Course typesHonours degreesIntegrated masters degreesFoundation degreesDiplomas of Higher EducationCertificates of Higher EducationOpen University certificatesOpen qualificationsHigher Technical QualificationsMicrocredentialsModulesShort coursesAll coursesStudent storiesCareersAccountancyCounsellingEngineeringEnvironmentIT and computingLawManagementMental healthPsychologySocial workScienceTeachingWorking with childrenEmployability and the OUInternational recognitionApprenticeshipsWhat is distance learning?A guide to our qualificationsHow long will my qualification take?How will I study?Tutors and tutorialsHow will I be assessed?Support and the OU communityAsk a studentOpen daysOur global reputationFAQsCan I do it?Finding time to studyIs my English good enough?Computing skillsGetting started with an Access moduleDisability supportFees and fundingTuition fee loanMonthly instalmentsEmployer sponsorshipCredit or debit cardEnhanced learning creditsMixed paymentsStudy costs fundingCarers' ScholarshipCare Experienced ScholarshipScholarship for Black StudentsDisabled Veterans' ScholarshipsSanctuary ScholarshipHow to applyTransferring your studyCourse typesMasters degreesPostgraduate diplomasPostgraduate certificatesMicrocredentialsPostgraduate modulesPostgraduate distance learningPostgraduate qualificationsPostgraduate entry requirementsHow will I study?Tutors and assessmentSupport, networking and communityDisability supportFees and fundingPostgraduate loanMonthly instalmentsCredit or debit cardEmployer sponsorshipMixed paymentsCredit transferOU bursariesStudy costs fundingDisability financial assistanceCreative Writing ScholarshipDisabled Veterans' ScholarshipsResearch degreesResearch areasDegrees we offerFees and studentshipsApplication processBeing an OU research studentStudent viewsFAQsCourse typesHonours degreesIntegrated masters degreesFoundation degreesDiplomas of Higher EducationCertificates of Higher EducationOpen University certificatesOpen qualificationsHigher Technical QualificationsMicrocredentialsModulesShort coursesAll coursesStudent storiesCareersAccountancyCounsellingEngineeringEnvironmentIT and computingLawManagementMental healthPsychologySocial workScienceTeachingWorking with childrenEmployability and the OUInternational recognitionApprenticeshipsWhat is distance learning?A guide to our qualificationsHow long will my qualification take?How will I study?Tutors and tutorialsHow will I be assessed?Support and the OU communityAsk a studentOpen daysOur global reputationFAQsCan I do it?Finding time to studyIs my English good enough?Computing skillsGetting started with an Access moduleDisability supportFees and fundingTuition fee loanMonthly instalmentsEmployer sponsorshipCredit or debit cardEnhanced learning creditsMixed paymentsStudy costs fundingCarers' ScholarshipCare Experienced ScholarshipScholarship for Black StudentsDisabled Veterans' ScholarshipsSanctuary ScholarshipHow to applyTransferring your study

England

Please tell us where you live so that we can provide you with the most relevant information as you use this website.
If you are at a BFPO address please choose the country or region in which you would ordinarily be resident.
Accessibility statement
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.
T09
Certificate of Higher EducationUndergraduate120
Part-time – 2 years
Full-time – 1 yearOctober 2026February 2027April 2027
Distance learning
Choose modules from a wide range of subject areas and create your own multidisciplinary qualification Develop a unique skill set to stand out to employers Flexibility to adapt your study plans to match your evolving aspirations Count previous university study towards your qualification A perfect first step towards a degree or diploma of higher education
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.
T09
Certificate of Higher EducationUndergraduate120
Part-time – 2 years
Full-time – 1 yearOctober 2026February 2027April 2027
Distance learning
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:
Design your own qualification – Select modules from across arts, sciences, social sciences, and more to suit your personal or career interests. Build a foundation for further study – Use this certificate as a stepping stone toward an honours degree, DipHE, or a broader OU qualification. Explore a range of subjects – Gain knowledge and transferable skills as you move between topics. Develop independent learning skills – Manage your own study, use digital tools, and reflect on feedback.
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.
Certificate of Higher Education Open
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'll study 120 credits a year You'll need 32–36 hours per week
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.
You'll study 60 credits a year You'll need 16–18 hours per week
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:
a weekly study planner, along with course materials like reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities module discussion forums and collaborative activities to connect with other learners a clear overview of assignments and due dates tools to book tutorials, access online tutorial rooms, and contact your tutor.
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:
Computer-Marked Assignments – often multiple-choice questions completed online. Tutor-Marked Assignments – tasks like essays, questions, experiments, or other activities. You’ll submit them by a set deadline and receive detailed feedback from your tutor. End-of-Module Assessments – These are the final marked assignments for most modules. Modules with an end-of-module assessment usually don’t have an exam. Exams – Some modules have exams you will sit remotely. However, we regularly review the assessments in our modules, so we may update the examination methods used in this qualification to include in-person exams or remotely invigilated (proctored) exams.
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:
access to the OU’s extensive online library, filled with study resources the ability to use other university libraries across the UK and Ireland the online Help Centre, offering study tips and support free access to Microsoft Office 365 software IT support through our Computing Helpdesk the chance to connect with the OU community.
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:
Engineering Health Science Languages Mathematics Science
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:
a computer and the internet to access our learning resources and to participate in online tutorials.
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of 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:
help with study-related costs like set books and internet access a free introductory Access module to build your confidence and skills funding to study an OU qualification for free from our Carers’ Scholarships Fund if you are, or have recently been, an unpaid carer a Care Experienced Scholarship to study an OU qualification for free if you're care experienced and aged 25 and under a Sanctuary Scholarship to study an OU qualification for free if you’ve been displaced from your homeland for political, economic, ethnic, environmental, or human rights pressures funding from our Scholarship for Black Students to study an OU qualification for free if you identify as being from a Black background
The Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is a government grant to cover study support costs if you have a disability. It’s not means-tested, and there’s no age limit. Visit our Supporting students with disabilities page to find out more. If your disability is a result of being injured in, or due to, military service, you could be eligible for our Disabled Veterans’ Scholarship Fund.
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:
Initiative, self-management and resilience Commercial and sector awareness Communication Collaboration Digital and information literacy Numeracy Problem-solving.
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:
explaining how you achieved your qualification how to present the valuable skills and strengths it has given you highlighting the subjects studied by including your module choices in CVs and applications.
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:
a range of self-directed activities, resources and downloadable guides intelligent tools such as interview simulation and CV review tools powered by AI (Artificial Intelligence) online career skills workshops employer panel sessions and direct connections with employers advertising opportunities to OU students email, phone or video consultations with a Careers and Employability Consultant.
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
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
content