If you are purchasing a voucher for someone
Q. Who are the vouchers suitable for?
Q. How can I pay for OU Gift Vouchers?
Q. Is the payment method secure?
Q. What will I receive?
Q. Where can I have the pack delivered to?
Q. How long is the voucher valid for?
Q. Are there any restrictions on who can study with the
OU?
Q. Can OU Gift Vouchers be used outside the UK?
Q. Can I buy vouchers for someone who is already an OU
student?
Q. Can I, the purchaser, get a refund?
Q. Can the gift pack be personalised?
If you have received a voucher as a gift
Q. What can I study with my voucher?
Q. When can I start?
Q. How do I register?
Q. When should I register for a course using my voucher?
Q. What’s included?
Q. What if my vouchers are worth more than the course
I want to study?
Q. What if I’m already studying with the OU?
Q. What if the course costs more than the vouchers I
have?
Q. What if the course I want is more than I can afford?
Q. Can I spread the payment if my vouchers don’tpay
for the whole course fee?
Q. Can I register at my OU regional centre?
Q. What if the OU doesn’t provide the course I want to study?
Q. What if the course I want to study is full?
Q. When does the voucher expire?
If your question hasn’t been answered,
please contact us for further help for further
help.
If you are purchasing a voucher for someone
Q. Who are the vouchers suitable for?
A. Any adult who has an interest in the subject and an interest in
learning should be able to cope with OU study at the appropriate level.
Students must be aged 18 or over at the time the course starts.
For people who are new to OU study we suggest starting with a short
course - ideal for introducing a new subject as well as developing
invaluable study skills. Degree level courses increase in difficulty
from Level 1 to Level 3. Study at Postgraduate level, for those who
already have a degree, will require evidence of previous qualifications.
Almost all of our courses require the use of a computer. Please check the course
description for full details.
Please note that course prices differ in the UK and overseas. Some of our courses
can be studied worldwide but please check on our website
to find out which courses
and locations are available.
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Q. How can I pay for OU Gift Vouchers?
A. You can order OU Gift Vouchers online using a credit/debit card.
Please note that we do not accept American Express or Diners Club cards.
You can open our order form to order by post.
You can pay either by credit/debit card or by cheque.
Alternatively, you can call us on 01908 858785 (+44 1908 858785 from outside
the UK) to order with your credit/debit card.
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Q. Is the payment method secure?
A. Yes, online purchase details will reach us via secure email.
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Q. What will I receive?
A. We’ll send your voucher in a presentation card and envelope that you can give or send to the person receiving your gift. Alternatively, you can have it sent straight to them. We despatch by recorded delivery to ensure it arrives safely.
We’ll also send you an invoice showing that we have received your payment for your records.
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Q. Where can I have the pack delivered to?
A. We can either send the pack to you, the purchaser, or directly to
the person receiving your gift. Please specify this at the time of
ordering. If you intend to forward the voucher gift pack by post,
we recommend that you send it by recorded delivery to ensure that
it arrives safely.
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Q. How long is the voucher valid for?
A. Vouchers are valid for 3 years from the date of issue.
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Q. Are there any
restrictions on who can study with the OU?
A. Students must be aged 18 or over at the time the course starts. There are no pre-requisites for study at undergraduate level but for postgraduate study, evidence of the appropriate qualifications will be required.
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Q. Can OU Gift Vouchers be used outside the UK?
A. Yes, vouchers can be redeemed for courses wherever we currently
accept registrations. If you’re buying a voucher for someone who
is not resident in the UK, please note that prices for overseas students
differ. UK prices are for UK residents only. On each course description,
you’ll find fees for students in the UK, Republic of Ireland and
Continental Europe. Some of our courses can be studied worldwide
but please check on our website to
find out which courses
and locations are available. For study advice
from outside the UK, please call: (01) 678 5399 or +44 28 9032 3722
from the Republic of Ireland +44 191 213 1380 from other EU countries
and Switzerland +44 845 300 6090 from elsewhere
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Q. Can I buy vouchers for someone who is already an OU student?
