Changes to policy and curriculum

Diploma of Higher Education and Foundation Degree in Business (W05 and X05) - Qualification withdrawal

The Open University will withdraw the following qualifications on 31 December 2019:

• Diploma of Higher Education in Business (W05)
• Foundation Degree in Business (X05)

They will be replaced by the new Diploma of Higher Education in Business Management (W51), which will be available from the 2015/16 academic year.

What students need to do

If a student wishes to claim the Diploma of Higher Education in Business (W05) or the Foundation Degree in Business (X05) they must complete all academic requirements by 31 December 2019. This means that they will most likely need to start their final module no later than October 2018. If a student has already started their Stage 2 studies they are advised to continue working towards the older versions of these qualifications.

Please be aware that some of the modules which count towards these qualifications are due to be discontinued before the qualification end dates.

• An introduction to business studies (B120) will begin for the final time in April 2015. This module is compulsory. If a student doesn't successfully complete this module before it is withdrawn, they will be unable to attain this qualification.
• Working and learning: developing effective performance at work (BU130/BUXS130) will begin for the final time in April 2015

Alternatively, students have the option to transfer onto the new Diploma of Higher Education in Business Management (W51) or to one of our Open programme qualifications, such as the Diploma of Higher Education Open (W34). If a student wishes to transfer onto the newer version of this qualification, they need to be aware of the following:

• It is only advisable to transfer onto this newer qualification if a student hasn't yet started Stage 2 of the X05 or W05. If a student already has credit at Stages 1 and 2, they may find that some of their modules cannot be counted towards the new qualification.
• The Diploma of Higher Education in Business Management (W51) does not include a free choice option. If a student has completed a free choice module as part of their current qualification they will need to check whether they can count it towards W51.
• If you have received an award of credit transfer towards your current qualification, this will need to be reassessed for W51.

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.