Study with The Open University

Access

Arts and languages Access module

With this Access module you'll explore the broad, but related, areas of arts, humanities and language. Each subject is introduced and explained at a comfortable pace to develop, or refresh, your knowledge of topics including history, art history, English literature and English language studies.

You could be eligible to study an Access module for free, find out more on the OU website.

Access

Psychology, social science and wellbeing Access module

This Access module gives you the chance to dip into some of our most popular subjects, such as psychology, childhood and youth, early years, health and social wellbeing, sport, education, and social sciences. You'll be introduced to discussions of theory and engage with real-world events to build up your knowledge and understanding of these wide-ranging topics.

You could be eligible to study an Access module for free, find out more on the OU website.

Access

Science, technology and maths Access module

With a mix of theoretical study and some practical experiments, this Access module can help you build up skills for future study in STEM subjects, no matter where you're starting from. Each subject is introduced and explained at a comfortable pace to develop, or refresh, your knowledge of topics including science, engineering and design, environment, mathematics, and computing and IT.

You could be eligible to study an Access module for free, find out more on the OU website.

Degree

Open degree

The Open degree allows you to bring together different areas of study in a completely flexible way to develop knowledge and skills. You have the freedom to combine modules from a wide range of subject areas and create a bespoke degree, diploma or certificate that fits your professional ambitions or personal interests.

Degree

Degree in Health and Social Care

This degree provides you with a sound and critical understanding of health and social care policy, theory, and practice, which is essential in today's fast-changing care sector. Professionals at all levels need to be proactive and flexible to succeed, and through your studies you’ll gain the skills needed for effective practice in a diverse, multidisciplinary environment. 

Module

Making your learning count

Through a series of topics and assessment tasks, you will explore what you have learnt whilst developing the skills you need to be a successful student. The courses that you choose to study is up to you, making this learning experience an entirely personal one. 

Module

Career development and employability

Whatever your chosen career, this key introductory OU level 1 module will enable you to use your workplace as a context for learning, and develop your ability to apply your learning to improve your practice at work. You will also develop your critical thinking skills and increase your understanding of how to research workplace issues.

Module

An introduction to business and management

This key introductory OU level 1 module provides an accessible and comprehensive introduction to business and management in a globalised world. Through readings and international case studies, you’ll explore a wide range of topics in contemporary business and management.

Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE)

Business Management

This flexible qualification starts with you: where you are now, and where you want to be in the future. Taking a practical approach that’s grounded in your own experience, you’ll be introduced to the essentials of business and management, the context in which businesses and other organisations operate, and its common aims and characteristics. 

Module

Young children's play and creativity

This module focuses on understanding play and creativity in early childhood from different and diverse personal and professional perspectives. It considers how other children and adults impact on the play decisions and creative choices children make. 

Module

Environment: journeys through a changing world

This module introduces you to subjects from the natural sciences, social sciences and technology to develop your understanding of environmental issues and sustainability concerns. Our world is changing fast – we are experiencing pressure from climate change, growing demands for finite resources, impacts of pollution and waste, biodiversity loss and the extinction of many plants and animals.

Degree

BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science

This degree explores the multiple disciplines needed to understand, manage and protect our planet. Assess environmental problems, propose solutions, and gain a comprehensive understanding of the natural environment. You’ll study topics, including conservation, ecology, ecosystems, environmental management and renewable energy. 

Short course

Leadership in the digital world

In this course, we will explore selected aspects of leadership, including whether or not leadership has fundamentally changed in the digital era. We will suggest some specific ways of leading teams that help you focus ‘on doing the right things’. You will be encouraged to take an objective look at your own leadership effectiveness, and to build on all that you learn to define a development plan.

This is a non-credit bearing course.

Short course

Managing uncertainty through policy implementation

Microcredential

Climate Change: Transforming your Organisation for Sustainability

This microcredential will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and courage to transform your organisation’s response to the climate and ecological crisis, whatever your level, role or sector, and wherever you are in the world.

Microcredential

Business Management: Project Management

This microcredential will introduce you to the core principles, tools, and techniques needed to lead, or successfully contribute to, projects that add value and deliver positive outcomes.

Short course

Communication skills in the digital world

This course will take you through a range of the changes in the field of communication in our ever-evolving digital world. The course details a variety of communication tools and practical advice from both professionals and academics to help individuals in society and at work understand how to help shape communications strategically.

This is a non-credit bearing course.

Module

Introduction to social care

Gain a solid introduction to social care and the role it plays in supporting the independence and wellbeing of those who receive care. Discover the essential skills needed to work in the sector and examine whether a career in social care is right for you. 

