YASS student support

Once registered as a YASS student, there is access to a whole range of Open University support services.

Computing Helpdesk and Learner Support

Support includes the Computing Helpdesk, for one-to-one advice on issues such as installing/running course software, usernames and passwords, accessing course websites and forums, and any other IT-related matters.

The helpdesk is open seven days a week.

YASS students can also contact their Student Support team for any questions they might have about OU study and processes in general.

Contact details for both the Computing Helpdesk and Learner Support are available on your StudentHome page. This can be accessed once you are registered on your course.

Additional support needs

If you have additional support needs, and you register to study with the OU, you will have the opportunity for a detailed discussion so that you know what to expect and we can put in place the support you need. These are the main steps in arranging suitable support for your OU studies:

• On registering to study with The Open University, you will be asked to complete a Disability Support Form telling us more about the support you require. This is optional, but it greatly helps us to support you in your studies.
• You will then have the opportunity to discuss your support and adjustments with an adviser specialising in disability support either by email or phone.
• Some types of support and adjustments require evidence, such as a doctor’s letter, and we will establish if you need to provide evidence as part of this discussion.
• Based on this conversation, the advisor will then write a profile which helps your tutor know how best to support you.

More information about the kind of support we can provide to our students is available on the OU’s ‘Supporting students with disabilities’ webpage. 

Please note, while students are still at school - as is the case with the YASS programme - they are not eligible for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), which is a government grant to cover the cost of equipment, software or a specialist support worker.