Open University Online Degrees (Fees & Program List)

The Open University (OU) is a UK university offering flexible undergraduate degrees studied mainly online. Its courses cover subjects from computing and business to science and social sciences. Many qualifications have open entry, but conditions vary. There is no single degree price: fees depend on your course, study load, fee status and location. Check the current course and fee pages before you apply.

What if the lowest fee you see is not the amount you will pay to finish? For OU students, the total can depend on how many credits they take, whether they receive credit for prior study and which fee rules apply to them.

I assess degree value by looking beyond a headline module price. For the Open University, that means checking the full credit plan, current fees, study pace and any professional recognition needed for your career. The guide below is for undergraduate study at The Open University in the United Kingdom, not similarly named institutions elsewhere.

Open University online degrees: program options, entry and fees

The Open University offers undergraduate qualifications across many subject areas, with options and award titles that can vary by intake. Most study is online, but course activities and requirements differ. The university is a UK degree-awarding institution regulated in England by the Office for Students; check course-specific conditions before choosing.

These are broad areas, not a promise that every subject or named degree is open for every intake. Search the OU qualification directory by subject, then open the current page for each degree on your shortlist. That page is the place to confirm the exact award, start dates, entry rules, module choices and fees.

Entry requirements

Many OU undergraduate qualifications have open entry. In plain terms, this often means you do not need a set GPA or a standardized test score to begin. It does not mean that every course has identical rules: a qualification or module may require prior study, subject knowledge, work experience or another condition.

If you have previous college or university study, ask the OU to assess it for credit before you rely on it to shorten your degree. Credit transfer is a formal decision, not an assumption. If your career goal is outside the UK, also check whether the employer or credential evaluator accepts the qualification.

How OU fees work

There is no universal price for an OU bachelor’s degree. Your tuition depends on the qualification, the number and cost of modules or credits, the academic year, and your fee status and location within the UK. Overseas fees may differ. Check the current fee schedule for your exact course and intended start date.

Also allow for costs that may not sit in the tuition headline. Depending on the course and your circumstances, you may need to budget for study materials, resits, travel or residential attendance. Do not assume each applies; verify them on the qualification and module pages.

The table shows how to compare costs without relying on an outdated figure.

For a useful estimate, list every required module, apply the current fee for the relevant academic year, and add confirmed extra costs. If fees can change during your planned course, treat the result as an estimate, not a guaranteed total. Check funding rules separately with the relevant official body and confirm whether your circumstances qualify.

Degree curriculum, credit requirements and module selection

A UK honours bachelor’s degree typically requires 360 UK credits, often described as 120 credits for each full-time-equivalent year. OU students can usually spread study over a longer period, but the exact qualification structure, module order and total credits must be checked on its course page.

A credit is a unit used to describe the amount of study. The 360-credit figure is a typical UK honours-degree structure, not a guarantee that every OU qualification has the same requirements. Some degrees include required modules, while others may allow choices within set rules.

Before enrolling, map the full route:

• Confirm the degree’s total credit requirement and required modules.
• Check which modules run in your intended study period.
• Note prerequisites and any limits on the order of study.
• Choose a realistic annual credit load alongside work, care and other commitments.
• Ask about credit transfer and wait for the formal result before revising your plan.
• Keep a record of completed credits and progression requirements.

For example, a student aiming for 120 credits per year is planning at a full-time-equivalent pace. A learner taking 60 credits in a year is moving at a slower pace and will generally need more years to complete the same credit total. These are planning examples, not a guarantee of module availability or completion time.

Illustrative planning scenarios

These scenarios are examples, not accounts of specific OU students. I use them to show why the same degree can suit different budgets and schedules.

• Working adult: A learner with a full-time job may choose fewer credits each year. This can make weekly study more manageable, but the degree will take longer. Estimate fees by the modules planned for each year and check whether later-year prices may change.
• Recent school leaver: A student able to study at a faster pace may plan more credits, but should check the workload and assessment calendar before registering. Open entry does not remove the need to meet module prerequisites.
• Career changer with prior study: A learner may ask the OU to assess earlier credits. The cost and duration could change if credit is granted, but only a written decision confirms what counts toward the chosen qualification.

Next step: Build a module-by-module plan before comparing the total with another university. A lower first-year bill does not necessarily mean a lower cost to completion.

Academic success, flexible study and student experience

OU study can give learners more control over when they study, but flexibility is not the same as low effort. Students still need to meet module deadlines, complete assessments and follow progression rules. Before starting, review the course’s study materials, support options and expected weekly workload.

Look at the actual assessment format for each module. Courses may use different forms of assessment, and it is safer to check the module page than to assume every subject is assessed in the same way. Ask the university how tutoring, study support and accessibility services work for your course and situation.

