How to apply

There are some choices to make before starting your studies with us.

Follow the steps below to choose the right course for you.

Make studying more affordable with a Part-Time Tuition Fee Loan. You can start studying without paying a penny upfront. You won’t have to pay anything back for up to four years and not until you’re earning more than £25,000 a year (current income threshold).

Explore all your funding options in our Fees and funding in England guide

Explore

Discover what it's like to study at the OU and everything you need to know to get started.

1. What is OU study like?

Our unique approach to distance learning means you don't have to put life on hold to get the qualification you want. You'll have high-quality materials and support from module tutors, advisers, and fellow students. Discover OU distance learning.

2. Choose course

The OU offers around 120 undergraduate qualifications. Find the right course for you in our A to Z of subjects.

Have you studied at Higher Education level before?

If so, you may be able to count your previous study towards an OU qualification, saving you time and money. At the OU, we call this credit transfer.

Don’t miss the deadline! You’ll need to apply for credit transfer 4–5 weeks before the registration closing date of your course.

Find out more about credit transfer and check your eligibility.

3. Find time

70% of OU students work full time, so we are experts in helping you to fit study around your life. Most will take six years to study part-time for a degree, putting aside around 18 hours a week. Try our time planner to see how much time you have free to study.

4. Funding options

There are a range of flexible funding options to help make studying more affordable. Find out more about your funding options.

Register

A guide to help you through the registration process.

5. Start registration

To secure your place, you need to register – don't worry; there's nothing to pay at this stage. Go to your chosen qualification, select your preferred start date, and click 'Register Now'.

6. Choose modules

We'll ask you to select the module you intend to study in your first year. Some modules on your chosen qualification will be compulsory, while others may be selected from a list of options.

7. Organise funding

You'll need to tell us how you'll be funding your chosen module. If you've opted for a student loan, you'll need to apply directly to Student Finance England (it can take 6–8 weeks for your application to be processed, so we recommend applying early). Find out more about how to apply for a student loan.

8. Complete registration

To complete your registration, you'll need to confirm your funding method. For example, inform us that you've applied for a student loan and have received your Customer Reference Number (CRN).

Start

Prepare yourself for study and start your OU journey.

9. Prepare for study

As soon as your payment is confirmed, we'll help you get started, from familiarising yourself with our helpful resources to becoming part of the OU Community to finding your way around your course materials. You’ll be ready to hit the ground running.

10. Start course

That’s it. You’re a fully-fledged OU student and ready to get going. You won't be alone: you'll get support from your tutor, your Student Support Team and your fellow students.