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#Distance Learning Courses and Degrees - The Open University

Distance learning courses explained

The Open University’s unique style of delivering its distance learning courses is called 'supported open learning'. This means that you study on your own, either at home or wherever suits you – reading, watching or listening to material supplied, doing activities and assignments with regular support from your tutor.

• Open learning means that you will be learning in your own time by reading study material, working on activities and writing assignments
• Supported means support from a tutor and from other OU staff based at UK centres.

You’ll also get the opportunity to interact with other students whilst undertaking our distance learning courses through the OU’s online conferencing system, tutorials and informal study groups.

When you first start

Our online induction programme will help get you off to a great start before your study begins. You can work through the programme in your own time, helping you to familiarise yourself with distance learning and your chosen subject, and understand how to get the best out of your time studying with the OU.

Supported learning

For every module you study, you’ll have a tutor, who will give you guidance, offer advice, and provide comprehensive feedback on your coursework. They will also be your first point of contact for help with any module-related or study issues. Your tutor can be contacted by email or phone. and will lead group tutorials and seminars. They are often online, available for phone conversations  or accessing their email at evenings and weekends (UK time)  as well as during normal UK working hours.

Other help and advice

We have a huge range of online information and advice, so you needn’t worry if you have an urgent question and the time of day means you cannot call. Most of your questions will already have been asked and answered, and you’ll find them online.

These websites are available to you now:

… and once you’ve applied for your place at the OU you’ll have access to even more online resources, such as:

• computing helpdesk (more below)
• the computing guide
• learner support advisers
• country-specific career information

The computing helpdesk

The OU's Computing Helpdesk. which provides IT support  for Open University students and tutors, is available to answer queries by phone or email at the following opening times (UK GMT times):

Monday to Friday: 9:00 – 21:30

Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 – 17:00

Bank holidays: 10:00 – 16:00

The Computing Helpdesk can provide one-to-one advice for issues such as:

• installing and running module software
• support and assistance with other OU IT services and applications
• usernames or passwords
• access to module websites and other online facilities.

The study experience

What are the study materials like?

You will be taught through a range of printed study materials and online resources that may include audio CDs and video DVDs, which you will work through on a week-by-week basis.

The study materials we provide are of the highest quality, and they may include:

• specially written textbooks or workbooks
• online teaching materials
• audio CDs, DVDs and computer software

Depending on your module, you may receive study materials by post. The materials we provide are yours to keep and to refer to whenever you wish.

You will also get access to a module website where additional resources will be available. Sometimes there will be books you have to buy yourself or borrow from a local library. You will also have access to a range of resources from the OU Library.

You will get a study timetable that will help you plan your reading, activities and assignments, and you will get information about how and when your tutorials will take place and for most modules when your examination will occur.

You will get the most benefit if you study actively, so it is good practice to treat printed study materials as workbooks: write notes on them, highlight sections, underline key points, make notes on the pages, add comments, or stick bits in.

Will I need a computer?

You will need regular and reliable access to the Internet and a computer so that you can take full advantage of our online services. This includes online forums and our vast library, and you will also get access to support from your tutor and fellow students.

All our modules have a website that will help you plan and organise your study and allow you to get involved with the University's learning community – the largest in the world!

For most modules you will be expected to spend at least a couple of sessions a week working on a computer-based activities and some of this work may be assessed. We'll also ask you to provide an email address so that we can send you important information relevant to your studies. If you don't have an email account of your own we can provide one for you.

Assessment and exams

You'll be asked to complete pieces of work that will contribute towards the completion of your module. Your study timetable will include the dates by which you need to submit assignments or sit examinations.

An assignment is a piece of written work, covering material from your module. Completing assignments helps you to consolidate and use what you have learned. Most assignments go to your tutor for comments ('tutor-marked assignments' or TMAs). Some may be marked by computer ('computer-marked assignments' or CMAs). Assignments can be submitted via an online submission system.

Some modules include other types of written assessments, such as project work or dissertations.

Many OU modules end with an examination on a scheduled date. Examination periods are published up to a year in advance and you will be given the specific details of your examination as part of your study materials.

Depending on your country of residence, you may need to apply to sit your examination at a location (typically at another University or at a British Council) in your own country and this will be arranged individually.  There is an addiitonal examination fee for us to arrange this. See the Assessments and Exams  section for further details.

MBA distance learning: A model of academic excellence 

All our modules including the MBA distance learning ones are developed by multi-disciplinary course teams comprising renowned academics, educational technologists and media specialists, plus external assessors who ensure academic standards are equivalent to other universities.

The University's reputation for academic rigour and quality is founded on this model – which has been adopted by distance teaching institutions across the world.

Your learning tools

Depending on your module you may receive some of your learning materials by post when your course starts. These materials are yours to keep, with the exception of any equipment that is loaned.

You’ll be able to access the course website, packed with useful additional resources. We’ll also send you a study timetable, which will help you plan your reading, activities and assignments. We will also tell you about your tutorials and the date of any exams via your online portal, StudentHome.

Got a question about distance learning with the OU? Please check our FAQs .