- An undergraduate course
in
Business and Management.
Development of financial practice
- On this page
| Course facts | |
|---|---|
| About this course: | |
| Course code | DB124 |
| Credits | 20 |
| OU Level | 1 |
| SCQF level | 7 |
| FHEQ level | 4 |
| Course work includes: | |
| 1 Interactive computer-marked assignment (iCMA) | |
| End-of-module assessment | |
| No residential school | |
If you already have a financial qualification at Level 3 in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) or Level 6 in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF), this ten-week online course will help you to build on that qualification and achieve Higher Education (HE) credits. By combining your professional qualification with academic knowledge gained at The Open University (OU), you can achieve 20 credits in less than half the normal study time. You should have previously studied the two OU courses, You and your money: personal finance in context (DB123) and Introduction to financial services (BD131), before studying this course.
Register for the course
What you will study
Because this course builds on existing professional learning, you’ll study fewer hours than for a standard 20-credit course. You will use a combination of the knowledge and experience you gained while achieving your professional qualification, and the academic skills and knowledge from the two OU courses, You and your money: personal finance in context (DB123) and Introduction to financial services (BD131).
You will be asked to reflect on these two types of learning. You’ll integrate the learning you have done professionally and academically, and reflect on this in the context of working in the financial services industry.
All the study material, activities and assessment are available online. The online material encourages you to reflect on, build on and synthesise the knowledge and understanding you have from your professional qualifications and your HE study. There are also reflective and interactive activities that will help you prepare for the assessment, and some of these may be similar to those you would meet in your professional financial services or business environment.
This course is an optional module in our Foundation Degree in Financial Services or Diploma in Higher Education in Financial Services.
Vocational relevance
This course is directly relevant to you if you have completed a professional qualification within the broad area of financial services at FHEQ Level 3 or equivalent. If you’re unsure if your qualification fits this description, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Entry
This course has two compulsory entry requirements.
- You must have an appropriate professional qualification from the financial services industry, equivalent to Level 3 in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland or Level 6 in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). Check this list to see if you have one of the necessary entrance qualifications. If you haven't gained one of the level 3 professional qualifications listed and will not have gained one before you complete DB124 you will not be able to complete DB124. If you have already registered for this course and cannot meet this requirement we strongly advise you to withdraw before the course start date to be eligible for a full refund of course fees paid. If you withdraw after the course start date you will not be eligible for any refund of fees.
- You must have successfully completed the two OU courses, You and your money: personal finance in context (DB123) and Introduction to financial services (BD131) before studying this course.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Preparatory work
This course draws on your professional qualification, so you might find it useful to refresh your knowledge and understanding of the material that you studied and of your professional experience in the financial services industry more generally.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Module Regulations and the Student Regulations which are available on our Essential documents website.
If you have a disability
As this course is taught online and through resources such as online forums you will need to spend considerable amounts of time using a computer and the internet. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in operating a computer or the internet and have any concerns about accessing the types of materials described you are advised to talk to our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering for the course about the support which can be given to meet your needs. Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material will be available on the course website. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you have particular study requirements please tell us as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Visit our Services for disabled students website for more information, including:
- help to determine your study requirements and how to request the support that you need
- Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs)
- using a computer for OU study
- equipment and other support services that we offer
- examination arrangements
- how to contact us for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Study materials
What's included
The course is taught online via a website. You will follow a study calendar and access a range of materials drawn from various sources. Some will be accessible online in the OU Library and from other external sources.
Computing requirements
You will need a computer with internet access to study this course as it includes online activities, which you can access using a web browser.
- If you have purchased a new desktop or laptop computer since 2007 you should have no problems completing the online activities.
- If you’ve got a netbook, tablet or other mobile computing device check our Technical requirements section.
- If you use an Apple Mac you will need OS X 10.6 or later.
You can also visit the Technical requirements section for further computing information including the details of the support we provide.
Teaching and assessment
Study support
You will be supported in your study by an online FAQ forum, moderated by a tutor.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
The end-of-module assessment is an interactive computer-marked assignment (iCMA).
Once the course has started, you will be required to submit evidence that you have completed the pre-requisites for the course (see Entry). Please note that if you do not have an appropriate qualification as listed above, you will fail the course.
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in August 2013 and February 2014. We expect it to be available twice a year.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button.
Distance learning
The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move. As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor or study adviser will guide and advise you, offer detailed feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online tutorials, or by phone.
For more information read Distance learning explained.
Undergraduate
| Course facts | |
|---|---|
| About this course: | |
| Course code | DB124 |
| Credits | 20 |
| OU Level | 1 |
| SCQF level | 7 |
| FHEQ level | 4 |
| Course work includes: | |
| 1 Interactive computer-marked assignment (iCMA) | |
| End-of-module assessment | |
| No residential school | |
Your questions
Try our frequently asked questions.
Come and meet us at an event near you.
Or contact an adviser by Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90 +44(0) 845 366 60 35
Get a prospectus
Download ororder
Share
This PageThe University wishes to emphasise that, while every effort is made to regularly update this site, the material on it is subject to alteration or amendment in the light of changes in regulations or in policy or of financial or other necessity.