Open Learning

What is open learning?

This article explains what open learning is and gives more details of providers.

If going to a class at the same time each week does not suit you, open learning could be the answer. It can be either:

Flexible learning

You study in college, with the help of a tutor, but at times to suit you, rather than going to regular classes at set times, or

Distance learning

You study mostly at home, with help from a tutor by phone, e-mail, letter, or occasional meetings and seminars. 

You can also learn through TV programmes and online.

Open Learning is not always easy. You need to be organised and good at managing your time.

Who provides open learning courses?

The Open University

• The Open University is the largest university for part-time higher education in the UK.
• You do not need formal entry requirements for most undergraduate courses.
• You can choose to study a single course or to work towards a certificate, diploma, BA/BSc degree, higher degree or professional qualification.
• There are around 200 courses offered at undergraduate level in a wide range of subject areas. These include business, health and social care, information technology and computing, social sciences, humanities, science and technology.
• You can do an introductory course: the Open University offers eleven short pre-entry level courses, known as Openings.
• There are also short courses in IT, science and arts.
• You study part-time, mainly at home, with full tutor support.
• If you are on benefits or a very low income, you may get help to meet course fees.
• The Open University makes its study materials, from access to post-graduate level, available free to Internet users throughout the world. The materials, covering subjects from business to languages, can be viewed on their new OpenLearn website at http://www.openlearn.open.ac.uk/
• Students with an HNC or HND can progress to OU degree-level study. The OU gives students credit points for their previous HNC/HND qualifications. This process of credit transfer can help you to get a degree in less time than it would normally take.
• You can get further information on the website at http://www3.open.ac.uk/credit-transfer  
• The OU in Scotland has produced a publication Routes to a Degree. This gives you information about an alternative flexible way to gain a degree if you have an HNC or HND.

Further Education colleges

• Many further education colleges run courses by flexible or distance learning.
• Most of them lead to recognised qualifications such as Highers, SQA units or Higher National units.
• If you take a flexible learning course, you attend college, either by arrangement or drop-in at times which suit you.
• If you take a distance learning course, you study mainly at home. However, you usually need to attend college for occasional assessments and for optional tutorials.
• There are usually fees for these courses. If you are on benefit, you may get a fee waiver. Ask the college for details.
• For more details contact your local further education college.

Libraries

You may be able to learn at your local library. Many public libraries now offer open learning courses to their users. These are by flexible or distance learning.

Libraries can provide:

• local access
• flexible opening hours
• an informal and relaxed learning environment
• materials for use in the library or at home, on loan
• equipment such as video players or tape recorders, which you may need to use the open learning materials
• staff to support you 
• most libraries now offer Internet access

For more details, contact your local library.

Private correspondence colleges

There are a number of private correspondence colleges, offering courses in many subjects.

• Some courses lead to a recognised qualification but some do not.
• Some private colleges are registered with the Open and Distance Learning Quality Council (ODLQC) and some are members of the Association of British Correspondence Colleges (ABCC).
• You have to pay fees for these courses. If you are a taxpayer, you may be able to get tax relief on the fees for a course if it leads to a recognised qualification.

Online learning

A number of colleges, universities and organisations offer courses online.

• This allows you to learn at your own pace at a time that suits you.
• You can access text-based materials online and you can get tutor support by e-mail.
• You can contact other students through chat rooms and discussion boards.
• For further information contact individual colleges or universities.
• You can ask your employer if you can access online learning at work.

TV Programmes

BBC and Channel 4 transmit educational programmes. These can be a good way to start studying if you do not want to attend a course right now.

• You watch the programme at home.
• You can buy programme back-up materials such as books and DVDs.
• Other programmes have leaflets or booklets. You can get these by post for a small charge from the BBC or Channel 4.

The BBC’s Learning Zone

• produces a wide range of programmes, including languages, art, music, media, geography, health, business, history, religion, science and technology
• transmits at very late hours, starting at 2am every morning so you may wish to record them to watch later 
• has created theme nights of similar programmes on a single night - this makes it easier to record them.

Channel 4

• You can find details of educational programmes on Channel 4 on: http://www.channel4.com/.
• You can find details of multimedia educational resources including websites and online services listed on www.channel4.com/learning.

BBC Ready to Learn website

The BBC Ready to Learn website has case studies for adults who describe how learning has changed their lives. 

The 'your turn' section of the website has links to information on:

• essential skills
• computer skills
• finding courses
• money matters
• childcare support
• disability support

 You can find more details on the BBC website: www.bbc.co.uk/learning/readytolearn

Useful contacts

The Open University

10 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh EH3 7QJ

Tel: 0131 226 3851

Fax:0131 220 6730

E-mail: scotland @open.ac.uk

Web: www3.open.ac.uk/near-you/scotland

Open College of the Arts

Registration Department

Freepost SF10 678

Barnsley S75 1JN

Tel: 01226 730495 (or Freephone 0800 731 2116)          

Fax: 01226 730 838 Minicom: 01226 205 255

E-mail: open.arts@ukonline.co.uk

Web: http://www.oca-uk.com/

ODLQC,

16 Park Crescent,    

London W1B 1AH     

Tel: 020 7612 7090  

Fax: 020 7612 7092 

E-mail: info@odlqc.org.uk    

Web: http://www.odlqc.org.uk/

ABCC

Po Box 17926

London SW19 3WB

Tel: 020 8544 9559

E-mail: info@homestudy.org.uk

Web: http://www.homestudy.org.uk/

For queries about BBC Learning Zone and all other BBC programmes and resources

Tel: 08700 100 222 

Text phone: 020 8576 8168

or write to:

BBC Information

PO Box 1922

Glasgow G2 3WT 

Web: www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone

For information on open learning you can also phone  

CareersLine:

Freephone 0800 44 22 22

Mon - Thurs 9am - 4.45pm, Fri 9am - 3.55pm