OU union discount changes FAQs

Q1. Why is The Open University withdrawing the discount scheme for union members in England?

Q2. I am a continuing student and union member in England – will the discount for my module also be withdrawn?

Q3. What will happen to the union partnerships with the OU now that discounts have been withdrawn in England?

Q4. I am a union member in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland – am I still entitled to the union discount?

Q5. What happens if I relocate from England to, for example, Wales – would I then be eligible for the discount?

Q6. As a union member in England, what financial support options are available to me?

Q7. As a union member outside of England, what financial support options are available to me?

Q8. I am a union member in England and have reserved for a module that starts after 1 September – will I still be able to apply the discount?

Q9. I am a postgraduate student in England – does the removal of the discount apply to me also?

If your question is not answered by our FAQ section, please email general-enquiries@open.ac.uk

Q1. Why is The Open University withdrawing the discount scheme for union members in England?
Changes to the way higher education is funded in England have reduced the OU’s income by more than £90 million. The OU is therefore reviewing all of its costs in order to protect services to students and keep fees as low as possible, while maintaining high quality and remaining true to its mission of being open to all. Due to the funding changes in England and the cost associated with sustaining the union discount scheme, it has been necessary for the OU to withdraw the discount for union members who are undergraduate students in England starting their study from 1 September 2012.

In the new higher education environment where the vast majority of OU undergraduate students in England are expected to pay for their study with Part-Time Tuition Fee Loans, the discount scheme was also judged to be incompatible.

For Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where the funding arrangements for part-time higher education study remains unchanged, the fee discount will remain in place for the academic year 2012/13 and fees will only change, as is normal, in line with inflation.

Q2. I am a continuing student and union member in England – will the discount for my module also be withdrawn?
Current OU students in England studying towards a qualification may be eligible for transitional arrangements, which they can declare via StudentHome. Transitional arrangements have been put in place by the University to help students complete their studies at a price and pace consistent with their expectations when they started.

Students in England who meet the transitional eligibility criteria will retain their union discount where applicable, dependant on the terms and conditions of the union’s discount arrangements with the OU.

Please note, to continue to meet the eligibility criteria for your transitional arrangements you must study a module that counts towards your transitional qualification every year. 

For more information on transitional arrangements, including how to declare your intended qualification. << http://www.open.ac.uk/learning/planning-studies/eng/unconfirmed.php>>

Q3. What will happen to the union partnerships with the OU now that discounts have been withdrawn in England?
The OU remains committed to the union partnership which has been successful under the previous funding system. However, the new funding arrangements mean the OU needs to explore new ways to maintain and develop opportunities for trades union members to study with the OU.

Q4. I am a union member in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland – am I still entitled to the union discount?
For Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where the funding arrangements for part-time higher education study remains unchanged, the fee discount will remain in place for the academic year 2012/13 and fees will only change, as is normal, in line with inflation.

Q5. What happens if I relocate from England to, for example, Wales – would I then be eligible for the discount?
Your fee eligibility is determined by where you are ordinarily resident at the start of the academic year of your first module/qualification with The Open University. Fees may be affected by a move to another nation during your study depending on individual circumstances. The Open University will validate students’ residency information and will take appropriate action to prevent fraudulent activity. It is the responsibility of the student to inform the University if their residence status or home address changes after they have registered on a module as this may affect their fees.

Q6. As a union member in England, what financial support options are available to me?
In England, we are already committed to keeping our fees as low as possible under the new regime – this in itself will benefit union members. Government changes mean that eligible part-time students in England can now access fee loans for the very first time. Students accessing the fee loans will only begin to repay the loan after four years and only if they’re earning more than £21,000. Those on low incomes will be able to access loans with the knowledge that they will not have to pay anything back until they earn above this threshold.

This also means there are now no upfront costs involved with studying with the OU as long as the union member is studying at least 25 per cent of a full-time student, for example an OU module worth 30 credits and studying for an undergraduate qualification that’s higher than any they already have.

If union members do not qualify for a student loan, or choose not to apply, there may be the option to pay fees by monthly instalments through the Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).

The new ‘Access to Success’ programme will also provide access for those with a household income of less than £25,000, who are new to higher education and do not have the qualifications required for traditional university entry. The programme offers a heavily subsidised route for eligible learners and offers an attractive pathway into higher education for eligible union members.

More information on the financial support arrangements that may be available to you.

Q7. As a union member outside of England, what financial support options are available to me?
Students studying with The Open University can pay their fees upfront, or spread the cost of their studies into instalments paid during each module through the OU’s own unique loan system. You can find more information on our Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA) website.

The following financial help is available for students on low incomes who are ordinarily resident in Scotland:

Part-time fee waiver
If you have a household income below £16,510 (more if you have dependents) or are on certain state benefits, you may be entitled to a module fee waiver which will cover the cost of your module fees. To see if you are eligible for a part-time fee waiver, please see here.

Part-time fee grant
The Part- Time Fee Grant (formerly known as ILA £500) allows you to claim up to £500 a year towards the module fee if your personal income is £22,000 or less a year, or you are on certain benefits, and you are studying at least 40 credit credits a year. For more information on the Part-time fee grant, see here.

Wales
For information on all the current levels of support available in Wales, visit Student Finance Wales.

Northern Ireland
For the latest information on student finance in Northern Ireland, please visit the Student Finance NI website.

Q8. I am a union member in England and have reserved for a module that starts after 1 September – will I still be able to apply the discount?
Unfortunately, the discount will not be applicable unless you are eligible for transitional arrangements and have declared you intended qualification (see Q7).

Q9. I am a postgraduate student in England – does the removal of the discount apply to me also?
No, the removal of the discount only applies to undergraduate students in England.

What do you think of the discount withdrawal? Share your thoughts in the forum here (and please note you'll need to be logged in with your OU username and password to do so)