Terms and Conditions of Registration 2022/23 (Professional Development Courses)
In March 2022, The Open University published the Terms and Conditions of Registration (Professional Development Courses) 2022/23 for the first time.
These Terms and Conditions set out the terms of the agreement between you and The Open University. They also refer to other policies, procedures, guidance documents and codes of practice listed in Related Documentation. Together, these documents set out the details of your rights and obligations as a Learner of The Open University studying a PD course.
The changes made:
There have been several significant changes to this policy:
- The Term Corporate and Professional Development Courses (CPD) has been replaced with Professional Development (PD) Courses throughout.
- URL links to the Executive Education website have been updated throughout.
- Addition of section entitled “Summary of significant changes since last version”.
- Related documentation list updated to incorporate the Academic Conduct Policy and Fitness to Study policy.
- New Sections added entitled “Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the Open University” and “Safe Space Reporting”.
- In, ‘Summary of the main terms of the contract between us’, clause 10 includes the addition “The Open University may offer a refund at our discretion.”
- In, ‘Summary of the main terms of the contract between us’ clause 11 has been amended to include failure to disclose any unspent legal restrictions or conditions that are specified within the Conditions of Registration in line with the Code of Practice for Student Discipline.
- In, ‘Summary of the main terms of the contract between us’ clause 16 includes clarifications about generic announcements related to your study.
- Clause A1.1 has been amended to remove reference to ‘letter’.
- Section A2 “Additional condition for disclosure of legal restrictions and conditions” has been amended to the latest advice regarding the requirement to disclose unspent criminal convictions at the point of registering to study at The Open University (A2.1); learners who are currently, or become subject to a Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS, or other criminal justice agency) licence, Court Imposed Order or similar relevant condition/restriction imposed by a court or by an authorised body (A2.2); and consequences of non-disclosure (A2.3).
- B3.1 updated for clarity, including change of term CPD Learner Dashboard to Learner Dashboard.
- B3.3 includes addition of clarification on the term Access Period which is defined in your Confirmation of Registration email.
- B4.2 and B4.3 deletion of ‘within 18 months from your date of registration onto that course.’
- Clause C2.3 b) amended for clarity.
- Addition of new sub-clause C3.1 f), regarding failure to disclose legal restrictions under Section A2. Addition of criminal prosecution if you carry out a fraudulent action.
- Clause C4.3b) amended to include the sentence “If a reasonable alternative is not available, The Open University may offer a refund at our discretion.”
- Removal of references to Clause D4.
- Removal of references to additional charges in D1.1.
- Clause D1.2 rewritten for clarity on payment methods accepted.
- Amendment to Clause D3.1 for clarity, now refers to D1.2 for full information.
- Amendments to Section G “Student Discipline” to reference Academic Conduct.
- Addition of new Section H4 “The Computing Policy”.
- Addition of new section J, “Fitness to Study”.
- Addition of new section K, “Affiliation with third party organisations”.
- Glossary updated: Reference to ‘Learner Dashboard’, ‘Professional Development Course’, ‘Professional Development Learner’, and ’Professional Development Course website’.
- Amendments to ‘Further clarification’ section.
- Amendment to Appendix Ap 1.1 to describe the process of disclosure of an unspent conviction and to include two new offences.
For more help or information
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.
