Making your learning count
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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)
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.
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.
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.