Use college qualifications for OU degrees - credit transfer

People in Scotland who have completed a college qualification within the last 16 years may be able to count their study towards an Open University qualification, reducing the time it takes to complete a degree.

College students/graduates who have completed a Higher National Certificate or Higher National Diploma (HNC / HND), or other qualifications at Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Level 7 or above, can apply to transfer credit to an Open University degree. We award up to 120 credits for a HNC and up to 240 credits for a HND. Credit transferred can count towards honours degrees in specific subject areas, or towards our unique Open honours degree, which allows students build a degree more tailored to their own development needs or the needs of their employer. 

Students coming from college experience high rates of success at the OU. We work with colleges across Scotland to raise awareness of opportunities to progress to Open University study and the benefits of transferring credit.  

I was able to transfer credit from my Higher National Certificate and Higher National Diploma study, allowing me to enter year three of the OU Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Social Science degree. By studying courses in sociology and criminology I was able to complete my degree in one year with first-class honours.

Lisa Sinclair
Fife College and Open University Graduate