Open educational resources (OERs) provide a valuable platform for learning about a wide variety of topics and subjects. This module allows you to take what you have learnt and use it towards the OU qualifications outlined above.
You will need to select 150 hours of learning to bring to the module, some of which may have been recently completed. This may come from the OU’s free learning website, OpenLearn, or other specified OER sites. This includes edX, Coursera and OERu. To get an idea of what you could choose to study with this module, check out our example study pathways.
You will also study consolidating material and complete assessments which ask you to analyse and reflect on your OER study. You will develop a range of study skills including the ability to plan and reflect on your learning. You will learn how to communicate your learning through a variety of tools and interact with other students.. Drawing on the study you have selected to bring to the module, you will also be introduced to ideas of interdisciplinarity and multidisciplinarity to develop an understanding of the power and importance of making connections between disciplines.
The final assessment task provides you with an opportunity to consolidate and take your learning forward as you approach the completion of this module.
With a focus on the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the module enables you to select learning that suits your interests and helps you explore what happens when you bring different knowledge, skills, and learning experiences together. You will discover the richness that comes from thinking about a topic from a variety of angles. This new insight may confirm that your learning goals are exactly as you had originally planned, or it may open a whole new world of possibilities.
You'll engage in a series of learning events, comprising a blend of one-to-one sessions between you and your tutor, and module-wide tutorials. There will also be opportunities for collaboration with other students. Your tutor will help you plan your work and think about the ideas explored in the module. Your tutor will also comment on and support you with your assessments.
Course work includes:
You'll have access to a module website, which includes:
You'll also have personalised support and one-to-one phone tutorials.
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
YXM130 is an option module in our:
Making your learning count (YXM130) starts once a year - in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2029.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
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There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your personal income is £25,000 or less, or you’re on certain benefits, you could qualify for a grant and OU top-up funding to cover 100% of your course fees. Apply online at the same time as you register on your module.
For more information on how to apply, visit our Part-Time Fee Grants for students in Scotland page.
The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd (OUSBA) offers a convenient 'pay as you go' option to pay your OU fees, which is a secure, quick and easy way to pay. Please note that The Open University works exclusively with OUSBA and is not able to offer you credit facilities from any other provider. All credit is subject to status and proof that you can afford the repayments.
You pay the OU through OUSBA in one of the following ways:
Joint loan applications
If you feel you would be unable to obtain an OUSBA loan on your own due to credit history or affordability issues, OUSBA offers the option to apply for a joint loan application with a third party. For example, your husband, wife, partner, parent, sibling or friend. In such cases, OUSBA will be required to carry out additional affordability checks separately and/or collectively for both joint applicants who will be jointly and severally liable for loan repayments.
As additional affordability checks are required when processing joint loan applications, unfortunately, an instant decision cannot be given. On average, the processing time for a joint loan application is five working days from receipt of the required documentation.
Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).
Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.
Over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.
You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module.
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may get support from your employer to pay part of your tuition fee and pay the remainder by credit or debit card.
For more information about combining payment options, contact an adviser.
Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here 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.
