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An image to illustrate the Certificate of Higher Education in Arts and Humanities
This certificate provides a broad introduction to the arts and humanities, including art history, classical studies, English, history, music, philosophy and religious studies. You’ll expand your cultural horizons whilst learning to think and argue clearly. You can combine this with options that include the opportunity to specialise further in the arts and humanities or gain an introduction to a modern language, design, the social sciences, or business and management. Apart from sheer enjoyment, it offers excellent preparation for further study and will give your career prospects a boost.
This arts and humanities certificate has one stage, comprising 120 credits.
You’ll begin with a stimulating introduction to the arts and humanities, studying diverse topics from across different periods and civilisations while developing essential study skills and approaches. You can build on this with one of our recommended modules. Cultures includes a particular focus on art history, classical studies, creative writing and English literature, whereas Revolutions focuses primarily on history, music, philosophy and religious studies.
Alternatively, you can choose from modules in subjects such as languages, social sciences, business, or design.

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll start your certificate with:
Discovering the arts and humanities (A111)60Oct | Feb
You’ll also choose 60 credits from:
Cultures (A112)60Oct | Feb
Revolutions (A113)60Oct | Feb
You and your world: introducing the social sciences (D112)60Oct | Feb
Global challenges: social science in action (D113)60Oct | Feb
Encountering psychology in context (D120)60Oct | Feb
Introducing English language studies (L101)60Oct
Exploring languages and cultures (L161)30Oct
Introduction to French studies (beginners) (L102)30Oct
Introduction to German studies (beginners) (L103)30Oct
Introduction to Spanish studies (beginners) (L106)30Oct
French studies 1 (intermediate) (L112)30Oct
German studies 1 (intermediate) (L113)30Oct
Spanish studies 1 (intermediate) (L116)30Oct
Beginners’ Chinese (L108)30Oct
Making your learning count (YXM130)30Oct

By studying this certificate, you’ll:
You’ll be supported throughout by personal tutors, flexible materials, online activities, and regular feedback.
You’ll be awarded a Certificate of Higher Education in Arts and Humanities upon successful completion.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
You can achieve this certificate in as little as one year and have a maximum of seven years to complete it. Our module-by-module approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that works best for you.
You can complete this certificate in one year by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.
You can complete this certificate in two years by studying part-time. That’s roughly half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.
At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.
As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.
Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:
Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.
Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.
For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.
See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.
Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:
Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.
If you’ve studied at university level before, you may be able to transfer the academic credit you've been awarded towards an OU qualification. This could save you time and money by reducing the modules you need to study.
It’s not just university study that can be considered; you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications, such as HNCs and HNDs.
You should apply to transfer credit before registering, at least four weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where, and when, and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.
For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

2 years
£4,088*
A certificate is worth 120 credits. The fee per year is based on studying 60 credits per year for 2 years.
£8,176*
This qualification also includes option modules with lower fees than standard, which, if studied, will reduce the total cost.
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, you'll need:
*The fee information provided here 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.

Over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Tuition Fee Loan, meaning they pay nothing upfront.
Repay in monthly instalments while you study.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
If you’re a serving member of the British Armed Forces (or you’ve recently left), you may be eligible to use ELCs to cover up to 100% of your course fees.
You may be eligible for:
This certificate of higher education will help you develop essential transferable skills, such as how to read and review different kinds of information, how to use information as evidence to back up an argument, and how to develop a focused approach to writing. You'll also develop information literacy skills, often in an online environment. All these are greatly valued in the world beyond study, both at work and in the voluntary sector.
The breadth of study and training in clear thinking and communication make this course relevant to a wide variety of careers. These include:
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you'll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice. This includes online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we've put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience:
Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026
Ask a question
Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
Request a prospectus
Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026
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