The Open University provides exceptional value to employers because of its reputation, flexibility and quality. We work with employers and partners to develop the flexible, high-quality workforce required to be successful in the 21st century. Four out of five FTSE 100 companies have sponsored staff on OU modules and qualifications.
Changes to higher education funding
You may be aware that there are changes happening to how higher education is funded in the UK. The arrangements for the funding of higher education are different across the four Nations of the UK and internationally. This means that, for the first time, the OU has introduced different undergraduate fees across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales, reflecting the varying levels of funding in each Nation. In addition, the OU has announced fee levels for undergraduate students resident outside of the UK and for postgraduate students.
In setting its undergraduate fees, the OU has taken into account changes in government funding and has kept fees as low as possible while sustaining high quality and remaining true to its mission of being open to all.
Sponsoring students
Fees for students are based on where they are resident.
If you are planning to sponsor staff with The Open University who are resident in England and beginning their studies starting after 1 September 2012, then please see Fees and funding in England for information on the fee levels and funding options available.
If you already have employees currently studying with the OU who are resident in England or are resident outside of the UK, the OU is committed to helping them to complete their studies at a price and pace consistent with when they started. More information about the transitional arrangements the OU has put in place is included in Fees and funding for current students in England. We recommend employers consider options carefully with their staff resident in England as student loans may be a preferred choice for funding.
If you have employees resident in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, fees will remain as they are currently, subject to inflation-linked increases which happen each year. For more information on fees and funding in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, see the following pages:
If you have employees who are ordinarily resident outside of the UK, there will be changes to fees for new students starting their studies after 1 September 2012, and fees for most current students will remain at current levels plus inflation. More information can be found on ‘Fees for students resident outside of the UK’.
Funding options
We recognise that providing staff with up-to-date skills via profession-specific training is an essential part of running a modern business.
Funding options for current students will remain as they are currently, as long as students remain eligible for the OU’s transitional arrangements.
Students studying with the OU are able to access the OU’s loan system, OUSBA(Open University Student Budget Account), which enables them to spread the cost of their studies into instalments payable during each module.
As part of changes to funding for higher education in England, new students in England starting their studies after 1 September 2012 will be eligible to apply for the government’s student loans (as long as the qualification they are studying is higher than any previous qualifications they hold).
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.
Further information
We have developed a series of frequently asked questions to provide you with further information.