-hour exam!”

Alan added: “I remember in 1990 when undertaking finance studies with the MBA, many students complained that those with online ‘dial-up’ access to the OU networks had, what they considered, an unfair advantage as we were interacting more regularly with our associates and getting higher scores.”

Chris continued: “All I remember about my studies at the time is that they were mostly paper based, with quite a few VHS videos and some audio cassettes. There were a few in-person tutor sessions, and most courses had a short summer school.”

And another graduate, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “In those days before the internet, we thankfully had a postal service where a first-class stamp almost guaranteed delivery of my assignments the next morning. And although there was no internet, we had a good local library with a business books section.”

Reflecting on the impact of their studies

While many had different routes into study and unique experiences, the one overarching theme is that their studies have, in some way, played an impactful role in their lives.

Barry said: “I don’t believe I would have progressed as well as I did in business if it wasn’t for the knowledge I gained from the OU studies. After I became the CEO of an ailing business responsible for turning it around, I realised that my knowledge from the MBA was the backbone for most of my planning and future development for the ongoing success of that business.”

Lawrence reflected: “Leaving financial services at the time of graduation, I was well served to continue my career in the NHS and education, so the hard work was worth it. Now retired, I do believe that the qualification has both helped and enriched my career.”

Our anonymous alumnus used the knowledge and skills gained from the MBA to implement successful changes within his organisation, and later being promoted, said: “There is no doubt that I could not have followed this path without the knowledge gained through the OU MBA.”

And being able to work alongside study proved a real benefit for Alan who said: “It was a great way for someone holding down a day job to obtain management training. I have only just retired this year but still do some consultancy work, most weeks.”

Chris added that, while his studies didn’t directly affect his career path, the “indirect benefits have been huge”. He continued: “I can definitely say that the benefits of my OU study have led to enhancement of my capabilities, enjoyment of my career, and now my contributions in voluntary roles.”

Coming full circle

It is inspiring to learn that their experiences have also influenced future generations as one graduate confirmed: “One side effect of studying with the OU is that my children saw that working hard is necessary to achieve your goals. Both became high achievers in their chosen professions.”

While the boyfriend of Barry’s granddaughter is now beginning his own path with the OU Business School – we wish him as much enjoyment and success as his predecessors as he embarks on this exciting journey!