Fees | Funding | Scholarships | The Open University

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Over 85% of students pay nothing up front by funding their studies with a student loan.

Qualifications at The Open University are made up of a series of modules. Every module has an individual fee – added together, they give you the total cost.

You’ll fund your modules as you study them, so you won’t have to pay for your whole qualification upfront.

The cost per year depends on how many modules you choose to take. With us, you have the flexibility to adjust the pace of your studies each year to fit around your work, family and other commitments.

Part-time study is roughly equivalent to studying at half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	2 2	£4,088 £4,088	£8,176 £8,176
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	4 4	£4,088 £4,088	£16,352 £16,352
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	6 6	£4,088 £4,088	£24,528 £24,528

Studying full-time is equivalent to studying at the same rate as a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	1 1	£8,176 £8,176	£8,176 £8,176
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	2 2	£8,176 £8,176	£16,352 £16,352
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	3 3	£8,176 £8,176	£24,528 £24,528

All OU students are considered part-time students for funding purposes, even if they study at a full-time pace. Studying at a full-time pace may affect your entitlement to certain UK Government means-tested benefits. If this applies to you, contact the Department for Work and Pensions for further advice.

Your module materials, tuition, assessment and exams are all included in our module fees.

Some additional costs aren’t included:

You can find more information about additional costs in our qualification and module descriptions.

Our qualifications cost less than equivalent-level qualifications offered at campus-based universities.

Qualification Qualification	The OU* The OU*	Campus unis Campus unis	Saving Saving
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	£8,176 £8,176	£9,790 £9,790	£1,614 £1,614
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	£16,352 £16,352	£19,580 £19,580	£3,228 £3,228
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	£24,528 £24,528	£29,370 £29,370	£4,842 £4,842

*The fee information provided above is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to a fee limit, as set out in the University's

Fee Rules

**Maximum chargeable fees for 26/27 academic year.

Depending on your circumstances, you could be eligible to apply for one or more of the following:

This page covers undergraduate qualifications. If you’re planning to study a postgraduate course, you’ll find fee, loan and funding information on our dedicated postgraduate page.

View postgraduate fees and funding

2 minutes and 2 seconds

Find out about what’s included in your course fees and the funding options available to you.

In terms of the quality of education I’ve received, it’s been great. For me, the biggest benefit of the OU is that I can earn whilst I learn. I have friends who don’t know how they’re going to cope with the cost of living away from home.

The flexibility of the OU was crucial to my studying...I funded my studies entirely through student finance. I worked to support myself, but the money for my degree was via a loan.

Get up to £4,590 a year of non-repayable funding paid directly to you to help with living costs.

Qualifications at The Open University are made up of a series of modules. Every module has an individual fee – added together, they give you the total cost.

You’ll fund your modules as you study them, so you won’t have to pay for your whole qualification upfront.

The cost per year depends on how many modules you choose to take. With us, you have the flexibility to adjust the pace of your studies each year to fit around your work, family and other commitments.

Part-time study is roughly equivalent to studying at half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	2 2	£1,436 £1,436	£2,872 £2,872
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	4 4	£1,436 £1,436	£5,744 £5,744
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	6 6	£1,436 £1,436	£8,616 £8,616

Studying full-time is equivalent to studying at the same rate as a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	1 1	£2,872 £2,872	£2,872 £2,872
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	2 2	£2,872 £2,872	£5,744 £5,744
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	3 3	£2,872 £2,872	£8,616 £8,616

Your module materials, tuition, assessment and exams are all included in our module fees.

Some additional costs aren’t included:

You can find more information about additional costs in our qualification and module descriptions.

*The fee information provided above is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our

Fee Rules

Pay nothing upfront – over 80% of our new students in Wales fund their studies with a Part-Time Tuition Fee Loan (sometimes called a student loan), meaning they pay nothing upfront.

Learn more about this and our other funding options below.

You could qualify for a Student Finance Wales tuition fee loan to re-skill or up-skill in psychology, science, computing, maths, nursing or healthcare, even if you've received one previously.

Depending on your circumstances, you could be eligible to apply for one or more of the following:

This page covers undergraduate qualifications. If you’re planning to study a postgraduate course, you’ll find fee, loan and funding information on our dedicated postgraduate page.

