Degrees

Criminology and Psychological Studies (B48)

If you are awarded a BA/BSc (Honours) Criminology and Psychology you'll have a knowledge and understanding of ideas, theories and debates in criminology and psychology; to be able to analyse and evaluate concepts and theories in these two subject areas; and to assess different kinds of evidence.

Economics and Mathematical Sciences (B15)

If you're awarded this degree you'll have a good grounding in a broad range of mathematical, statistical and computational skills, and a good basic knowledge of economic theory together with an understanding of economic issues. You'll be able to engage in economic debate and to assess different kinds of evidence and their usefulness in relation to economic theories.

Environmental Studies (B19)

If you're awarded this degree you'll have a broad understanding of the relationship between human activity and environmental change, and of the principles of sustainability. You will recognise the effects of large-scale human activities (such as agriculture, resource extraction, energy supply, transport and urbanisation) on natural and modified ecosystems, and the options for managing them. You'll be able to bring together skills from science, technology and social science to investigate and analyse environmental issues that you encounter in your life or work and to advocate changes in management and policy.

International Studies (B11)

If you're awarded a BA or BSc (Hons) International Studies you'll have a broad understanding of contemporary international issues; of the key political, economic, environmental and cultural aspects of the international order; and of the dynamics of the international system. You'll also develop an understanding of international institutions, politics and policy and of issues arising from international economic processes and cultural interactions.

International studies is concerned with analysing and understanding the fact that our world is made up of many different, interacting societies. As an academic discipline its core concerns range from international politics, diplomacy, cooperation, war and security to international economics and development; from cultural and religious interactions between different societies to the international spread of technology and environmental problems. International studies is also concerned with questions of the overall character and political make-up of the international system as a whole, and the sources of order and disorder within it, as well as the distinct political, economic and cultural aspects of this. International studies as an academic subject often goes under alternative labels such as International relations or Politics and international relations.

Politics, Philosophy and Economics (B45)

If you're awarded a BA (Hons) Politics, Philosophy and Economics you will have developed a set of quantitative and conceptual skills which enable you to understand and analyse complex information.

Psychology (B07)

If you're awarded a BSc (Hons) Psychology you'll understand ideas, theories, methods and debates in psychology, and be able to analyse and evaluate psychological concepts and theories, and to assess different kinds of evidence including quantitative and qualitative data.

Social Policy and Criminology (B57)

This degree course will provide you with the opportunity to understand and apply key social science concepts and theories to social policy and criminology. You will explore the increasing overlaps and connections between social policy and criminology both in theory and in practice and as expressed in institutions and public policy. Recognition of the contested nature of social policy and criminology and the ways in which social interests and values impact on policy and practice – at both a global and local level – runs through all modules.

BA/BSc (Honours) Combined Social Sciences (B69)

If you're awarded a BA or BSc (Hons) Social Sciences you'll have knowledge and understanding of society and the ability to analyse key social science concepts by means of both theories and evidence.

Certificate of Higher Education

Certificate of Higher Education in Social Sciences (C95)

This programme of study provides a broad introduction to how society is structured and works, providing fascinating insights into everyday life in our communities, personal lives and workplaces, using ideas from sociology, social policy, psychology or politics, for example. The optional courses in the certificate provide you with an opportunity to broaden your experience by studying subjects that provide skills or knowledge related to social sciences – such as history, health and social care, English or mathematics.

If you are awarded this certificate, you will have completed study equivalent to the first year of a full-time degree. You will have achieved a sound basis upon which to progress to further study in the social sciences or a wide range of other subjects such as business studies, environment or psychology.

Diplomas of Higher Education

If you are awarded a Diploma of Higher Education you will have completed study equivalent to the first two years of a full-time degree. Each of our Diploma of Higher Education builds upon the Certificate of Higher Education in Social Sciences and are offered in the following subjects:

Diploma of Higher Education in Combined Social Sciences (E75)

This is a programme of study that provides you with a good knowledge and understanding of society and how it is structured, handling concepts, evidence and ideas from a range of specialist disciplines within social sciences such as sociology, social policy, psychology, politics, criminology, geography and economics.

Some of the optional courses in the diploma provide you with an opportunity to broaden your experience by studying subjects that provide skills or knowledge related to social sciences – such as humanities, health and social care, business studies or mathematics.

