Microcredentials and OU Qualifications

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You now have the option to study microcredentials as part of some postgraduate qualifications.

Microcredentials can typically be studied twice a year. Each course lasts 10 or 12 weeks and requires 10 or 13 hours of study per week. Upon completion, the credit you receive can be counted towards your postgraduate qualification.

Click the links below to reveal which microcredentials count toward each qualification.

The following microcredentials can be counted towards the MA in Online Teaching (F98):

The following microcredentials can be counted towards the MA/MSc Open (F81):

The following microcredentials can be counted towards the MBA (F61):

If you don’t have a bachelors degree, completing the six Business Management microcredentials will allow you to progress on to the MBA via the non-graduate pathway:

The following microcredentials can be counted towards the MBA (Technology Management) (F69):

If you don’t have a bachelors degree, completing the six Business Management microcredentials will allow you to progress on to the MBA via the non-graduate pathway:

The following microcredentials can be counted towards the MSc in Systems Thinking in Practice (F47):

The following microcredentials can be counted towards the Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (E80):

The following microcredentials can be counted towards the Postgraduate Diploma in Systems Thinking in Practice (E28):

The microcredentials listed for these qualifications may change over time. If we make changes, we’ll update this page as soon as possible.

If you have previously completed and been awarded credit for one of the above microcredentials and would like to count this credit towards an eligible qualification, please contact us. You'll need to meet the entry requirements and study duration for your chosen course, so you should visit the qualification page first for more details.

Follow these steps to count a microcredential towards your qualification:

1: Select your microcredential

Find out more about your chosen microcredential. The links on this page will take you to the OU course page, where you can see what you'll study.

2: Review the qualification page

Before you register, check there are no restrictions for the microcredential you’d like to study or a recommended study order for the qualification. You'll find this information on the OU qualification page.

3: Register for your course

On the course page, click the Register now button, then follow the instructions to register for your microcredential.

You’ll still get the same expert OU study materials, but the learning experience for an OU microcredential is different when compared to an OU module. We’ve outlined the key differences between a 15-credit microcredential and a 15-credit OU module below to show you how.

	OU microcredential MCred	OU module Module
Credits per course Credits per course	15 credits (awarded by The Open University) 15 credits (awarded by The Open University)	15 credits (awarded by The Open University) 15 credits (awarded by The Open University)
Who will I study with? Who will I study with?	The Open University The Open University	The Open University The Open University
Start date(s) Start date(s)	Typically, twice per year Typically, twice per year	Typically, once/twice per year Typically, once/twice per year
Course length Course length	12 weeks 12 weeks	Approx. 24 weeks* Approx. 24 weeks*
Study hours per week Study hours per week	13 hours per week 13 hours per week	Approx. 6.5 hours per week* Approx. 6.5 hours per week*
How will I be assessed? How will I be assessed?	Final assessment marked by academic experts Final assessment marked by academic experts	Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs)* End-of-Module Assessment (EMA)* Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs)* End-of-Module Assessment (EMA)*
Learning style Learning style	Social learning Social learning	Supported distance learning Supported distance learning
Tutors and support Tutors and support	An on-course mentor with an excellent understanding of the course subject will guide discussions and answer questions in a designated discussion help area near the end of each week's content. You can expect a response within 48 hours. Typically, there is a 100-1 average mentor-student ratio. An on-course mentor with an excellent understanding of the course subject will guide discussions and answer questions in a designated discussion help area near the end of each week's content. You can expect a response within 48 hours. Typically, there is a 100-1 average mentor-student ratio.	You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material, mark and comment on your assignments and provide advice and guidance. There may also be student forums, and these will be facilitated by a number of tutors on the module. Typically, there is a 20:1 tutor-student ratio. You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material, mark and comment on your assignments and provide advice and guidance. There may also be student forums, and these will be facilitated by a number of tutors on the module. Typically, there is a 20:1 tutor-student ratio.
Regular tutorials Regular tutorials	No No	Yes Yes
Can I access the OU Library? Can I access the OU Library?	No No	Yes Yes
How will my course be awarded? How will my course be awarded?	Distinction, Merit, Pass, Fail Distinction, Merit, Pass, Fail	Distinction, Merit, Pass, Fail (entitled to resubmit), Fail Distinction, Merit, Pass, Fail (entitled to resubmit), Fail

*Please note the details for specific OU modules may vary; always check the module descriptions for details.

Get in touch if you have any questions about microcredentials or your qualification.

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