In March 2025 the university published the Conditions of Registration 2025/26.
There are a number of significant changes from the previous version of this policy (Conditions of Registration 2024/25). These are:
a) General restructuring of the document to align with the new Student Policy template, including new sections ‘Alternative Format’ and ‘How to contact us’, and moving list of related policies and legislation to the end of the document.
b) References to the ‘Glossary’ has been amended to ‘Definitions’.
c) References to ‘The Open University’ throughout this document have been replaced by ‘we’, ‘us’ or ‘our’ to improve readability.
d) Removal of paragraph in ‘Introduction’ stating that The University will notify Students by email of any significant changes to this document.
e) New section ‘Bullying, Harassment & Sexual Misconduct’.
f) Section ‘Safe Space Reporting’ has been renamed to ‘Reporting Bullying and Harassment’, with references to ‘Safe Space Reporting’ amended to ‘Report + Support’ throughout.
g) New clause A1.2 outlining how students can register at The Open University.
h) Clarification to clause A1.3 that not all modules and qualifications are available to study for those under the age of 18 and the timelines involved in registering for modules and qualifications available for these students.
i) Removal of clause within section ‘Your agreement to register as a Student’ stating that these Conditions will take priority over any agreement with any Open University employee or agent.
j) Updates throughout document replacing terminology ‘vulnerable adults’ with ‘at risk adults’.
k) Updates throughout document to references of UK equality legislation.
l) Update to clause A4.1 replacing reference to ‘The Registration Agreement’ with ‘Your legal agreement with us’.
m) Removal in clause A4.1 of a requirement that, unless exceptional permission has been obtained, the module and qualification is available to study in the country in which an apprentice is resident.
n) Addition to clause A4.1 stating that apprentices must not be suspended or excluded from participating in study or expelled from The Open University or a subsidiary organisation.
o) New clause A4.2 stating that additional registration requirements will be presented on the online prospectus.
p) New clause A4.4 stating that students must register for each module they wish to study.
q) New section ‘Duration of registration as a Student’ outlining the duration of an individual’s status as a Student of The Open University.
r) New section ‘Lapse in Registration’ outlining the circumstances in which a student will lapse in Registration and the rules that will apply to them if they wish to continue their studies with The Open University.
s) Removal throughout the document of the Retention of Student Data and Records policy (now subsumed into the Student Privacy Notice).
t) New clause A7.2.2 outlining the reasonable steps The Open University may take to mitigate circumstances outside of our control.
u) New clause A7.2.4 stating that, provided The Open University has taken all reasonable steps to mitigate the impact of circumstances outside of our control, The Open University does not have any liability for any failure to provide services to students.
v) New clause A7.2.5 outlining options to students if The Open University is unable to deliver a qualification or Microcredential for a period of 6 weeks or more.
w) New clause A7.2.6 stating that students may be entitled to a full or partial refund of tuition fees if The Open University is unable to deliver a qualification or Microcredential for a period of 6 weeks or more.
x) New clause A7.8.5 outlining that any withdrawal of a module or qualification will be managed in accordance with the Academic Regulations and Student Protection Plan.
y) Amendment to clause B1.3 clarifying that the tuition fee does not cover postage costs for study materials.
z) Amendment to clause B3.1 to reflect the introduction of the new Fee Status Policy.
aa) Amendment to clause D2.1, removing the sentence stating that The Open University cannot guarantee face-to-face tutorials and improving clarity.
bb) New clause E1.5 outlining the implications of a lapse in registration for students.
cc) Amendment to clause E2.1g) to improve clarity and include reference to suspension, exclusion or expulsion from a subsidiary organisation.
dd) Amendment to clause E2.1k) to signpost to new clause A4.8.
ee) Amendments throughout document to highlight that The Open University will cancel a registration if the module or qualification is not offered as part of the Students in Secure Environments (SiSE) curriculum.
ff) New clause G5 outlining restrictions and permitted use of The Open University logo, shield and crest.
gg) New clause K2.4 stating that students have the right to appeal against decisions taken by The Open University.
hh) ‘Glossary’ section has been renamed to ‘Definitions’.
ii) New definition ‘Academic Debt’.
jj) New definition of ‘Registration Agreement’.
kk) New definition ‘Temporary absence’.
ll) Reference to ‘The Open University Students Association’ has been amended to ‘The Open University Students Union’.
mm) Amendment to Appendix Ap 1. Clarifying the conditions for Welsh Students in Secure Environments is identical to English Students in Secure Environments.
