Changes to policy and curriculum

Introduction to new tutorial arrangements

Warning: the content within this page reflects what was communicated to students in the 2015/16 academic year. As such, this information may no longer be factually accurate.

The University is changing the way tutorials will be run and will introduce a new tutorial booking system to enable the University to assess attendance numbers and plan tutorial provision more effectively. Changes will be introduced gradually over the next two years and will result in a greater consistency and choice in tutorial arrangements as more flexible options are introduced. We expect that all modules starting in October 2016 will use the new tutorial booking system.

Students registered for a module starting in May 2016 will have the opportunity to book on to tutorials (where these form part of the tuition strategy of the module). The current tutorial arrangements remain unchanged for everyone else. If a student starts a module in May 2016 they will be contacted with further information.

To begin with, only students on affected modules will be able to use the new tutorial booking system. If a student studies one of these modules they are advised to book their tutorials, rather than simply turning up. The booking system will list the tutorial’s purpose and description and students will be able to book or cancel right up to the tutorial. The remainder of Open University students will begin using the new booking system when they start studying a module after October 2016. Modules will eventually offer online alternatives to all face-to-face tutorials so that if a student isn't able to travel to a tutorial they'll be able to logon and attend the alternative tutorial in an 'online room' on their computer.

As further changes are made over the next couple of years, students may notice that tutorials on forthcoming modules are run by tutors other than the one allocated to them. They may also notice greater numbers of students attending these tutorials. Allocated tutors will remain a student's main point of contact and will help them study their module. A student's named tutor will work with them throughout their module, answer their queries and mark their assignments.

The tutorial booking system

The new tutorial booking system in StudentHome will give students the ability to view and book their tutorials. Once the system is fully functioning the following features will be available:

• From before a module starts students will be able to see the schedule of tutorials with a summary of the aims of each, so they can plan their attendance.
• If a module offers face-to-face tutorials, students can choose between several locations and dates for many of these, and some may also offer an online tutorial option.
• When a student has decided which tutorials they want to attend they can book them online. We encourage students to cancel if they decide not to attend as this frees up the space for another student.

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.