Fees | Funding | Scholarships | The Open University

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Over 85% of students pay nothing up front by funding their studies with a student loan.

Qualifications at The Open University are made up of a series of modules. Every module has an individual fee – added together, they give you the total cost.

You’ll fund your modules as you study them, so you won’t have to pay for your whole qualification upfront.

The cost per year depends on how many modules you choose to take. With us, you have the flexibility to adjust the pace of your studies each year to fit around your work, family and other commitments.

Part-time study is roughly equivalent to studying at half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	2 2	£3,892 £3,892	£7,784 £7,784
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	4 4	£3,892 £3,892	£15,568 £15,568
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	6 6	£3,892 £3,892	£23,352 £23,352

Studying full-time is equivalent to studying at the same rate as a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	1 1	£7,784 £7,784	£7,784 £7,784
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	2 2	£7,784 £7,784	£15,568 £15,568
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	3 3	£7,784 £7,784	£23,352 £23,352

All OU students are considered part-time students for funding purposes, even if they study at a full-time pace. Studying at a full-time pace may affect your entitlement to certain UK Government means-tested benefits. If this applies to you, contact the Department for Work and Pensions for further advice.

Your module materials, tuition, assessment and exams are all included in our module fees.

Some additional costs aren’t included:

You can find more information about additional costs in our qualification and module descriptions.

Our qualifications are approximately 18% less than the cost of an equivalent qualification offered at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	The OU* The OU*	Campus unis Campus unis	Saving Saving
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	£7,784 £7,784	£9,535 £9,535	£1,751 £1,751
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	£15,568 £15,568	£19,070 £19,070	£3,502 £3,502
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	£23,352 £23,352	£28,605 £28,605	£5,253 £5,253

*The fee information provided above is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's

Fee Rules

**Maximum chargeable fees for 25/26 academic year.

Pay nothing upfront – over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Part-Time Tuition Fee Loan (sometimes called a student loan), meaning they pay nothing upfront.

Learn more about this and our other funding options below.

You could qualify for a Student Finance England tuition fee loan to re-skill or up-skill in psychology, science, computing, maths, nursing or healthcare, even if you've received one previously.

Depending on your circumstances, you could be eligible to apply for one or more of the following:

This page covers undergraduate qualifications. If you’re planning to study a postgraduate course, you’ll find fee, loan and funding information on our dedicated postgraduate page.

View postgraduate fees and funding

2 minutes and 2 seconds

Find out about what’s included in your course fees and the funding options available to you.

In terms of the quality of education I’ve received, it’s been great. For me, the biggest benefit of the OU is that I can earn whilst I learn. I have friends who don’t know how they’re going to cope with the cost of living away from home.

The flexibility of the OU was crucial to my studying...I funded my studies entirely through student finance. I worked to support myself, but the money for my degree was via a loan.

Get up to £4,500 a year of non-repayable funding paid directly to you to help with living costs.

Qualifications at The Open University are made up of a series of modules. Every module has an individual fee – added together, they give you the total cost.

You’ll fund your modules as you study them, so you won’t have to pay for your whole qualification upfront.

The cost per year depends on how many modules you choose to take. With us, you have the flexibility to adjust the pace of your studies each year to fit around your work, family and other commitments.

Part-time study is roughly equivalent to studying at half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	2 2	£1,312 £1,312	£2,624 £2,624
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	4 4	£1,312 £1,312	£5,248 £5,248
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	6 6	£1,312 £1,312	£7,872 £7,872

Studying full-time is equivalent to studying at the same rate as a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	1 1	£2,624 £2,624	£2,624 £2,624
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	2 2	£2,624 £2,624	£5,248 £5,248
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	3 3	£2,624 £2,624	£7,872 £7,872

Your module materials, tuition, assessment and exams are all included in our module fees.

Some additional costs aren’t included:

You can find more information about additional costs in our qualification and module descriptions.

*The fee information provided above is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our

Fee Rules

Pay nothing upfront – over 80% of our new students in Wales fund their studies with a Part-Time Tuition Fee Loan (sometimes called a student loan), meaning they pay nothing upfront.

Learn more about this and our other funding options below.

You could qualify for a Student Finance Wales tuition fee loan to re-skill or up-skill in psychology, science, computing, maths, nursing or healthcare, even if you've received one previously.

Depending on your circumstances, you could be eligible to apply for one or more of the following:

This page covers undergraduate qualifications. If you’re planning to study a postgraduate course, you’ll find fee, loan and funding information on our dedicated postgraduate page.

View postgraduate fees and funding

2 minutes and 12 seconds

Find out about what’s included in your course fees and the funding options available to you.

I wouldn't have been able to do the degree without the funding that's available. I wouldn't have been able to pay my bills. The grant makes it possible to study and work at the same time.

You could study for free if you earn less than £25,000 a year or are on certain benefits.

If you don’t qualify to study for free with a Part-Time Fee Grant, don’t worry. Our costs are transparent, so you’ll know exactly what to expect from the outset.

Qualifications at The Open University are made up of a series of modules. Every module has an individual fee – added together, they give you the total cost.

