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This depends on your chosen course. We offer our Level 1 short courses in arts and humanities up to four times a year, so you choose when you want to start studying. Most of our other Level 1 courses offer two start dates a year - February and October - with most other courses starting in February (although there are exceptions). Please see the individual course descriptions for information on start dates.
No. Most of our undergraduate courses are open to all because we believe that everyone who is keen to succeed should have an equal opportunity to study.
There’s no limit to the time you can take to complete most OU undergraduate degrees. Our courses are valued according to a nationally-agreed system of credit points in which one credit point equals 10 hours of study. Most of our undergraduate courses are worth either 30 points (300 hours) or 60 points (600 hours). So, studying a 30-point course over nine months will take about eight hours of study a week, and for a 60-point course, you’ll need to set aside about 16 hours a week. Most students do no more than 60 points’ worth of courses a year and take six years to complete their degrees. But if you have the time, it can be achieved more quickly.
Students often tell us that support from family and friends is really important, so it’s a good idea to talk with them about what you want to do. That way you can plan and negotiate family or social time. These comments from former students say it all:
‘It has to be a joint commitment, involve your partner if you want to succeed.’
‘My son had difficulties with homework but understanding that, like him, I have to study after work has made a big difference and we now sit down to work together.’
Yes. Depending on your experience of higher education, we offer a range of courses and study packs to help you prepare. For those who have little or no experience of study, we offer introductory Openings courses e.g Y156 Understanding Children. Those who already have study experience may be interested in our range of short courses in arts, science and technology.
No, you don’t need any formal academic qualifications for our undergraduate courses.
You will be studying at home on your own, but you’re never alone. Your tutor is on hand throughout your course, and your regional centre can always be contacted if you need advice or information. Like many OU students you can attend tutorials and go to residential schools. Some students also set up informal study groups which meet in person; and other students communicate by email or by phone and participate in online discussion groups. On the social side, there are clubs and societies that you can join and events you can go to - our student magazine Sesame carries details of all of these. And the student association, OUSA, provides opportunities to meet other students through its local branch network.
A computer with online access will add to your experience of studying with us. Also, increasingly, to be awarded a higher-education qualification you’ll be required to develop elearning skills. So if you don’t have regular access to public or work-based computing facilities you will need your own personal computer and web connection. You’ll then enjoy better support from your tutor and other students, and be able to benefit from our many online services, including an OU email account, online forums and our online library. Financial support is available to purchase a computer.
Our video and DVD programmes are an important part of some of our courses. They can demonstrate processes and experiments or illustrate abstract concepts in a way that’s difficult to reproduce in other media.
Yes, depending on your circumstances, you may be able to apply for a grant for your course fees and for help with your study costs. This year, we expect that at least 20,000 students will receive some kind of financial support towards the cost of their OU studies.
Costs vary considerably from course to course, depending on the subject you choose and the level of study. But remember, your course fee pays for almost everything - from materials and equipment to tuition, assessment and any residential schools. You may have to budget for some travel, but the only other expense might be if you have to buy equipment, most commonly a computer, or books other than those provided, but we’re careful to limit the cost as far as we can. If your course has an online or telephone tutorial component, you’ll also be responsible for any telephone line charges incurred and any charges your internet service provider (ISP) may make. For more information about fees, other costs, payment methods and financial support contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
If the answer to your question isn’t here or if you want more information on a particular topic, go to www.open.ac.uk/new or contact advisory staff in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
