We are the experts in supported distance learning. The Open University has been innovating for over 50 years to help more than two million students realise their ambition.
Our students come from every part of Wales and lead busy lives, balancing their studies with their everyday circumstances and responsibilities. Open University study is flexible, fitting around your life, with support at every step of the way. That’s why more disabled students choose to study with The Open University than any other UK university. Last year alone, the OU supported over 28,000 students with disabilities and additional needs.
Distance learning doesn’t mean you’ll be on your own. As an OU student, you'll be supported by:
You're never on your own at the OU.
The OU's Student Support Team helped me by making my tutors aware that I was struggling with my mental health.
You won’t have ever been so supported, so encouraged, so enabled as you will being part of the OU family.
Read Beck's story
If you have any challenges that affect the way you study, the way we need to communicate with you or the way you access study materials, then we want to know about them. We can provide a range of adjustments so that you can make the most of your studies with us. For example:
In all these examples, as with most of the support we offer, you don't need to provide any medical evidence or have an official diagnosis. Once you’ve registered as a student, you just need to get in touch with our friendly Student Support Team in Wales and we’ll take it from there.
Even if you don’t know which support could be helpful to you, please get in touch with us and we can make some suggestions.
There are further levels of support available, including specific exam requirements or study materials in alternative formats such as large print or screen-reader friendly materials. These do require medical evidence, but the first step is to get in touch with us.
I had a laptop with ZoomText put on there for me and a screen reader so I could read documents.
Read Helen's story
There are different types of financial support available to help you during your studies.
Through our Go Wales project, you can get one-to-one coaching and mentoring from an OU employability advisor. Support is customised to your career goals but could include:
For more information, complete our expression of interest form or visit our website.
