Changes to policy and curriculum

Changing your Study Plans Policy 2019/20

Warning: the content within this page reflects the information available to students in the 2019/20 academic year. As such, this information may no longer be factually accurate.

In March 2019, The Open University published the new Policy Document - Changing your Study Plans Policy 2019/20. This supersedes the previous document - Changing your Study Plans Policy 2018/19. The policy has had some significant policy changes.

This policy provides an explanation of the rules that apply if students want to defer or withdraw from their studies, or want to change their choice of module or qualification. It sets out the Open University’s policy about the options that they have as a student if they want to change the modules and/or qualification that they are studying, take a break from study, or withdraw from their studies with The Open University. It also explains the rules and procedures for each option and indicates potential financial or academic consequences.

This document applies to qualifications and modules starting Academic Year 2018/19, i.e. after 1 August 2018.

October 2019 update

The changes made

1. Update to the Scope section to clarify that Microcredential students are not in scope.

March 2019 - first publication

The changes made

1. The word “from” was added to the scope section to clarify that this is the policy in force from Academic Year 2018/19 until this version is withdrawn
2. Section 7 about Methods of Appeal has been added.

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.