This module provides a gentle start to the study of mathematics. It helps you integrate mathematical ideas into everyday thinking and builds confidence in using and learning mathematics. It covers statistical, graphical, algebraic, trigonometric and numerical concepts and techniques and introduces mathematical modelling. You'll learn skills required to study further mathematics or to successfully study many other subjects, such as business, computing, economics, education, humanities, science, social science and technology.
What you will study
To study this module successfully, you should expect to be actively doing mathematics, rather than just reading it. You will also be encouraged to develop skills in interpreting and explaining mathematics, and this aspect will be assessed in some of the assignment questions.
Providing you have the appropriate background knowledge, you should expect to study for about eight hours a week. Many of the topics covered in the module depend on your understanding of topics in earlier units. So, if you have not fully understood earlier material, you may find later material more difficult and time-consuming. This is particularly true of graphs, formulas and algebra. Naturally, the study time required for the module tends to increase before an assignment deadline.
The full content list is on the Open mathematics and statistics website.
Entry requirements
There is no formal prerequisite study.
You can check you’re ready for MU123 and see the topics it covers here.
You can find out which module is your best starting point in mathematics here.
Preparatory work
You should aim to be confident and fluent with the concepts covered in the Are you ready? quiz here, and follow the advice in the quiz.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
marking your assignments and offering detailed feedback to help you improve
providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content
guiding you to additional learning resources
facilitating online discussions between your fellow students in the dedicated forums.
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Assessment
Course work includes:
4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
5 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs)
End-of-module assessment
You'll submit your first iCMA (covering Unit 1) about two weeks after starting the module and your first TMA about a month after starting.
TMA questions typically involve calculating, creating and/or interpreting a graph or diagram, using algebra, and explaining your work and conclusions. Explaining your work is a factor that makes this a university-level module, a new approach for some, that you may find challenging initially. Some TMAs may include a short question covering a wider aspect of studying maths.
The EMA consolidates your learning; it covers the whole of the module and is compulsory.
What's included
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
a week-by-week study planner
course-specific module materials
audio and video content
assessment details and submission section
online tutorial access
access to student forums.
Additionally, the website includes:
relevant computer software and associate guidance.
We also provide physical:
module books
module guide
module handbook.
You will need
a scientific calculator (Casio with natural display recommended).
Computing requirements
Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer with at least 8 GB of RAM and a quad-core processor (2.4 GHz minimum speed). 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.
Operating systems – Windows 11 or the latest supported macOS.
Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended; Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.
Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
Software – Any additional software will be provided or is generally available for free.
If you have a disability
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying MU123 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.
Future availability
Discovering mathematics (MU123) starts twice a year – in October and /JanuaryFebruary.
It will next start in January 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in February 2030.