View postgraduate fees and funding

2 minutes and 12 seconds

Find out about what’s included in your course fees and the funding options available to you.

I wouldn't have been able to do the degree without the funding that's available. I wouldn't have been able to pay my bills. The grant makes it possible to study and work at the same time.

You could study for free if you earn less than £25,000 a year or are on certain benefits.

If you don’t qualify to study for free with a Part-Time Fee Grant, don’t worry. Our costs are transparent, so you’ll know exactly what to expect from the outset.

Qualifications at The Open University are made up of a series of modules. Every module has an individual fee – added together, they give you the total cost.

You’ll fund your modules as you study them, so you won’t have to pay for your whole qualification up front.

The cost per year depends on how many modules you choose to take. With us, you have the flexibility to adjust the pace of your studies each year to fit around your work, family and other commitments.

Part-time study is roughly equivalent to studying at half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	2 2	£1,336 £1,336	£2,672 £2,672
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	4 4	£1,336 £1,336	£5,344 £5,344
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	6 6	£1,336 £1,336	£8,016 £8,016

Studying full-time is equivalent to studying at the same rate as a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	1 1	£2,672 £2,672	£2,672 £2,672
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	2 2	£2,672 £2,672	£5,344 £5,344
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	3 3	£2,672 £2,672	£8,016 £8,016

Your module materials, tuition, assessment and exams are all included in our module fees.

Some additional costs aren’t included:

You can find more information about additional costs in our qualification and module descriptions.

*The fee information provided above is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our

Fee Rules

Study for free – if your personal income is £25,000 or less, or you’re receiving certain benefits, you could qualify for a Part-Time Fee Grant and top-up funding to cover 100% of your module fees.

Learn more about this and our other funding options below.

Depending on your circumstances, you could be eligible to apply for one or more of the following:

This page covers undergraduate qualifications. If you’re planning to study a postgraduate course, you’ll find fee, loan and funding information on our dedicated postgraduate page.

View postgraduate fees and funding

2 minutes and 2 seconds

Find out about what’s included in your course fees and the funding options available to you.

Fortunately, I didn’t need to pay for my degree because of how much I earned at the time, so it was funded by a Part-Time Fee Grant. I would hate to be in debt. All of my friends have got crazy amounts of debt, and they’re all jealous of me now.

You could get a non-repayable grant of up to £1,230 a year towards your module fees.

Qualifications at The Open University are made up of a series of modules. Every module has an individual fee – added together, they give you the total cost.

You’ll fund your modules as you study them, so you won’t have to pay for your whole qualification upfront.

The cost per year depends on how many modules you choose to take. With us, you have the flexibility to adjust the pace of your studies each year to fit around your work, family and other commitments.

Part-time study is roughly equivalent to studying at half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	2 2	£1,300 £1,300	£2,600 £2,600
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	4 4	£1,300 £1,300	£5,200 £5,200
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	6 6	£1,300 £1,300	£7,800 £7,800

Studying full-time is equivalent to studying at the same rate as a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	1 1	£2,600 £2,600	£2,600 £2,600
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	2 2	£2,600 £2,600	£5,200 £5,200
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	3 3	£2,600 £2,600	£7,800 £7,800

Your module materials, tuition, assessment and exams are all included in our module fees.

Some additional costs aren’t included:

You can find more information about additional costs in our qualification and module descriptions.

*The fee information provided above is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our

Fee Rules

Non-repayable funding – you could get a Part-Time Fee Grant of up to £1,230 each year to help pay your module fees.

Learn more about this and our other funding options below.

Depending on your circumstances, you could be eligible to apply for one or more of the following:

This page covers undergraduate qualifications. If you’re planning to study a postgraduate course, you’ll find fee, loan and funding information on our dedicated postgraduate page.

View postgraduate fees and funding

2 minutes and 7 seconds

Find out about what’s included in your course fees and the funding options available to you.

I wanted to do something for myself and liked the fact that OU study was so flexible, meaning I could combine learning with all the other commitments in my life...I took advantage of the OUSBA scheme and paid my module fees in instalments.

Qualifications at The Open University are made up of a series of modules. Every module has an individual fee – added together, they give you the total cost.

You’ll fund your modules as you study them, so you won’t have to pay for your whole qualification upfront.