You’ll fund your modules as you study them, so you won’t have to pay for your whole qualification up front.

The cost per year depends on how many modules you choose to take. With us, you have the flexibility to adjust the pace of your studies each year to fit around your work, family and other commitments.

Part-time study is roughly equivalent to studying at half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	2 2	£1,272 £1,272	£2,554 £2,554
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	4 4	£1,272 £1,272	£5,088 £5,088
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	6 6	£1,272 £1,272	£7,632 £7,632

Studying full-time is equivalent to studying at the same rate as a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	1 1	£2,544 £2,544	£2,554 £2,554
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	2 2	£2,544 £2,544	£5,088 £5,088
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	3 3	£2,544 £2,544	£7,632 £7,632

Your module materials, tuition, assessment and exams are all included in our module fees.

Some additional costs aren’t included:

You can find more information about additional costs in our qualification and module descriptions.

*The fee information provided above is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our

Fee Rules

Study for free – if your personal income is £25,000 or less, or you’re receiving certain benefits, you could qualify for a Part-Time Fee Grant and top-up funding to cover 100% of your module fees.

Learn more about this and our other funding options below.

Depending on your circumstances, you could be eligible to apply for one or more of the following:

This page covers undergraduate qualifications. If you’re planning to study a postgraduate course, you’ll find fee, loan and funding information on our dedicated postgraduate page.

View postgraduate fees and funding

2 minutes and 2 seconds

Find out about what’s included in your course fees and the funding options available to you.

Fortunately, I didn’t need to pay for my degree because of how much I earned at the time, so it was funded by a Part-Time Fee Grant. I would hate to be in debt. All of my friends have got crazy amounts of debt, and they’re all jealous of me now.

You could get a non-repayable grant of up to £1,230 a year towards your module fees.

Qualifications at The Open University are made up of a series of modules. Every module has an individual fee – added together, they give you the total cost.

You’ll fund your modules as you study them, so you won’t have to pay for your whole qualification upfront.

The cost per year depends on how many modules you choose to take. With us, you have the flexibility to adjust the pace of your studies each year to fit around your work, family and other commitments.

Part-time study is roughly equivalent to studying at half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	2 2	£1,240 £1,240	£2,480 £2,480
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	4 4	£1,240 £1,240	£4,960 £4,960
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	6 6	£1,240 £1,240	£7,440 £7,440

Studying full-time is equivalent to studying at the same rate as a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	1 1	£2,480 £2,480	£2,480 £2,480
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	2 2	£2,480 £2,480	£4,960 £4,960
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	3 3	£2,480 £2,480	£7,440 £7,440

Your module materials, tuition, assessment and exams are all included in our module fees.

Some additional costs aren’t included:

You can find more information about additional costs in our qualification and module descriptions.

*The fee information provided above is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our

Fee Rules

Non-repayable funding – you could get a Part-Time Fee Grant of up to £1,230 each year to help pay your module fees.

Learn more about this and our other funding options below.

Depending on your circumstances, you could be eligible to apply for one or more of the following:

This page covers undergraduate qualifications. If you’re planning to study a postgraduate course, you’ll find fee, loan and funding information on our dedicated postgraduate page.

View postgraduate fees and funding

2 minutes and 7 seconds

Find out about what’s included in your course fees and the funding options available to you.

I wanted to do something for myself and liked the fact that OU study was so flexible, meaning I could combine learning with all the other commitments in my life...I took advantage of the OUSBA scheme and paid my module fees in instalments.

Qualifications at The Open University are made up of a series of modules. Every module has an individual fee – added together, they give you the total cost.

You’ll fund your modules as you study them, so you won’t have to pay for your whole qualification upfront.

The cost per year depends on how many modules you choose to take. With us, you have the flexibility to adjust the pace of your studies each year to fit around your work, family and other commitments.

Part-time study is roughly equivalent to studying at half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	2 2	£4,092 £4,092	£8,184 £8,184
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	4 4	£4,092 £4,092	£16,368 £16,368
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	6 6	£4,092 £4,092	£24,552 £24,552

Studying full-time is equivalent to studying at the same rate as a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	1 1	£8,184 £8,184	£8,184 £8,184
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	2 2	£8,184 £8,184	£16,368 £16,368
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	3 3	£8,184 £8,184	£24,552 £24,552

Your module materials, tuition, assessment and exams are all included in our module fees.

Some additional costs aren’t included:

You can find more information about additional costs in our qualification and module descriptions.

*The fee information provided above is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our

Fee Rules

Find out about all our available funding options below.

This page covers undergraduate qualifications. If you’re planning to study a postgraduate course, you’ll find fee, loan and funding information on our dedicated postgraduate page.

View postgraduate fees and funding

Many students pay their fees in instalments with a loan from The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd.

I couldn’t have studied through other universities because of the cost. The value for money that you got from the OU was incredible and, along with the flexibility of distance learning, it did make it a more feasible option.

Qualifications at The Open University are made up of a series of modules. Every module has an individual fee – added together, they give you the total cost.

You’ll fund your modules as you study them, so you won’t have to pay for your whole qualification upfront.

