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Course type
Certificate
Credits
60

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.
How long it takes
1 year part-time study
Read more about how long it takes
Study method

Distance learning

Course cost
See Fees and funding
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Entry requirements

Postgraduate Certificate in Online Teaching

Course code: K43

We’re pioneers in the design and delivery of digital teaching, learning and assessment. This certificate is available globally and offers you the unique opportunity to study the theory and practice of online and blended teaching through content created by experts from The Open University's Institute of Educational Technology. You’ll study ways in which new media and cutting-edge educational technologies can be used effectively and equitably across multiple sectors to engage diverse learners and meet their needs.

  • Deepens your understanding of online teaching, learning and assessment, and learning that blends face-to-face and distance education
  • Designed to meet the needs of practitioners using new technologies in their professional context
  • Encourages you to link your studies with your own practice throughout
  • Relevant for non-practitioners with an interest in online learning
Course type
Certificate
Credits
60

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.
How long it takes
1 year part-time study
Read more about how long it takes
Study method

Distance learning

Course cost
See Fees and funding
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Entry requirements

How to register

Select the module you will study first, read the full description, and follow the instructions to register.

Modules

To gain this qualification, you need 60 credits as follows:

60 credits from:

Module Credits Next start
Technology-enhanced learning: foundations and futures (H880)

This module will develop your ability to engage creatively and effectively with the broad field of technology-enhanced learning (TEL), teaching and training.

See full description

Register
 60 07 Feb 2026


You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:

  • Knowledge and understanding
  • Cognitive skills
  • Practical and professional skills
  • Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes.

On completion

On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our Postgraduate Certificate in Online Teaching. You’ll be entitled to use the letters PG Cert (OT) (Open) after your name.

You can progress from this Postgraduate Certificate in Online Teaching to our MA in Online Teaching (F98).

Regulations

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. 

We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 18 March 2025.

You must be prepared to study at postgraduate level. This usually means holding a bachelors degree - whether from a UK university or from one outside the UK - or its equivalent. 

All teaching is in English, and your proficiency in the language needs to be adequate for postgraduate study and for contributing to online discussions by text and voice. If English is not your first language, we strongly recommend that you make sure you can achieve a score of at least seven in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). To assess your English Language skills in relation to your proposed studies, you can visit the IELTS website.

Although experience of distance education may be an advantage, it is not essential.

If you are not sure whether your qualifications and experience are suitable, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice.

How long it takes

Most students study the Postgraduate Certificate in Online Teaching part-time, completing 60 credits over one year. Typically, this means 18 study hours each week.

Career relevance

The Postgraduate Certificate in Online Teaching is closely focused on developing knowledge and skills that can immediately be applied to professional practice. You will explore the implications of learning design and educational technology choices made across a wide range of contexts and organisations, both formal and informal, and for diverse learners. You will advance your skills in selecting and designing with educational technologies and your understanding of how educational technologies can be evaluated.

This qualification is relevant for professionals including teachers, trainers, lecturers, educational technologists, learning designers, librarians, project managers, entrepreneurs and practice educators in nursing and other subjects.

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