The cost per year depends on how many modules you choose to take. With us, you have the flexibility to adjust the pace of your studies each year to fit around your work, family and other commitments.

Part-time study is roughly equivalent to studying at half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	2 2	£4,420 £4,420	£8,840 £8,840
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	4 4	£4,420 £4,420	£17,680 £17,680
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	6 6	£4,420 £4,420	£26,520 £26,520

Studying full-time is equivalent to studying at the same rate as a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	1 1	£8,840 £8,840	£8,840 £8,840
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	2 2	£8,840 £8,840	£17,680 £17,680
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	3 3	£8,840 £8,840	£26,520 £26,520

Your module materials, tuition, assessment and exams are all included in our module fees.

Some additional costs aren’t included:

You can find more information about additional costs in our qualification and module descriptions.

*The fee information provided above is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our

Fee Rules

Find out about all our available funding options below.

This page covers undergraduate qualifications. If you’re planning to study a postgraduate course, you’ll find fee, loan and funding information on our dedicated postgraduate page.

View postgraduate fees and funding

Many students pay their fees in instalments with a loan from The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd.

I couldn’t have studied through other universities because of the cost. The value for money that you got from the OU was incredible and, along with the flexibility of distance learning, it did make it a more feasible option.

Qualifications at The Open University are made up of a series of modules. Every module has an individual fee – added together, they give you the total cost.

You’ll fund your modules as you study them, so you won’t have to pay for your whole qualification upfront.

The cost per year depends on how many modules you choose to take. With us, you have the flexibility to adjust the pace of your studies each year to fit around your work, family and other commitments.

Part-time study is roughly equivalent to studying at half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	2 2	£3,848 £3,848	£7,696 £7,696
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	4 4	£3,848 £3,848	£15,392 £15,392
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	6 6	£3,848 £3,848	£23,088 £23,088

Studying full-time is equivalent to studying at the same rate as a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	1 1	£7,696 £7,696	£7,696 £7,696
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	2 2	£7,696 £7,696	£15,392 £15,392
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	3 3	£7,696 £7,696	£23,088 £23,088

Your module materials, tuition, assessment and exams are all included in our module fees.

Some additional costs aren’t included:

You can find more information about additional costs in our qualification and module descriptions.

*The fee information provided above is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our

Fee Rules

Find out about all our available funding options below.

This page covers undergraduate qualifications. If you’re planning to study a postgraduate course, you’ll find fee, loan and funding information on our dedicated postgraduate page.

View postgraduate fees and funding

Many students pay their fees in instalments with a loan from The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd.

Qualifications at The Open University are made up of a series of modules. Every module has an individual fee – added together, they give you the total cost.

You’ll fund your modules as you study them, so you won’t have to pay for your whole qualification upfront.

The cost per year depends on how many modules you choose to take. With us, you have the flexibility to adjust the pace of your studies each year to fit around your work, family and other commitments.

Part-time study is roughly equivalent to studying at half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	2 2	£4,420 £4,420	£8,840 £8,840
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	4 4	£4,420 £4,420	£17,680 £17,680
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	6 6	£4,420 £4,420	£26,520 £26,520

Studying full-time is equivalent to studying at the same rate as a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	1 1	£8,840 £8,840	£8,840 £8,840
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	2 2	£8,840 £8,840	£17,680 £17,680
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	3 3	£8,840 £8,840	£26,520 £26,520

Your module materials, tuition, assessment and exams are all included in our module fees.

Some additional costs aren’t included:

You can find more information about additional costs in our qualification and module descriptions.

As an international student, you can earn a fully accredited degree from a world-leading institution while paying significantly less in fees compared to traditional UK campus-based universities.

Our online model is designed to offer greater flexibility and value, without compromising on academic quality.

Studying with The Open University also means you can learn from home, avoiding the extra costs of living abroad – saving you on average an additional £900–£1400 per month.

*The fee information provided above is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our *Fee Rules*.

**Average overseas study fees in England and average living costs for the 24/25 academic year, based on the British Council's analysis of the *Cost of studying and living in the UK*.
Qualification Qualification	The OU* The OU*	Campus unis Campus unis	Saving Saving
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	£8,840 £8,840	£24,700 £24,700	£15,860 £15,860
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	£17,680 £17,680	£49,400 £49,400	£31,720 £31,720
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	£26,520 £26,520	£74,100 £74,100	£47,580 £47,580

Find out about all our available funding options below.

