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Making your learning count

This innovative and flexible OU level 1 module allows you to count different types of learning towards a formal OU qualification. The type of study you can count includes courses from the OU’s free learning website, OpenLearn, other open educational resources (OERs) or learning programmes you may have undertaken through work or elsewhere. Through a series of topics and assessments, you will explore what you have learnt whilst developing the skills you need to be a successful student. You choose the courses to include, making this learning experience an entirely personal one. Your tutor will help you identify your learning goals and plan your study to meet your specific needs and interests.

Modules count towards OU qualifications

OU qualifications are modular in structure; the credits from this undergraduate module could count towards a certificate of higher education, diploma of higher education, foundation degree or honours degree.

This is an optional module in our:

Foundation Degree in Combined Professional Studies (X13)

BA (Honours) Arts and Humanities (R14)

BA (Honours) Business Management (Q91)
BA (Honours) Marketing and Business Management

BA/BSc (Honours) Open (QD)

BSc (Honours) Combined STEM (R28)

BSc (Honours) Mathematics (Q31)

BSc (Honours) Mathematics and Statistics (Q36)

BSc (Honours) Mathematics and its Learning (Q46)



 

Module

Module code

YXM130

Credits

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
30

Study level

Across the UK, there are two parallel frameworks for higher education qualifications, the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Northern Ireland and Wales (FHEQ) and the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). These define a hierarchy of levels and describe the achievement expected at each level. The information provided shows how OU module levels correspond to these frameworks.
Level of Study
OU SCQF FHEQ
1 7 4

Study method

Distance Learning

Module cost

See Module registration

Entry requirements

See Entry requirements

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What you will study

Open educational resources (OERs) provide a valuable platform for learning about a wide variety of topics and subjects. This module allows you to take what you have learnt and use it towards the OU qualifications outlined above.

You will need to select 150 hours of learning to bring to the module, some or all of which may have been completed already. This may come from the OU’s free learning website, OpenLearn, or other specified OER sites. This includes edX, Coursera and OERu. To get an idea of what you could choose to study with this module, check out our example study pathways.

You will also study consolidating material and complete assessments which ask you to analyse and reflect on your OER study. You will develop a range of study skills including the ability to plan and reflect on your learning. You will learn how to communicate your learning through a variety of tools, and interact with other students through giving and receiving peer feedback. Drawing on the study you have selected to bring to the module, you will also be introduced to ideas of interdisciplinarity and multidisciplinarity to develop an understanding of the power and importance of making connections between disciplines.

The final assessment task provides you with an opportunity to consolidate your learning as you approach the completion of this module.

You will learn

The module allows you to select learning to suit your interests and will help you explore what happens when you bring different knowledge, skills and learning experiences together. You will discover the richness that comes from thinking about a topic from a variety of angles. This new insight may confirm that your learning goals are exactly as you had originally planned, or it may open a whole new world of possibilities.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

Most tutorials are conducted 1:1 between you and your tutor, although there will be opportunities for collaboration with other students. Your tutor will help you plan your work and think about the ideas explored in the module. Your tutor will also comment on and support you with your assessments.

Assessment

The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box.

Future availability

Making your learning count (YXM130) starts once a year - in October.

This page describes the module that will start in October 2025.

We expect it to start for the last time in October 2029.

Regulations

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.

Course work includes:

6 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
End-of-module assessment


Entry requirements

Although there are no formal entry requirements, this module is most suitable if you have completed some study using The Open University’s free learning website, OpenLearn, or other specified OER. This includes edX, Coursera and OERu or any other OER.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.

Register

Start End England fee Register
04 Oct 2025 Jun 2026 £949.00

Registration closes 11/09/25 (places subject to availability)

Register
This module is expected to start for the last time in October 2026.

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In the meantime, explore our overview of Fees and funding.

Can you study an Access module for free?

Depending on eligibility and availability of places, you could apply to study your Access module for free.

To qualify, you must:

  1. be resident in England
  2. have a household income of not more than £25,000 (or be in receipt of a qualifying benefit)
  3. have not completed one year or more on any full-time undergraduate programme at FHEQ level 4 or above or successfully completed 30 credits or more of OU study within the last 10 years

How to apply to study an Access module for free

Once you've started the registration process, either online or over the phone, we'll contact you about your payment options. This will include instructions on how you can apply to study for free if you are eligible and funded places are still available.

If you're unsure if you meet the criteria to study for free, you can check with one of our friendly advisers on +44 (0)300 303 0069, or you can request a call back.

Not eligible to study for free?

Don't worry! We offer a choice of flexible ways to help spread the cost of your Access module. The most popular options include:

  • monthly payments through OUSBA
  • part-time tuition fee loan (you'll need to be registered on a qualification for this option)

To explore all the options available to you, visit Fees and Funding.

What's included

You'll have access to a module website, which includes:

  • a study planner
  • course-specific module materials
  • video content
  • assignment details and submission section
  • online tutorial access

You'll also have personalised support and one-to-one phone tutorials.

Computing requirements

  • Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer. It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
  • Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
  • Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
  • Operating systems – Windows 11 or latest supported macOS. Microsoft will no longer support Windows 10 as of 14 October 2025.
  • Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
  • Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended. Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.

If you have a disability

The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying YXM130 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 pages.