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The Open Programme

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An image to illustrate studying an Open degree with The Open University

An Open degree is a BA or BSc degree where you choose the courses and subjects that you study.

As an alternative to a degree in a named subject, such as computing or history, the Open degree lets you create a degree that’s tailored to your own requirements. You have over 300 courses to choose from – plenty of degree-building material – and each course is designed to stretch your mind and fire your imagination. The Open degree is highly regarded by employers as a programme of study that equips individuals with a wide range of expertise, skills and capabilities.

If you’re uncertain right now about which subject appeals the most, the Open degree is perfect: you can mould an Open Degree to suit your own changing needs or circumstances. You can keep an open mind throughout, follow your interests and maybe study courses that are completely different to anything you’ve ever done before. And if you eventually decide to specialise in a particular subject it is usually possible to change to a named degree in your chosen subject.

If, on the other hand, you know precisely what subjects you want to combine then the Open degree also meets your needs. You can steer your studies to focus on or combine personal interests or career needs in more than one subject area. So, if you want to develop both your information technology and your Spanish language skills, or combine humanities with psychology and management, you can.

You can gain a BSc that includes several arts courses or a BA that includes some science courses. And if you have already successfully completed some higher education study you may be able to count that towards your Open degree. This is called Credit Transfer.

From a Foundation Degree to an Open Degree

If you have completed a foundation degree and want to carry on your studies to a BA or BSc honours degree, then an Open degree offers a flexible solution to further study. You can continue your studies by choosing options from a wide range of courses and you can use all or some of the credit from your Foundation degree to count towards your Open degree. Find out more about getting credit for your previous study.

The Open Degree enables you to choose the courses you study but we recommend you study courses from subjects closely linked to your original Foundation degree.  For an Open Degree with honours you will need to study at least 120 points from Level 3 courses, which in real terms means studying two or three courses.

Where to start in The Open Programme

If you're fairly confident about studying, then you could start with one of our many Level 1 courses. The ones listed below are particularly useful and are specifically designed as good introductions: you'll learn how to study at university level, get a thorough grounding in your chosen area of study and, in addition, you'll become a confident distance learner.

If you want to study a particular subject as part of your Open degree, and want to know more about the Level 1 courses associated with that subject, use the subject links on the right of this page, and then look for the ‘Where to start’ recommendations.

For a complete listing of all the Level 1 courses you could start with, use the ‘A-Z of where to start’ link under ‘Browse the prospectus’, at the bottom right-hand corner of this page.

Worried about your ability? Or the time it will take? If you’re resident in the UK, then start with our Openings courses: short courses with lots of support and no exams, giving you a gradual introduction to your subject and the world of studying.  

If you already have a degree, you may want to see Postgraduate options, or consider credit transfer. Don't forget, you can talk to an adviser if you need help considering options.

Degrees in The Open Programme

  • BA/BSc Open degree
    The BA/BSc Open Degree provides a flexible way to combine a range of courses from different subjects either to suit your particular career or personal interests, or to complete studies you have started elsewhere.

Courses in The Open Programme

Any undergraduate OU course can be counted towards the Open Programme, view courses by undergraduate subjects.

Spotlight on The Open Programme

Got some study under your belt?

If you’ve dropped out of full-time education you could still complete your studies with an Open degree, and save time and money by transferring credit from previous study you’ve successfully completed.

Interested in a range of subjects?

Interested in history, politics and science? Or French, statistics and biology? An Open degree would enable you to combine all your passions.

Qualifications for prior learning

Are you in paid or voluntary work and without formal qualifications? Make your experience count (U122) could be just what you’re looking for – the opportunity to gain credit towards higher education qualifications by drawing on your prior learning experiences.

Got a question?

Contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service
Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90

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