A: Yes. The student may use the voucher to pay for their next OU course.
Vouchers can be redeemed at the point of registration, either online,
by phone or by post (see Redeeming
an OU Voucher).
Or
If the student has outstanding payments on their Open University Student Budget
Account (OUSBA), vouchers can be used to offset the remaining instalments.
Voucher(s) can be posted to OUSBA together with the student P.I. number
to: OUSBA, PO Box 508, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6HX. For questions
regarding redemption against an OUSBA account, please telephone 01908
655777 from within the UK or +44 1908 655777 from elsewhere.
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Q. Can I, the purchaser, get a refund?
A. Yes, as long as we receive your request in writing and the original
voucher, undamaged, within 21 days of purchase. Please send your voucher
and request to: OUGV Coordinator
LMS/OUW
PO Box 188
Milton Keynes, MK7 6DH, UK.
We recommend that you use recorded delivery to ensure that the returned voucher reaches us safely.
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Q. Can the gift pack be personalised?
A. There is space inside the voucher presentation card for you to write your own greeting.
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If you have received a voucher
as a gift
Q. What can I study
with my voucher?
A. OU Gift Vouchers can be redeemed against any OU course.
Search our online prospectus,
or download or
order a copy.
If you’re new to the OU, you’ll find a wealth of useful
information on the 'Study Explained' website which explains
what’s
involved when you choose to study with the OU.
If you haven’t studied
for some time, or are new to the OU, our range of short courses are ideal for
introducing you to a new subject as well as helping you to develop invaluable
study skills. Degree level courses increase in difficulty from Level 1 to Level
3. We recommend starting with a Level 1 course. Study at Postgraduate level,
if you already have a degree, will require evidence of previous qualifications.
Almost all of our courses require the use of a computer. Please check the course
description for full details.
You will need to be aged 18 or over at the time
the course starts.
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Q. When can I start?
A. Course start dates vary – some courses start in February or August, but others start up to 4 times a year. Please bear in mind that registration for many of our courses closes several weeks before the start date to ensure that we can allocate support and get your study pack out to you in good time. Please see the relevant course
description for
details.
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Q.
How do I register?
A. You can register for a course entirely online, or you can ‘reserve’ a
place either by phone or online, then complete your application by
post:-
Register online
Register
and pay for your course online.
You’ll be asked to reveal the hidden authentication code* on your voucher. The outstanding balance of your course fee, if there is one, can be paid by credit/debit card.
Overpayment with vouchers cannot be refunded.
*Please do not reveal this code until instructed to do so or it will invalidate your voucher.
We’ll send you a completed registration form
for you to sign and return with your voucher and the balance of payment
(if applicable) which you can pay by credit/debit card, by cheque,
or by applying for an Open University Student Budget
account (OUSBA).
If you’re redeeming your voucher by post, please detach
and keep the receipt slip so that you have a copy of the voucher number
for reference. There is no need to scratch off the authentication panel
if you are redeeming your vouchers by post.
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Q. When should I
register for a course using my voucher?
A. You’ll find the registration close date in the relevant course description. Courses start at various times throughout the year and registration can close several weeks before the course begins. Please see the relevant course
description for details.
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Q. What’s included?
A. When you choose to study with The Open University, we give you all
the study materials you need. Depending on the course, you may be
allocated a tutor or study adviser, or you may choose to study a
course with online tuition only if this suits your circumstances
better.
The course pack varies for each course but can include books,
specially written study guides, DVDs, assessment papers and access
to a course website. The only expenses you may incur are travel
to and from tutorials, residential schools and examinations if they’re
included in your course.
You may be eligible for help with course
fees and other study costs like computers and childcare. Find out
more about financial
support
and to use the online calculator to find out if
you’re eligible.
