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An image to illustrate the Certificate of Higher Education Open
Ready to explore new subjects and lay the foundation for your future success? You can enjoy the freedom of studying a range of subjects that interest you with our Certificate of Higher Education Open. Design your own multidisciplinary qualification to gain a grounding in one or more subjects or use it as the first step towards a BA/BSc (Honours) Open or Diploma of Higher Education Open. Whatever you choose, you’ll develop a breadth of knowledge and transferable skills that can boost your personal or professional ambitions.
A nationally recognised qualification in its own right, this Certificate of Higher Education is equivalent to the first third of the BA/BSc (Honours) Open (QD). Similarly, our Diploma of Higher Education Open (W34) is equivalent to the first two-thirds of the degree.
This combined studies certificate has one stage, comprising 120 credits.
At Stage 1, you’ll start with 60 credits from a choice of introductory modules, carefully selected to develop your subject knowledge and study skills. One option in this group is Making your learning count (YXM130), a 30-credit module that lets you count different types of learning, such as CPD study, towards your qualification.
To complete this stage, you’ll choose a further 60 credits from a wider selection of our other Stage 1 modules. After completing this stage, you'll be well-prepared for further study should you decide to progress to a diploma or a degree.

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll choose 60 credits from:
A variety of Stage 1 key introductory option modules
60See list

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll choose 60 credits from:
A variety of Stage 1 option modules
60See list

By studying this certificate, you’ll:
You’ll be supported throughout by personal tutors, varied learning materials, online tutorials, and regular feedback.
You’ll be awarded a Certificate of Higher Education Open 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.
You’ll begin your Certificate of Higher Education Open with one of a range of introductory modules, which will provide you with a foundation in your chosen subject(s) and help develop general study skills. You may want to focus on one subject, such as science or the humanities, but there's nothing to stop you from studying modules from entirely different areas.
For certain subject areas – such as biology, economics, or psychology – you may need to include specific modules or have completed previous study so that you’re prepared to study. For the following subject areas, we also have online tools that will help you decide if you’re ready:
We’ll help you choose the right module at the right stage, contact us to speak to an adviser or read the individual module descriptions for details.
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:
The Certificate of Higher Education Open is an ideal way to showcase your abilities across a broad range of skills and gain a competitive edge in today's highly competitive job market.
The employers we work with know that diversity of knowledge brings great strength. They highly value OU students and graduates, describing them most often as ‘self-starters’, ‘diverse’, ‘determined’, ‘adaptable’ and ‘work-ready’. An Open certificate on your CV not only shows your skills and subject knowledge but also highlights to current or future employers that you are flexible and agile, having studied across a range of subjects.
By studying our Certificate of Higher Education Open, you can develop a diverse range of transferable skills, expertise, and capabilities, including:
You can find out more about how the OU embeds employability across all qualifications through our Employability Framework.
The flexibility of our Certificate of Higher Education Open makes it relevant to a wide range of careers and industries. It can help you to develop in your existing employment or be a passport to a whole new career. Its flexibility particularly suits people with multi-faceted work roles; and anyone needing to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding to manage changes in their current job or future career path.
From the start of your studies, our experienced Careers and Employability Services team can help you learn how to describe what you've gained from your Certificate of Higher Education Open to employers, including:
For up to three years after you finish your studies, you'll have full access to The Open University's Careers and Employability Services for a wide range of information, advice and guidance. This includes:
Some areas of the Careers and Employability Services 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. Once you are a registered student, you will also have access to career information and advice on the Open Qualifications Study Home site.
You can also visit the graduate careers website Prospects for hundreds of job ideas.
Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026
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Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
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Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026
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