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Clearing, course choice, and studying online – your key questions, answered.

Yes, you can apply to The Open University at any time, even if you're already in Clearing.
You apply directly on our website, with no UCAS form and no Clearing process. Choose your course and register online.
No. The OU sits outside the UCAS system, so you apply to us directly. You won’t need a UCAS application, a Clearing number, or to wait for results day.
Most of our undergraduate courses don't have specific entry requirements. We focus on your potential and motivation, not just your previous academic performance.
A wide range of subjects, from business and law to psychology, computing and the sciences. You can study for a full honours degree or a shorter qualification, such as a certificate or diploma.
You can register with the OU now to start in October 2026 or February 2027. Some of our courses also offer the option to start in April 2027.
Often, yes. If you’ve already completed part of a degree elsewhere, you may be able to transfer that credit towards an OU qualification, so you don’t have to start from scratch. How much you can transfer depends on what you studied.
Our award-winning distance learning combines online materials, interactive tutorials, and assignment feedback. You'll have dedicated tutors and access to a vibrant student community.
Yes, and it’s one of the main reasons people choose the OU. You study online around your existing commitments, at a pace that suits you, which is why so many of our students work alongside their degree.
You study at a pace that fits your life. An honours degree takes around six years at a part-time pace, or three if you study more intensively, and you can vary your pace from year to year.
Yes – our flexible approach means you can adjust your study pace or even change courses more easily than at campus universities.
Yes. Over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a government-backed Tuition Fee Loan, so they pay nothing upfront. You could also pay in instalments or have an employer sponsor you.
An OU qualification usually costs less than an equivalent qualification at a campus university, and you pay for one module at a time rather than a year upfront. See our fees and funding page for a full breakdown and the ways you can pay.
Yes, our degrees are just as rigorous and respected as those from campus universities. We're rated Gold for Teaching Excellence, ranked University of the Year 2025, and our graduates are highly valued by employers.
We're here to help. Contact us for advice on choosing a course or completing your application – and don't miss the deadline. Apply by 10 September 2026 for courses starting this October.
I was amazed to discover that there were no entry requirements other than a desire to study. This open-entry policy was crucial to me, as without it, I would have found it difficult to progress in my education.

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