The cost per year depends on how many modules you choose to take. With us, you have the flexibility to adjust the pace of your studies each year to fit around your work, family and other commitments.

Part-time study is roughly equivalent to studying at half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	2 2	£3,666 £3,666	£7,332 £7,332
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	4 4	£3,666 £3,666	£14,664 £14,664
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	6 6	£3,666 £3,666	£21,996 £21,996

Studying full-time is equivalent to studying at the same rate as a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	1 1	£7,332 £7,332	£7,332 £7,332
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	2 2	£7,332 £7,332	£14,664 £14,664
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	3 3	£7,332 £7,332	£21,996 £21,996

Your module materials, tuition, assessment and exams are all included in our module fees.

Some additional costs aren’t included:

You can find more information about additional costs in our qualification and module descriptions.

*The fee information provided above is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our

Fee Rules

Find out about all our available funding options below.

Although fees are shown in pounds sterling, you can also pay for your fees in Euros, Danish kroner, Swedish kronor, Swiss francs, and US dollars. We'll use the exchange rate that applies on the day your registration is processed, except for payments in Euros, which are subject to a monthly exchange rate. These exchange rates guide us; hence, it is not possible to display fees in other currencies.

This page covers undergraduate qualifications. If you’re planning to study a postgraduate course, you’ll find fee, loan and funding information on our dedicated postgraduate page.

View postgraduate fees and funding

Many students pay their fees in instalments with a loan from The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd.

Qualifications at The Open University are made up of a series of modules. Every module has an individual fee – added together, they give you the total cost.

You’ll fund your modules as you study them, so you won’t have to pay for your whole qualification upfront.

The cost per year depends on how many modules you choose to take. With us, you have the flexibility to adjust the pace of your studies each year to fit around your work, family and other commitments.

Part-time study is roughly equivalent to studying at half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	2 2	£4,092 £4,092	£8,184 £8,184
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	4 4	£4,092 £4,092	£16,368 £16,368
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	6 6	£4,092 £4,092	£24,552 £24,552

Studying full-time is equivalent to studying at the same rate as a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	1 1	£8,184 £8,184	£8,184 £8,184
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	2 2	£8,184 £8,184	£16,368 £16,368
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	3 3	£8,184 £8,184	£24,552 £24,552

Your module materials, tuition, assessment and exams are all included in our module fees.

Some additional costs aren’t included:

You can find more information about additional costs in our qualification and module descriptions.

As an international student, you can earn an accredited UK degree for one-third the cost of the UK’s traditional, campus-based universities.

*The fee information provided above is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our *Fee Rules*.

**Average overseas fees in England for the 24/25 academic year based on the British Council's analysis of the *Cost of studying and living in the UK*.
Qualification Qualification	The OU* The OU*	Campus unis Campus unis	Saving Saving
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	£8,184 £8,184	£24,700 £24,700	£16,516 £16,516
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	£16,368 £16,368	£49,400 £49,400	£33,032 £33,032
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	£24,552 £24,552	£74,100 £74,100	£49,548 £49,548

Find out about all our available funding options below.

This page covers undergraduate qualifications. If you’re planning to study a postgraduate course, you’ll find fee, loan and funding information on our dedicated postgraduate page.

View postgraduate fees and funding

Many students pay their fees in instalments with a loan from The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd.

Qualifications at The Open University are made up of a series of modules. Every module has an individual fee – added together, they give you the total cost.

You’ll fund your modules as you study them, so you won’t have to pay for your whole qualification upfront.

The cost per year depends on how many modules you choose to take. With us, you have the flexibility to adjust the pace of your studies each year to fit around your work, family and other commitments.

Part-time study is roughly equivalent to studying at half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	2 2	£4,092 £4,092	£8,184 £8,184
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	4 4	£4,092 £4,092	£16,368 £16,368
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	6 6	£4,092 £4,092	£24,552 £24,552

Studying full-time is equivalent to studying at the same rate as a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	1 1	£8,184 £8,184	£8,184 £8,184
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	2 2	£8,184 £8,184	£16,368 £16,368
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	3 3	£8,184 £8,184	£24,552 £24,552

Your module materials, tuition, assessment and exams are all included in our module fees.

Some additional costs aren’t included:

You can find more information about additional costs in our qualification and module descriptions.

As an international student, you can earn an accredited UK degree for less than half the cost of the UK’s traditional, campus-based universities.

*The fee information provided above is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our *Fee Rules*.

**Average overseas fees in England for the 24/25 academic year based on the British Council's analysis of the *Cost of studying and living in the UK*.
Qualification Qualification	The OU* The OU*	Campus unis Campus unis	Saving Saving
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	£8,184 £8,184	£24,700 £24,700	£16,516 £16,516
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	£16,368 £16,368	£49,400 £49,400	£33,032 £33,032
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	£24,552 £24,552	£74,100 £74,100	£49,548 £49,548

Find out about all our available funding options below.

This page covers undergraduate qualifications. If you’re planning to study a postgraduate course, you’ll find fee, loan and funding information on our dedicated postgraduate page.

View postgraduate fees and funding