Arts and languages Access module

This 30-week Access module offers a gentle introduction to Open University study and is ideal if you're returning to learning or exploring new interests. You'll study arts, humanities and language at a comfortable pace, covering topics such as history, art history, English literature, English language, modern languages, classical studies, creative writing, popular music and religious studies. It’s the perfect way to refresh your study skills and prepare for a qualification. A fast-track version is also available, where you’ll explore the same subjects with the same tutor support but complete the module in 18 weeks with some extra weekly study.

Choose to study an Access module if you:

• want to gradually build up to university-level study with the OU
• would like learning materials prepared with new learners in mind
• need time to decide your future study plans while developing your study skills.

What you will study

This multidisciplinary module is an ideal starting point if you have little or no previous knowledge of the arts, humanities and languages. It's perfect preparation for your study with The Open University as you'll develop both your subject knowledge and your study skills. From the perspective of its central theme, ‘popular protest’, it explores a range of subjects, including art history, English, English language studies, history, and popular music, all through its central theme of ‘popular protest’. The module also offers an opportunity to explore other subjects, such as modern languages, classical studies, religious studies and creative writing.

The module is divided into three blocks.

Block 1 which you will study in print, begins by exploring how language is used to communicate. You will be introduced to language in various spoken and written forms – for example as a tool for learning or as cultural expression. You’ll then examine the theme of popular protest with an initial discussion of a First World War poem, Anthem for Doomed Youth by Wilfred Owen. Next, you will study a diverse range of protest and performance poetry.

Block 2 where you will move to online study, extends your study of language to consider popular culture and the language of protest. You’ll also start to think about the persuasive uses of language – seen in politics and the media for instance – and consider what impact dialect and pronunciation has on how meaning is produced, drawing on examples from hip-hop and song. You will then move on to focus on history, in particular, looking at the history of the demand for democracy (government by the people) in Britain from around 1815 through an examination of the Chartist movement. You will be introduced to a small number of the many debates surrounding the interpretation of Chartism and the relevance of the subject today. You'll also look at the history of the Suffragette movement.

Block 3 which continues online, considers the relationship between art and popular protest. You’ll be introduced to the study of the visual arts by looking at a selection of works that have been nominated for the Turner Prize which will allow you to look at many different types of art and explore the techniques used by art historians and art critics when they analyse a work of art. You’ll then explore three case studies: a painting by Picasso; a display at St. Mungo’s Museum of Religious Life and Art in Glasgow; and the symbolism and language used in football banners. These case studies will give you the opportunity to build on what you have learnt so far and explore the relationship between popular protest and visual art from a wider range of academic disciplines, such as history, religious studies and linguistics.

During the module, you will encounter three Student Choice weeks. These weeks give you an opportunity to think about your future study or career options, hone some of your study skills or find out about the OU student community. You could also choose to spend the week learning about a subject that interests you on OpenLearn, or you could simply use the time to catch up or have a well-earned break.

The module includes multimedia material and a website with further study materials and resources as well as online quizzes and interactive exercises to help test your understanding.

As you study this module you will build your confidence and develop your study skills, including:

• reading and interpreting information
• producing written communications
• time management and organisational skills
• problem solving.

You will also have the opportunity to gain skills such as working with audio and video material, using online forums and searching the internet for information. This experience will provide you with a gentle introduction to using a computer to support your study, and will equip you with the basic computing skills you will need for the next step in your studies.

Towards the end of the module you will have the opportunity to participate in activities which will help you to make decisions about your future study plans.

Entry requirements

No special knowledge or previous experience is required.

You can study our Arts and languages Access module on a standalone basis, or to prepare for your OU qualification. We know that students who start with an Access module are more likely to succeed with their next modules. Choosing to study Access as an extra module at the start of your learning journey with us is well worth the investment of your time.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, or would like help registering, you can speak to an adviser by calling +44 (0)300 303 0069 or you can book a call back.

The study materials have been prepared with the needs of new learners in mind, so it’s great if you’re a beginner or returning to study. You’ll use your general knowledge and interests to gradually build up to university-level study. This module will develop key study skills such as time management, note taking, reading for study purposes and reflection on your own learning.

This module is only available if you live in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Ireland, or if you have a British Forces Post Office (BFPO) address.

What's included

You'll have access to a module website, which includes:

• a week-by-week study planner
• course-specific module materials
• audio and video content
• assignment details and submission section

You'll also be provided with a printed module book, a study planner and assessment guide.

Digital copies (PDFs and web versions) of most study materials, and transcripts of the video and audio materials can be found on the website.

You will need

You will require access to a phone, and use of a computer with internet access.

Computing requirements

• Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer. It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
• Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
• Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
• Operating systems – Windows 11 or latest supported macOS. Microsoft will no longer support Windows 10 as of 14 October 2025.
• Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
• Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended. Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

You will have a tutor who will keep in touch by a combination of phone and email. There are no face-to-face tutorials; all tutorials are conducted between you and your tutor, and these conversations provide lots of opportunities for your tutor to get to know you and make sure their support is personalised to meet your needs. You may have an opportunity to experience a group tutorial and use online rooms later in the module. Your tutor will help you to plan your work and to think about the ideas explored in the module. Your tutor will also comment on and help you with your written work. At the end of the module you will discuss your progress with your tutor, and you will work together to review your learning.

Assessment

You do not have to sit an examination for this module. Assessment consists of short written assignments (TMAs):

• TMA stands for Tutor Marked Assignment. There are four TMAs for this module. Your tutor will give you constructive written feedback to develop your study skills and confidence, and a score.

The study materials give you lots of support and practice, and detailed feedback from your tutor will help to hone your study skills and build your confidence. You’ll submit most of your assignments online through our eTMA system – the Assessment Guide gives full details.