Changes to policy and curriculum

Changes to module sequence for undergraduate students

Warning: the content within this page reflects what was communicated to students in the 2014/15 academic year. As such, this information may no longer be factually accurate.

Module sequence refers to the order in which certain modules must be studied. To build on previous learning, students may be required to take some modules either before (pre-requisite) or at the same time as (co-requisite) others.

These pre- and co-requisite rules relating to the modules listed below currently apply to students if:

• they started their Open University studies after 1 September 2014 (unless they transferred credit from another Higher Education Institution)
• they transferred existing Open University credit to the qualifications offered from 1 September 2014

However, from 1 September 2017 it will also apply to students who:

• started on an undergraduate pathway between 1 September 2012 and 31 August 2014
• started their Open University studies after 1 September 2014 and transferred credit from another Higher Education Institution.

Please note that these rules don't apply to students working towards one of our pre-September 2012 qualifications. However, the majority of pre-September 2012 qualifications will be withdrawn on 31 December 2017.

How this affects students

If the rules apply to a student, they can't study certain modules unless they have already passed a particular named module (a pre-requisite), or they have studied a particular named module/intend to study it at the same time (a co-requisite).

If a student intends to study one of the modules listed below, they will need to check their module description to ensure they understand the new requirements. Students will be prevented from enrolling online unless they have passed any required prerequisites or will be required to enrol on two modules if there is a co-requisite.

However, students may be able to apply for an exemption from studying a pre- or co-requisite module. To find out about the circumstances in which an exemption may be possible, and to apply, please see Pre and co-requisite exemptions.

Affected modules

The undergraduate modules listed below are those which currently have a pre-requisite or co-requisite requirement:

• Advanced management accounting (B392)
• Algorithms, data structures & computability (M269)
• Certificated IT Practitioner 1 (MT127)
• Certificated IT Practitioner 2 (TM227)
• Data management and analysis (TM351)
• Demonstrating practice in health sciences (SZL110)
• Developing your paramedic practice (S211)
• Developing your paramedic practice (SYP211)
• Development of financial practice (DB124)
• Engineering: professions, practice & skills 2 (T276)
• Essential mathematics 2 (MST125)
• Exploring psychology on-line project (DZX222)
• Extending professional practice in the EY (E210)
• Extending your contribution to practice (K236)
• Health sciences in practice (S110)
• Key skills for professional engineers (T397)
• Leading work with young people in practice (E218)
• Mathematical methods (MST224)
• Mathematical methods, models and modelling (MST210)
• Preparing for graduate practice (KYN317)
• Principles and skills for nursing practice (KYN237)
• Professional practice in the early years (E105)
• Pure mathematics (M208)
• Software development with Java (M256)
• The computing and IT project (TM470)
• The engineering project (T450)
• Working with young people in trouble (K116)
• Youth: policy in practice (E318)

Please note the rules relating to modules which already had pre- and co-requisites before the 2014/15 academic year will still apply to all students. The modules listed above are subject to a notification period which is why they are applied differently depending on the type of qualification being studied.

Please talk to your Student Support Team if you need any further information. You can find out how to contact them on Contact the OU.