Open University
The Open University
Around 4,000 service personnel and their dependents take advantage of the distance learning courses offered by The Open University (OU) each year. They are able to choose from over 600 OU and OU Business School courses. Degrees are modular which allows you to choose courses which suit your particular personal or professional needs. You can build these into your degree over an unlimited period of time.
Cost
• You only pay UK prices wherever your duties take you.
• The OU is ELC approved (Provider no. 1260) so you are eligible for support for your OU costs regardless of what you study.
Flexibility
• The flexibility of OU materials means that you can work your studies around shifts and postings, even when on active duty.
• The OU accepts registrations on all courses from all UK or BFPO addresses. A limited number are available worldwide even if students in the services don’t have a BFPO number. A special scheme exists to support OU students in the forces based in Cyprus.
Support
• As well as providing materials and web sites, the OU appoints a personal tutor to guide you through, and give you feedback on your studies.
• The OU has Regional Centres around the UK which offer help choosing your courses, give you general guidance about your studies and explain how you can see examples of OU course materials.
Quality
• The OU is Britain's largest university. It is ranked amongst the top UK universities for the quality of its teaching.
• An OU qualification is not only a mark of academic success, but also of commitment, ambition and self discipline. These qualities are highly valued by employers.
Recognition of courses and programmes
• Most OU courses carry a points value which can be used to build towards a degree or other academic qualification.
• Qualifications or points awarded by the OU are recognised by academic institutions throughout the UK, the European Union and the rest of the world. They are also recognised by a wide range of professional bodies, and can help towards entry or meeting academic requirements for membership.
Courses
The OU offers courses in a wide range of subjects. You can either work towards an Open degree, for which you can “mix and match” a variety of courses, or a degree in a named subject for which study is much more subject focused. Irrespective of whether you have never studied before, are returning to study, or already have a degree, the OU has courses at different levels. Some routes to a full degree offer certificates or diplomas as you progress.
"Openings" are beginners level courses. Difficulty increases through levels 1 to 3 (first degree) to postgraduate levels.
Openings courses are offered with four start dates through the year. Most level 1 courses have two start dates, May and October, most other courses start in February (although there are exceptions).
A number of courses include a residential Summer School which you may be required to attend. During the first week of Summer School attendance you are considered to be on duty, but you are normally required to give up annual leave for subsequent weeks if they apply in your case. If you are serving overseas the arrangements for Summer School are different depending on the location.
For professional development, there are a range of CPD and postgraduate qualifications.
Full details of OU courses can be found in the online prospectus or copies of the OU prospectus are normally held in your Learning Centre. Alternatively you can contact the University Liaison Officer on 95471 5453.
Getting Started
The BA/BSc Degree has no entry qualifications or selection process and you are simply advised to start with one of the Level One courses which have been designed to provide the extra support that new students need to establish successful patterns of study. Details of how to reserve a place on a course are given in the OU brochure. Once you have received notification of acceptance you should formally register with your Learning Centre on a Form 1950, this is essential for you to be able to claim refunds of tuition fees and travel costs and to obtain sponsorship for Summer School.
Open University Credit Transfer
Some RAF courses have been credit rated by the OU and may be counted towards some degrees. Full details of credit transfer can be found by visiting the OU website through the link below, or telephone: 01908 652245.
For up to date information on OU accredited RAF courses, please see the following link - OU Credit Rating
Links to OU Websites
Open University's main website
Information on the Open University's distance learning support