Block 1: Web foundations
This block provides a grounding in web technologies, enabling you to appreciate what’s going on ‘behind the scenes’ when interacting with websites and web applications. It introduces the key technologies on which the Web is founded, including the historical development of the Web, protocols, standards, responsive design, accessibility and usability.
Block 2: Interactive web
The second block expands the view of the web to include the architectures and technical elements that underpin the modern, interactive web and web applications. It looks at the tools, libraries and frameworks used to build this interactive web, and broader aspects such as performance, resilience, and accessibility.
Block 3: Developing applications
The final block first looks at the server-side of application development and then steps back from the details of the technologies and their implementations to examine the broader aspects. It explores how IT professionals plan, design, and develop applications, examining project planning, design, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
Project
At the end of the module, you’ll carry out a substantial project, applying skills and techniques from each block.
The module provides IT practitioners with relevant experience, skills and insight into aspects such as the source and appropriate use of standards, appreciation of the application life cycle, and approaches to web application design and implementation. It also develops transferable skills relevant to any workplace, such as written communication skills, information literacy, independent learning and critical analysis.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
TM252 is a compulsory module in our:
TM252 is an option module in our:
Web technologies (TM252) starts once a year – in February.
This page describes the module that will start in February 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in February 2029.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
There are no formal entry requirements to study this module.
At The Open University, we believe education should be open to all, so we provide high-quality university education to anyone who wishes to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.
Even though there are no entry requirements, you’ll need an appropriate knowledge of IT obtained through any of the following:
You must be familiar with programming concepts (conditionals, loops, functions, arrays, etc.) and writing programs in a language such as Java, Python, PHP or JavaScript.
We recommend that you’ve completed:
If you have no programming experience, we recommend completing the TM252 programming boot camp before the module.
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying TM252 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
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There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your personal income is £25,000 or less, or you’re on certain benefits, you could qualify for a grant and OU top-up funding to cover 100% of your course fees. Apply online at the same time as you register on your module.
For more information on how to apply, visit our Part-Time Fee Grants for students in Scotland page.
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Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).
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Over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.
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We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may get support from your employer to pay part of your tuition fee and pay the remainder by credit or debit card.
For more information about combining payment options, contact an adviser.
Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
