Flexible, part-time
pathways to a degree
The OU mission
• ‘We promote educational opportunity and social justice by providing
high-quality university education to all who wish to realise their
ambitions and fulfil their potential.’
• ‘The Open University is a world leader in modern distance
learning, the pioneer of teaching and learning methods which
enable people to achieve their career and life goals studying
at times and in places to suit them’.
(About the OU > The OU explained)
• 40% of undergraduates have less than 2 A levels;
16% from most socio-economically disadvantaged
postcodes and have no previous HE; 30% currently
receive financial support.
The changing context for HE funding
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Huge challenges ahead…however,
We have persuaded the Government:
- to establish parity of funding for part-time HE
- to reduce the eligibility level for the student finance
package from 40 credit points to 30
• - that applying the UCAS tariff will disadvantage openness
• However…. Up to 80% of teaching funding will go
• There will be no grants to cover fees
Post-Browne and post-Comprehensive
Spending Review
• Higher Tuition Fees that have to be paid to institutions upfront
• Loans to pay back once they have graduated and are in jobs
earning over £21,000 per year
• Loans will no longer be interest free
• ‘Is it worth it?’
• Is there an alternative?
Study which fits around work, family and a
social life
Rebecca Rumbul
(aged 21)
BA (Hons)
Humanities
I did my BA at the OU.
Working full-time as a
financial administrator at the
Arts Council of Wales, I set
aside time to do my studying
on Sundays. I found the
studying really manageable
and straightforward. Paying
off my fees wasn’t a problem
either. It’s so much easier
this way – I’ve got a degree
now as well as five years
work experience, which is
pretty good for a 21 year old.
A few things about the OU
• We’re more interested in the students’ motivation not their previous
qualifications - so entry is through guidance
• Our flexible approach gives students the chance to start their
careers or manage their family or other commitments
• We’re the UK’s biggest university with 210,000 students
• 32,000 students are under the age of 24 years
• We offer over 300 academic and professional qualifications
We currently offer a debt-free way to get a
top degree
• Students could study for free if they earn under £16,845
• Funding is based on the students’ household income – not their
parents income
• Partial funding is available even if students are earning up to
£30,000
• We offer flexible payment options to help spread the costs
• Even without funding our course fees are lower, for example a
Psychology degree only costs £4980
A world-leading approach to study and
support
• Supported ‘Open Learning’ delivers teaching and materials direct to
the student
• Impartial advice provides pre-entry guidance
• Personal tutors are allocated to each course and are available by
phone and online
• Fellow students, tutorials, blogs and Facebook groups provide a
supportive community for learning and fun
• Our award winning careers website and Advisory Service means
support continues even after graduation
Our qualifications explained
• Over 300 academic and professional qualifications are available
• This includes Certificates, Diplomas, Foundation degrees,
Undergraduate and Postgraduate degrees, spread over 14 main
subject areas
• We offer focused pathways leading to named degrees and
professional qualifications
• Popular Open Degrees offer a mix and match approach
• Study routes can alter to suit changing interests. You can study parttime or full-time and take breaks between courses
Help for people with disabilities or
additional requirements
• We offer a much more accessible and flexible system than
traditional forms of study
• 10,000 of our current students have a disability or additional
requirements
• We can provide additional support and adapt our services to meet
students’ needs
• Financial support is available through a Disabled Students
Allowance
• We also provide information and support for those with a caring
responsibility
What our graduates say
I took a Law degree with the
OU because I didn’t want to
get into loads of debt. At one
point, I was working full-time
and doing full-time study. The
local law firm, where I applied
to train as a solicitor
afterwards, was very
impressed that I’d been
disciplined enough to do an
OU degree. You can work at
your own pace and fit it into
your life – but you do have to
be organised. It worked for
me!
Emma Bettles
(aged 23)
LLB (Hons)
We’re Britain’s favourite university
• 94% of our students are satisfied with the overall quality of our
courses, this is higher than any other UK university
• We are one of the top three universities for student satisfaction in
the 2010 National Student Survey.
• Right now 210,000 students are studying with us
• 32,000 students are under 24 years
Now you know . . . but if you want to
know more . . .
• You can visit our Study at the OU website
www.open.ac.uk
• Younger Students website at:
http://www8.open.ac.uk/choose/18to24/
• Find out more about financial support with our eligibility checker at:
http://css2.open.ac.uk/fafcalculator/eligibility.aspx
• Let me have your details if you want to join our Advisers Mailing list
and receive relevant updates