Alternatively please speak to one of our advisers.
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Q: What if my vouchers are worth more than the course I want to study?
Overpayment using vouchers cannot be refunded. However, you can underpay with a voucher, and make up the difference with a credit/debit card or cheque, or by applying for an Open
University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).
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Q: What if I’m already studying with the OU?
A: You have two choices if you receive a voucher and you’re already
studying with the OU:
You can redeem your voucher against your current
Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA) if you have one, reducing
the amount left to pay on your account. In this case you would send
your voucher to OUSBA together with your P.I. number and they would
credit your account.
Alternatively, you can use your voucher to register
for your next OU course.
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Q: What if the course costs more than the vouchers I have?
A: There are three options open to you in that case:
You can pay for
your course fees with multiple vouchers. You can pay the outstanding
balance using a credit/debit card or cheque.
Or you could apply to
OUSBA for an Open University
Student Budget Account which allows
you to spread the payment of your course into manageable monthly
payments at competitive rates of interest.
You may be eligible for financial assistance. You could also be
entitled to help with other costs associated with study such as computers,
travel and childcare. You’ll find further details about financial
support on our website where
you’ll also find an online calculator which will help you to work out whether
you’re eligible. Alternatively, please speak to one of our trained advisers.
You
may be surprised at just how much help is available. UK government funds have
increased - a resident of England, working full-time with an income of less than £26,000
p.a., may now be entitled to some degree of financial support.
Please
note that this applies to funding for students resident in England only. See
the website
or request our leaflet to find
out about funding in Wales, Scotland and outside
the UK.
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Q: What if the course I want is more than I can afford?
A You may be eligible for financial assistance. You could also be entitled
to help with other costs associated with study such as computers, travel and
childcare. You’ll find further details about financial
support on our website
where you’ll also find an online calculator which will help you to work out whether
you’re eligible. Alternatively, please speak to one of our trained advisers.
You
may be surprised at just how much help is available. UK government funds have
increased - a resident of England, working full-time with an income of less than £26,000
p.a., may now be entitled to some degree of financial support. Please note that
this applies to funding for students resident in England only. See the website
or request our leaflet to find
out about funding in Wales, Scotland and outside
the UK.
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Q: Can I spread the payment if my vouchers don’t pay for the whole course fee?
A: Yes, OU students can apply for an Open
University Student Budget Account (OUSBA) which can help you to spread
payment in manageable monthly instalments at competitive rates of interest.
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Q. Can I register with my voucher at my OU regional centre?
A. No, voucher registrations must come through our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
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Q. What if the OU doesn’t provide the course I want to study?
A. Our trained advisers can help you to identify the most suitable course for you and at what level. With over 580 courses, there is a great deal of choice. However, if all possibilities have been considered and we’re unable to help you, please contact our Vouchers Team for further advice.
Please telephone 01908 858785 or + 44 1908 858785 if you’re outside the UK
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Q.
What if the course I want to study is full?
A. Our trained advisers can help you to identify the most suitable
course for you and at what level. With over 580 courses, there is a great
deal of choice. However, if all possibilities have been considered and
we’re unable to help you, please contact our Vouchers Team for
further advice.
Please telephone 01908 858785 or + 44 1908 858785 if you’re outside the
UK
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Q. When does the voucher expire?
A. Vouchers are valid for 3 years from the date of issue.
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Need further help?
If you have a question about the purchase of a voucher, please call
us on 01908 858785, or outside the UK on +44 1908 858785
If your question
is about OU study, please call and speak to one of our trained advisers
on:-
0845 300 6090 from within the UK
(01) 678 5399
or +44 28 9032 3722 from the Republic of Ireland
+44 191 213 1380
from other EU countries and Switzerland
+44 845 300 6090 from elsewhere
Our lines are open: Monday to Friday
08:30 to 21:00, Saturday 09:00 to 17:00 (GMT). |
