Residential schools outside the UK

In addition to UK residential schools, the Department of Languages and the Business School run residential schools outside the UK, for example in France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium and Ireland.

The support the University can offer those with additional requirements is not as comprehensive as at schools in the UK. The range of equipment is limited, and we can’t guarantee services that depend on the cooperation of other UK institutions such as Action on Hearing Loss. In particular, professional personal care washing, dressing, etc cannot be provided at overseas sites, so if you do require this type of support you must bring your own assistant.

We are continuing to work with host sites in Ireland and western Europe to ensure that students with disabilities or additional requirements have access to teaching, residential and social facilities. It’s important that you contact the Disability Resources Team and talk through your requirements, so that wherever possible they can be met at residential school.

If you are eligible for a Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA), The Open University will only provide study support that cannot be provided by a DSA.

Medical treatment

Students from the UK must produce a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to get medical treatment in France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Holland and Ireland at either a reduced cost or free of charge. Information on how to use the card in the country you are visiting is available at NHS Choices: Healthcare abroad. You should also get the leaflet T5 'Health Advice for Travellers' from a post office. This will tell you how to get treatment if you need to.

The EHIC is not an alternative3 to travel insurance and we strongly advise you to take out travel insurance that includes medical cover in case the arrangements agreed between EU countries aren’t adequate to meet your full medical expenses. This is particularly necessary if you’re not of EU nationality and so not covered by the arrangements.

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