Fees for most current undergraduate students in England won’t change
You may be aware that there are changes happening to how higher education is funded in the UK. These changes mean that The Open University has to increase its fees for new students starting after 1 September 2012. If you are a current OU student in England, The Open University is committed to helping you to complete your studies at a price and pace consistent with your expectations when you started. This means that, for most current students in England, things won’t change. Fees will stay the same subject to the normal, inflation-linked increases which happen each year.
This page outlines the transitional arrangements we have put in place for current students in England, as well as outlining the current payment options that are available.
The video below explains more:
Read transcript - How will the university funding changes affect current Open University students.
What this means for current students in England
We’re putting in place transitional arrangements that mean that if you’re a current student with us your fees will not be affected by the government changes so long as you are studying towards an undergraduate OU qualification, for example:
- A Certificate
- Diploma
- or a Degree
To be eligible, and remain eligible, for these transitional arrangements you must also meet the following important date criteria:
- you will start a module that counts towards your qualification between 1 September 2012 and 31 August 2013
AND
- you have completed a module which is linked to your qualification and began between 1 September 2010 and 31 August 2011 OR you’re studying a module linked to your qualification that starts between 1 September 2011 and 31 August 2012
If you meet these criteria your fees will follow the existing pricing structure and you’ll have access to the same financial support options, so long as you continue to study each year until you achieve your qualification.
Transitional arrangements will not apply to any modules that start on or after 1 September 2017. If you wish to complete your study under transitional funding arrangements you will need to have finished your qualification by then.
Paying for your OU study in England
If you’re eligible for the transitional arrangements you will still have the same choices of how to pay your fees as you currently do.
You can continue to either pay your fees upfront or by monthly instalments through our Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).
Some students may be eligible for financial support to help fund their studies. More information, including our financial support eligibility calculator, can be found on our Financial Support page.
In addition, many of the OU’s current students find they are able to obtain sponsorship from their employers for some or all of their fees.
Options for current students in England who are not eligible for transitional arrangements
If you don’t meet the criteria above, and you’re studying for your first undergraduate qualification, you may be eligible the government's student loans.
For more information on the government’s student loans, click through to our page for those considering OU study.
Please note, government-backed student loans will not be available to those studying for an undergraduate qualification that is at the same level, or lower, than one they already hold. Students will, however, continue to have access to the OU’s flexible payment options through OUSBA.
Students in the rest of the UK
Information for students ordinarily resident in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales is available on the following pages:
Postgraduate fees
Postgraduate fees are unaffected by the changes in funding for undergraduate study. Fee levels for taught postgraduate study will be broadly at current levels plus inflation. Specific fees for 2012/13 will be available in the OU’s online prospectus in early 2012.
Postgraduate students will not be eligible for the government’s student loans, but will have the option to manage finances with the help of the Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).