This page covers undergraduate qualifications. If you’re planning to study a postgraduate course, you’ll find fee, loan and funding information on our dedicated postgraduate page.

View postgraduate fees and funding

Many students pay their fees in instalments with a loan from The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd.

Qualifications at The Open University are made up of a series of modules. Every module has an individual fee – added together, they give you the total cost.

You’ll fund your modules as you study them, so you won’t have to pay for your whole qualification upfront.

The cost per year depends on how many modules you choose to take. With us, you have the flexibility to adjust the pace of your studies each year to fit around your work, family and other commitments.

Part-time study is roughly equivalent to studying at half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	2 2	£4,420 £4,420	£8,840 £8,840
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	4 4	£4,420 £4,420	£17,680 £17,680
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	6 6	£4,420 £4,420	£26,520 £26,520

Studying full-time is equivalent to studying at the same rate as a full-time course at a campus-based university.

Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Cost per year* Cost per year*	Total cost* Total cost*
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	1 1	£8,840 £8,840	£8,840 £8,840
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	2 2	£8,840 £8,840	£17,680 £17,680
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	3 3	£8,840 £8,840	£26,520 £26,520

Your module materials, tuition, assessment and exams are all included in our module fees.

Some additional costs aren’t included:

You can find more information about additional costs in our qualification and module descriptions.

As an international student, you can earn an accredited UK degree for less than half the cost of the UK’s traditional, campus-based universities.

Our online model is designed to offer greater flexibility and value, without compromising on academic quality.

Studying with The Open University also means you can learn from home, avoiding the extra costs of living abroad – saving you on average an additional £900–£1400 per month.

*The fee information provided above is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our *Fee Rules*.

**Average overseas study fees in England and average living costs for the 24/25 academic year, based on the British Council's analysis of the *Cost of studying and living in the UK*.
Qualification Qualification	The OU* The OU*	Campus unis Campus unis	Saving Saving
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) Certificate of higher education (120 credits)	£8,840 £8,840	£24,700 £24,700	£15,860 £15,860
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) Diploma of higher education (240 credits)	£17,680 £17,680	£49,400 £49,400	£31,720 £31,720
Honours degree (360 credits) Honours degree (360 credits)	£26,520 £26,520	£74,100 £74,100	£47,580 £47,580

Find out about all our available funding options below.

This page covers undergraduate qualifications. If you’re planning to study a postgraduate course, you’ll find fee, loan and funding information on our dedicated postgraduate page.

View postgraduate fees and funding

Fees and funding in England

Pay nothing up front

How much will it cost?

Part-time

Full-time

What’s included?

How do our fees compare with other universities?

Funding your studies

Tuition Fee Loan

OUSBA loan

Employer sponsorship

Card payments

Enhanced Learning Credits (ELCs)

Mixed payments

Credit transfer

Scholarships and other support

Free OU Access module

Study-Related Costs Funding

Carers’ Scholarship

Care Experienced Scholarship

Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)

Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund

Scholarship for Black Students

Sanctuary Scholarship

Looking for postgraduate fees and funding?

Financial support

How much will it cost?

Part-time

Full-time

What’s included?

Funding your studies

Part-Time Tuition Fee Loan

OUSBA loan

Employer sponsorship

Card payments

Enhanced Learning Credits (ELCs)

Mixed payments

Credit transfer

Already have a degree?

Degree holder loans

Financial support and scholarships

Financial support

Free OU Access module

Study-Related Costs Funding

Carers’ Scholarship

Care Experienced Scholarship

Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)

Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund

Scholarship for Black Students

Sanctuary Scholarship

Looking for postgraduate fees and funding?

Study for free

How much will it cost?

Part-time

Full-time

What’s included?

Funding your studies

Part-Time Fee Grant

OUSBA loan

Employer sponsorship

Card payments

Enhanced Learning Credits (ELCs)

Mixed payments

Credit transfer

Scholarships and other support

Free OU Access module

Study-Related Costs Funding

Carers’ Scholarship

Care Experienced Scholarship

Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)

Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund

Scholarship for Black Students

Sanctuary Scholarship

Looking for postgraduate fees and funding?

Non-repayable funding

How much will it cost?

Part-time

Full-time

What’s included?

Funding your studies