This qualification can be a staging post on a study route towards a BA/BSc (Honours) Combined Social Sciences (B69).

Diploma of Higher Education in Criminology and Psychological Studies (E74)

This diploma explores a range of fascinating issues to do with crime, criminal justice and psychology. Why people do harm to others, antisocial behaviour, surveillance, security, social justice, social welfare and environmental degradation are just some of the subjects that you will delve into. You will also gain a good understanding of a range of broader psychological and criminological theories and topics, such as how the mind works; the role of evolution and social relations in human behaviour; and relationships between the worlds of social welfare and crime control.

This qualification can be a staging post on a study route towards a BA/BSc (Honours) Criminology and Psychological Studies (B48).

Diploma of Higher Education in Social Policy and Criminology (E73)

If you study this diploma you will explore some of the key questions at the heart of contemporary controversies about how to deal with the apparent rise in crime and disorder at a time of recession, rising unemployment and deepening public sector austerity. You will look at issues of crime and social policy in local, national and international contexts.

The qualification can be a staging post on a study route towards a BA/BSc (Honours) Social Policy and Criminology (B57)

Foundation Degrees

Foundation Degree in Counselling (G14)

The Open University's Foundation Degree in Counselling will provide an understanding of the theory and skills required to practise as a professional counsellor. The foundation degree is provided in partnership with the Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB), and consists of 150 points of CPCAB work-based study, and 90 points of Open University (OU) knowledge-based study. The CPCAB courses are delivered through a network of Further Education Colleges and other registered training providers.

The first part of the CPCAB study is the CPCAB Level 4* Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (120 points). At your FE provider you will be taught the theory and practice of counselling in small groups over the course of two years part-time. The second part of the CPCAB study requires either the CPCAB Level 5* Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling or the CPCAB Level 5* Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Skills and Theory which will count as 30 points toward the foundation degree.

To gain the foundation degree you will also need 90 points of OU study from OU (HE) Level 2 courses, comprising the new compulsory 30-point HE Level 2 course Counselling: exploring fear and sadness (D240), plus a further 60 points from a specified range of optional OU courses in psychology and mental health.

The work-based (CPCAB) and the knowledge-based (OU) components can be taken in any order to suit your convenience.

The foundation degree will be suitable for individuals with some knowledge of basic counselling theory and skills who wish to train further to become qualified to practise in a professional setting. It will also prepare students for further study, enquiry and reflection on their practice.

The foundation degree will take three or more years to complete part-time, and by completing a further 120 points at HE Level 3 you can gain an OU honours degree.

*CPCAB awards are described within the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's National Qualification Framework, which is applicable to qualifications taught by Further Education Colleges. The CPCAB level 4 diploma described here has been assessed as equivalent to OU (HE) Level 1 study and the Level 5 CPCAB qualifications have been assessed as equivalent to OU (HE) Level 2 study.

Foundation Degree in Financial Services (G16)

The Open University's Foundation Degree in Financial Services will provide you with a broad and deep understanding of the knowledge and skills that you will need to progress with a career in the financial services industry. Students who wish to have their qualification recognised in Scotland might prefer to study the Diploma of Higher Education in Financial Services (E54).

You will learn about personal finance – including concepts such as financial planning, portfolio management, investment classes and techniques – and the changing economic and social context for financial decisions and financial services products. You'll also get a broader understanding of business organisations and their structures and cultures; wider considerations such as environments, markets and processes; and how all these work together to contribute to organisational success in the financial services industry. This foundation degree will enable you to understand the ideas that are important to anyone working, or intending to work, in financial services. These ideas include the concepts of risk and uncertainty, how ethical notions can inform financial decision-making, and how important economics is in financial decision-making. You will gain an appreciation of personal diversity in financial issues and financial products. The foundation degree will also give you an insight into essential business functions such as marketing, accounting and finance, and their relevance to working life. You'll also develop relevant practical skills, in particular in information and communication technologies (ICT), numeracy, study and thinking skills, as well as the necessary skills to engage in a process of lifelong learning which will enable you to develop as a reflective practitioner in the financial services industry.

The courses within this foundation degree have been designed to allow you to study in a flexible manner through distance and work-based learning. Your study will be underpinned by tutor support and a wide range of supplementary resources, including online activities, enabling you to adapt your learning patterns to work within your own constraints.