The Open University in Ireland

Recession Northern Ireland

The Open University aims to become the largest higher skills workforce development partner in the UK.

A recent UK higher education survey found that OU graduates are among the most employable with over 80% of undergraduates and 90% postgraduates gaining jobs within 6 months of graduating.

In the current economic climate you may be looking at ways to develop your knowledge and skills in new areas or top up existing qualifications to pursue a new career path. The Open University can help you with this.

Contact Us for advice and guidance

We have a dedicated team of people who can talk to you about:

• courses available
• credit transfer
• your career
• your prospects

Call our Belfast Office on ++44 (0) 28 9032 3722
email: ireland@open.ac.uk
www.open.ac.uk/study

OU Skills Based Programmes

The Open University offers over a hundred

Work Skills Programmes and Awards

Openings

If you are apprehensive about starting a new course or returning to study, why not consider one of our Openings Courses? These part-time, short introductory courses cover a range of employment skills and sectors. They are designed to prepare you for undergraduate level study and include relevant study skills.

The next presentation of Openings Courses commences in June 2009 and each course costs just £110.00 which can be paid by instalment.

Foundation Degrees

In October 2009 The Open University is presenting 3 work-based foundation degrees in Northern Ireland which have been welcomed by DEL, InvestNI, Foundation Degree Forward (FDF) and sector skills councils as being of particular relevance to the NI regional economy and skills strategy. These are:

• Foundation Degree in Leadership and Management (OU code G08)
• Foundation Degree in Computing and its Practice (OU code G06)
• Foundation Degree in Financial Services (OU code G16)

Fee Payments

We can offer you fee payments by monthly instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA). This enables you to spread the cost of your studies.

If you would like to talk to someone about our payment methods, call ++44 (0) 28 9032 3722 or email ireland@open.ac.uk.

Financial Support

We can also help you with course payment, for example if you have a household income of up to £30,000 – (or more if you have dependants*) - you can apply to the OU for financial support to offset the cost of your studies as follows:

• *Allowances are given for a partner and dependent children. These are £2,000 for a partner, £2,000 for your first child and £1,000 for each further child.
• For example, if you have a partner and two children who are financially dependent on you, you could have a household income of up to £35,000 and be entitled to receive financial support from the Open University.
• As well as financial support towards fees of up to £805 for OU 30 to 60 credit point courses; £1210 for OU 90 point courses you could also qualify for an additional course grant of up to £260 to help you offset the cost of items such as books, stationery, internet access, travel to tutorials etc.
• If you receive a course grant the OU can then offer you a further £245 towards the purchase of a computer.

Additional Support

If you have a disability, mental health condition or a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia you can apply through the OU for a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) which is not means tested. A DSA can include

• a specialist equipment allowance of up to £5,030
• a yearly non-medical helper’s allowance of up to £10,000
• a yearly general allowance of up to £840 per year to cover the cost of general items such as printer cartridges, photocopying, computer discs and CDs
• extra travel costs which you may incur attending study activity

The OU offers support through the Access Technology Loan Scheme (ATLS) to students with disability and additional requirements who are not eligible for DSA.

The OU offers further support through its Access to Learning Fund which is intended to help students who need extra financial support because their course-related costs are higher than expected or they face serious financial problems during their course.
The fund can be used for course-related costs such as childcare, books and equipment, internet access or travel.

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