Come along for an informal discussion about courses, learning methods, financial assistance and other general study topics. Tutors with experience are happy to answer your questions and guide you through our prospectus. Whatever your background or study interest, there's almost certainly a suitable starting point for you!
For information, venues and times visit www.open.ac.uk/events
See our current prospectuses at over 200 local centres and libraries in the South. Look out for our posters. Ask at your local library.
Look through our course materials to assist in making study plans.
You can see materials at The Open University Library in The Open University Library in Milton Keynes and in the Regional Centre library at The Open University in the South, Oxford.
You are welcome to visit our library at The Open University in the South between the hours of 9.00 and 4.30 (Monday – Friday) to look at reference copies of course materials. If you would like to discuss your study plans with a member of staff you will need to telephone 01865 327000 a few days beforehand to make an appointment. Also if you are hoping to look through the materials of a particular course we would recommend that you ring and check that it is available so that you don’t make an un-necessary journey.
If you are not able to visit either of the libraries and would like to find out more about a course quickly there are taster materials for some of the Open University courses on the OpenLearn website.
If you are an OU student, we may be able to provide a home loan service. Contact Learner Support Services at south@open.ac.uk or on 01865 736032.
At the Open University in the South we offer information, advice and guidance (IAG) to assist adults in exploring educational opportunities. We work to the national matrix quality standard in the provision of IAG services.
Many enquirers want to find out more about Open University courses and qualifications. Where enquirers need to explore alternative opportunities, our educational advisers refer them to other local 'next step' IAG services.
These local 'nextstep' services offer information, advice and guidance on both education and career opportunities to adults (20 years or over)
'Nextstep' IAG services in other areas can be found on: www.nextstep.org.uk
Open University staff and students meet for course tutorials. We have centres in Abingdon, Amersham, Andover, Aylesbury, Banbury, Basingstoke, Bournemouth, Bracknell, Fareham, Farnborough, Guernsey, Havant, High Wycombe, Isle of Wight, Jersey, Maidenhead, Milton Keynes, Newbury, Oxford, Poole, Portsmouth, Reading, Salisbury, Slough, Southampton, Weymouth, Witney.
Where appropriate, venues other than colleges and universities are used. Tutorials are held at selected locations depending on level of student demand.
In the South, we collaborate through steering groups with representatives from universities and colleges, schools and other agencies (e.g. careers offices) to:
We are involved in Aimhigher projects in:
Aimhigher (MKOB) Director and project team are now located at The Open University in the South Regional Centre, Foxcombe Hall, Boars Hill, Oxford. Aimhigher is an independent organisation though close co-operation is possible through regular exchanges and informal meetings. The Open University provides a unique opportunity for some under-represented groups to engage in higher education through its 'supported distance learning' approach where students can stay at home to study.
Aimhigher is a national project funded indirectly by government through higher and further education. Its aim is to increase University participation in England, particularly among groups not well represented currently. Each region of England receives funds which have been allocated on a sub-regional (mainly county) basis.
If you are interested in any aspect of Aimhigher we can put you in touch with the relevant project team.
The Open University is a member of Higher Education South East (HESE) created in 1999 to promote higher education institutions in the region. It is one of 25 higher education institutions in the South East delivering expertise and 'know-how' in an increasingly knowledge based regional economy.
Higher education institutions in the region are both direct wealth creators and catalysts for further prosperity. Collective turnover is around £1.33bn per annum, amounting to 1.25% of the region's GDP.
Within the region, a growing proportion of part-time funded students (currently 44%) are studying with The Open University
HESE aims to help universities and HE colleges realise their potential regional contribution to the economy and society. www.hese.ac.uk.