This is a non-credit bearing course. Certificate of completion (70% pass).

Microcredential

Business Management: People Management and Leadership

Designed by world-class academics from The Open University, with input from industry experts with diverse perspectives, this microcredential will introduce you to frameworks and ideas that will help you become an ethical and inclusive people manager and leader. 

Short course

Introduction to digital marketing

Whether you’re new to digital marketing or want to build on existing experience, this course will introduce you to the core principles and latest trends that will help you plan first-class, user-centric campaigns and guide you through the dynamic digital marketing landscape.

This is a non-credit bearing course. Certificate of completion (70% pass).

Microcredential

Cisco: Python Programming (OpenEDG)

This microcredential will help kick start your career in programming, whether you’re just starting out or already working as a digital technology professional. You’ll gain industry-recognised skills and enhance your employment and career progression opportunities.

Short course

Foundations of UK immigration law (OISC Level 1)

The course explores the skills and knowledge expected of an Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) Level 1 Immigration Adviser. It is suitable for those seeking to work as an OISC Level 1 Adviser and those seeking to expand their knowledge of the UK’s immigration system.

This is a non-credit bearing course.

Short course

Online counselling: getting started

Whether you’re a counsellor, psychotherapist, or trainee, this 25-hour short course will show you how to set up and provide safe and effective online counselling. It’ll teach you how to establish remote counselling via video and/or phone and how to navigate technology, data protection, and contracting challenges, as well as explore ethical practices, assess client suitability for online therapy, manage boundaries, work safely and foster inclusivity and diversity.

This is a non-credit bearing course.

OpenLearn free course

Being an OU student

The aim of this course is to help you get off to the best possible start on your journey with The Open University (OU). Students who invest a bit of time preparing for their studies are more likely to succeed, so taking time to do this course now will help in the long run.

OpenLearn free course

Everyday maths 1 (Wales)

Have you ever noticed how often you need maths skills in everyday life? This free course is an introduction to Level 1 Essential Skills in maths that’s designed to inspire you to improve your current maths skills and help you to remember any areas that you may have forgotten.

OpenLearn free course

Everyday English 1

Would you like to improve your current English skills or perhaps remember areas you may have forgotten? This free course serves as good preparation for studying the formal English Essential Skills Level 1, which is available in Wales.

OpenLearn free course

Croeso: Beginners' Welsh

This free course, Croeso: Beginners' Welsh, is taken from Croeso, a beginners' language module that concentrates on Welsh as a tool for communication, but it also provides some insights into Welsh societies and cultures through printed and audio materials. 

OpenLearn free course

Hybrid working: wellbeing and inclusion

This course will explore what workplace wellbeing means in a hybrid working world – whose responsibility it is, the challenges involved in creating and maintaining it, and the benefits it brings to your organisation.

OpenLearn free course

So, you want to be a nurse? A brief introduction to nursing

This course provides an overview of what nursing entails. Focusing on nursing in the UK specifically, but also looking at its place globally, you will learn about the four fields of nursing in the UK, what nurse training involves, as well as what makes a great nurse.

OpenLearn free course

Leadership and followership

Leaders are all around us – we encounter them at work and in our spare time, we read about them in the press – but have you ever wondered what makes them good or bad at their role? You might be considering a leadership role as your next career step, or maybe you’re in a leadership position already and finding it difficult to move your team forward.

OpenLearn free course

Diversity and inclusion in the workplace

This free course introduces you to the benefits and complexities of developing and supporting a diverse and inclusive workforce. It explores the positive impact of diversity on staff wellbeing and innovation within an organisation, enhancing a company’s competitive advantage and aligning with its social responsibilities

OpenLearn free course

Succeed in the workplace

Do you want to change jobs? Are you just starting in the job market? Are you returning to work after a break? If so, then this free course, Succeed in the workplace, is for you. It will help you explore career opportunities by starting from you, not the job - getting to know yourself and what you value are the foundations of your career planning

OpenLearn free course

Digital skills: succeeding in a digital world

This free course will develop your confidence and skills for life online, whether study, work or everyday life. It explores a range of digital skills and practices, including digital identity, digital well-being, staying safe and legal, finding and using information and online tools, and dealing with information overload.

OpenLearn free course

Introduction to cyber security: stay safe online

This free online course will help you to understand online security and start to protect your digital life, whether at home or work. You will learn how to recognise the threats that could harm you online and the steps you can take to reduce the chances that they will happen to you.