References
References for job applications and further study
Potential employers usually expect you to put them in touch with two or three referees who can give independent verification of your experience, skills and qualities.
You can ask previous employers to give you a reference, whether from paid or unpaid work, and also appropriate academic contacts from university study who can comment on your commitment and achievements (see below re. references from the OU).
Who to ask
Choose someone who can comment most effectively on your ability to perform successfully in the role.
Don’t use
- a relative
- someone who doesn’t know you in the relevant context (unless you are using them as a character reference)
- an employer from long ago, unless you are still in touch with them or have no alternatives.
Remember to ask before giving their name as a referee.
Find out if there are any limitations to the reference they can provide. For example some organisations only provide limited, standard references, just confirming you worked with them and were satisfactory. If appropriate, tell them about the job so they can make relevant comments.
References from the OU
Students often ask the OU for references. Your regional or national director can send an academic reference on your behalf to a third party, such as a prospective employer, giving details of your progress as a student. You may also ask your tutor if he or she is willing to contribute to a reference which can be sent by the regional or national centre. However, tutors are not obliged to provide comments to a reference.
Getting a reference
Before an academic reference can be written you need to
- send your request via Learner Support in your regional or national centre by either letter or email, as your written authorisation is required before the OU can release your academic information to a third party.
- provide a day time telephone contact number in case there are any queries in relation to your request.
- make sure you allow plenty of time as it may take up to 21 days for the request to be processed
- provide information about the job or study you are applying for and details of to whom the reference should be sent and their postal address, to help the person compiling the reference to comment appropriately. In the case of UCAS and GTTR applications we would normally attach the academic reference to your online application.
The OU will advise you when the reference has been sent.
Please remember that as the Open University is a distance learning organisation, members of staff are unable to comment on your character or personal qualities, and the reference provided will be purely academic.
You can get a Statement of Academic Record (a record of the courses (modules) you’ve passed, or incomplete qualifications), or an Academic Transcript (a record of your completed qualifications) from the Qualifications area of StudentHome.
Alternatively, you can obtain these by contacting:
Student Registration and Enquiry Service PO Box 197
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6BJ
Email: general-enquiries@open.ac.uk
Tel: 0845 300 6090