Flexible Study Intensity in Arts and Humanities: Classical Studies and History

The Open University provides opportunities for flexible study, with the majority of our students opting for part time engagement (studying only one module in each academic year and completing a degree in 5-6 years). However, a growing number of our cohort are choosing a higher study intensity, thereby completing their degree in a shorter timeframe. This project is investigating flexible study intensity among students in the Open University’s School of Arts and Humanities, with specific focus on our cohort in two disciplines - History and Classical Studies. We will consider both the challenges and benefits of higher study intensity, for those students who are aiming to complete their undergraduate degrees more quickly than is typical in this institution.   

Our project will be underpinned by quantitative data that will provide a comparative overview of our flexible study intensity demography and success rates. This statistical information will be overlaid by qualitative research, featuring the voices of the students themselves - their reasons for opting to study at a higher intensity, and their experiences of this approach. Additionally, we are gathering the views of tutors, to see whether tutoring students with a higher workload impacts on the types (and amount) of support they provide. Also, we will be discussing flexible study intensity with our Student Support team, who deliver advice and pastoral care.  

At the conclusion of this project, we hope to better understand the role of higher intensity study in Arts and Humanities within the OU, and to use these insights to provide recommendations to our Module Teams and tutors – and to any other interested academics – that will help to ensure best practice in supporting flexible study of undergraduate degrees in our school.