A practical study plan should include:

• Regular weekly study periods, even if they shift around work hours.
• Time for reading, assignments and revision before each deadline.
• A plan for contacting a tutor or support service when you fall behind.
• A small financial reserve for costs you have confirmed may apply, such as resits.
• A review of your credit progress at the end of each study period.

Part-time study may reduce the amount you pay at one time, but it can extend the period before graduation. That matters when you compare fees, income, and the time you expect to spend studying. Consider both the yearly cash flow and the total planned course cost.

Career pathways, professional recognition and employment outcomes

A degree’s career value depends on more than its title. Employers may consider your subject, skills and experience, while regulated careers can require an approved course or further registration. OU’s institutional status does not automatically mean every degree meets every professional or overseas licensing requirement.

The Open University is a UK-recognized degree-awarding institution regulated in England by the Office for Students. That is relevant when assessing the institution, but it is not a substitute for checking the recognition rules of a specific employer, licensing body or country.

Before enrolling, answer these questions:

1. What job or next qualification are you aiming for?
2. Does that role require a specific accredited degree, registration or practical placement?
3. Is the exact OU qualification currently accepted by the relevant professional body?
4. If you plan to work outside the UK, will employers or credential evaluators in that country recognize the award?
5. What skills or work experience will you need in addition to the degree?

Where a profession is regulated, contact the relevant professional or statutory body and ask about the exact degree and route you plan to take. Do this before paying fees. General recognition of the university does not ensure that a course leads directly to a license or professional status.

For financial comparisons, look at reliable earnings data with care. College Scorecard, NCES and PayScale cover different institutions, populations and measures; none should be treated as a guaranteed salary forecast for one OU graduate. Compare the data’s country, degree level, subject, time period and sample before using it in a personal return-on-investment estimate.

A step-by-step way to choose an OU degree

A sound decision starts with your goal, then tests the course, cost and recognition against it. This helps prevent a mismatch between an appealing subject and the qualification your planned career actually needs.

1. Set the target. Identify your career or transfer goal, intended country of work, study pace and prior credits. If the career is regulated, identify its approved education route.
2. Shortlist qualifications. Use the OU directory to find relevant undergraduate degrees. Confirm the exact award and whether it is available for your intended start.
3. Check entry and curriculum. Read the qualification and module pages for entry conditions, credit total, prerequisites, sequence, assessment and availability.
4. Build a full cost estimate. Use current fees for your location and planned modules. Add only extra costs confirmed as relevant, and check funding eligibility separately.
5. Confirm recognition. Ask the professional body, employer or destination-country evaluator about the exact qualification where needed.
6. Apply and plan. Follow the course’s application or module-registration instructions and deadlines. Get any credit-transfer result in writing before relying on it.
7. Track progress. Monitor credits, deadlines and progression rules. Seek academic support early if your study plan becomes difficult to maintain.

This approach makes the comparison more useful than ranking degrees by a single fee or salary figure. It also highlights the two main risks: underestimating the total cost and assuming a qualification meets a professional or overseas requirement without checking.

Frequently asked questions

These short answers cover common questions about OU undergraduate courses, fees and recognition. Course rules and prices can change, so use the current qualification page and fee schedule to confirm details before applying.

Is The Open University a UK university?
Yes. The Open University is a UK degree-awarding institution regulated in England by the Office for Students.

Are OU degrees studied online?
Most learning is online, but course formats and requirements vary. Check the qualification and module pages for any in-person, practical, travel or residential elements.

Does the OU have undergraduate degrees in computing?
The OU offers undergraduate study in Computing and IT. Check its current directory for available degree titles, module sequences and entry conditions.

Do I need a specific GPA to apply?
Many OU undergraduate qualifications have open entry and do not require a fixed GPA or standardized test score. Some qualifications or modules have other conditions, so check the exact course.

How much does an OU degree cost?
There is no single price for every degree. Fees depend on the course, credits or modules, academic year, fee status and location. Use the current fee schedule to estimate the full route.

Can I study part-time?
OU students can study at a slower pace, subject to the qualification’s structure and module availability. Confirm the allowed study pattern and plan a realistic credit load.

Can previous university credits count toward an OU degree?
They may be considered, but the OU must assess them. Get a formal credit-transfer decision before assuming you can skip modules or reduce costs.

Is every OU degree professionally accredited?
No. Recognition depends on the qualification and profession. Check with the relevant professional or statutory body if your career requires an approved course.

Will an OU degree be recognized outside the UK?
Recognition rules vary by country, employer and profession. Confirm acceptance with the relevant employer, licensing body or credential evaluator before enrolling.

Where can I find current OU fees?
Use the fee information linked from the current qualification page and check the schedule for your location and academic year. Include any confirmed additional costs in your estimate.

(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Benjamin Carter. Visit our Meet the Team page.)