These introductory-level courses have been specially designed to help you find out what it’s like to study with the OU, get a taste of a subject area, develop your learning skills, and build your confidence. They are perfect for new learners with little or no knowledge or experience of studying and use the same top-quality teaching materials and study support we’re famous for. They’re also fascinating and fun to do!
Cost
If you are eligible to pay UK course fees, our 10-credit Openings courses cost £120, rising to £130 from September 2011. Our 15-credit Openings courses cost £195.
If you receive state benefits, or if you have an annual household income of less than £16,845 *, you may be able to study for free (terms and conditions apply). Call our Student Registration & Enquiry Service on +44 (0)845 300 60 90 for further information and advice.
Openings courses are only available to students living in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or those who have a British Forces Post Office (BFPO) address outside the UK. If you live in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man you will have to pay a higher fee. See the course description for details.
*Income-based financial support is not available in Scotland.
Timing
We’ve made our Openings courses as flexible as possible:
- Start dates are June, September, November and March each year. Course registrations close up to two weeks before your chosen date but places go quickly so we advise you to book early.
- Each course lasts a maximum of 20 weeks.
- You can fit the course in with your other commitments, as long as you can find approximately six hours a week for study.
- You don’t have to go anywhere – you’ll have your own personal tutor who will provide one-to-one telephone tutorials on a regular basis, and provide written feedback on your course work.
- With our optional online forum you can exchange ideas and get support from other students.
Tuition and assessment
During the 10-credit course you’ll do three short pieces of written work, and if you do a 15-credit course you will do an additional interactive Computer Marked Assignment (iCMA). Your tutor will send you feedback, and discuss the course material with you.
There are no examinations to sit for Openings courses. Instead, you’ll need to write an end-of-module assessment.
Successful completion of the course will earn you 10 or 15 credits at Level 1. You can count up to three Openings courses towards an Open Degree, and these courses can count towards many of our other qualifications.
You will gain a sense of pride and satisfaction after completing your study.
How to register on an Openings course
There are no academic entry requirements for Openings courses. If we have a place on the course you want to study, we’ll accept you. Openings courses are only available to students living in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, or those who have a British Forces Post Office (BFPO) address.
For more information about registering, go to *how to register* or call our Student Registration & Enquiry Service on +44 (0)845 300 60 90.
The most important thing that you will learn from an Openings course is how to study. Being able to write an assignment, present an argument, research facts and so many other aspects of an Openings course, are skills you can take forward into any future learning experience".