In March 2025 the university published the Conditions of Registration 2025/26 Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) and Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP).
There were a number of significant changes from the previous version of this policy (Conditions of Registration for Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) 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) Reordering of paragraphs within ‘Introduction’ to align with the wider Conditions of Registration suite; the meaning of this section has not changed.
c) References to the ‘Glossary’ has been amended to ‘Definitions’.
d) References to ‘The Open University’ throughout this document have been replaced by ‘we’, ‘us’ or ‘our’ to improve readability.
e) Removal of paragraph in ‘Introduction’ stating that The University will notify Students by email of any significant changes to this document.
f) Amendment within the section ‘Scope’ to reflect that the document covers students on the DHEP and PCEP programmes.
g) New paragraph within the section ‘Scope’ to signpost all other students to review the Conditions of Registration or Terms and Conditions that apply to them.
h) New section ‘Bullying, Harassment & Sexual Misconduct’.
i) Section ‘Safe Space Reporting’ has been renamed to ‘Reporting Bullying and Harassment’, with references to ‘Safe Space Reporting’ amended to ‘Report + Support’.
j) New second paragraph within section A1 outlining how students can register at The Open University.
k) Removal of clause in A1.1 stating that these Conditions will take priority over any agreement with any Open University employee or agent (unless formally agreed in writing by The Open University).
l) Updates throughout document replacing terminology ‘vulnerable adults’ with ‘at risk adults’.
m) Updates throughout document to references of UK equality legislation.
n) Update to clause A4.1 replacing reference to ‘The Registration Agreement’ with ‘Your legal agreement with us’.
o) 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.
p) Addition to clause A4.1 stating that students must not be suspended or excluded from participating in study or expelled from The Open University or a subsidiary organisation.
q) New clause A4.3 stating that additional registration requirements will be presented on the online prospectus.
r) Significant amendments to section A5 to better clarify how The Open University will use a student’s personal information and Employer Police Force Provided Identity.
s) Amendment to clause A5.5 to confirm that any sharing of data will be in line with the Student Privacy Notice.
t) New clause within section A6.2 outlining the reasonable steps The Open University may take to mitigate circumstances outside of our control.
u) Clarification within section A6.4 better clarifying that the clause refers to industrial action on the part of The Open University’s staff or individuals external to The Open University.
v) New clause A6.7.4 outlining that any withdrawal of a module or qualification will be managed in accordance with the Academic Regulations and Student Protection Plan.
w) Amendment to clause B1.2 clarifying that the tuition fee does not cover postage costs for study materials.
x) Amendment to clause B2.1 to state that an Employer Police Force must pay any due fees and charges.
y) Amendment to clause C1.2a) replacing reference of ‘Safe Space Reporting’ to ‘Report + Support’.
z) Amendment to clause C4.1, removing the sentence stating that The Open University cannot guarantee face-to-face tutorials, clarifying that the alternative tutorial may not be online, and improving clarity.
aa) Amendment to clause E2.1f) to improve clarity and include reference to suspension, exclusion or expulsion from a subsidiary organisation.
bb) New clause E2.1g) stating that The Open University may cancel a student’s registration if we are made aware that they have been excluded from study at a subsidiary organisation.
cc) Removal of Section F4 ‘The Computing Policy and Social Media Policy’.
dd) New clause J5 outlining appropriate use of The Open University logo, shield and crest.
ee) ‘Glossary’ section has been renamed to ‘Definitions’.
ff) New definition of ‘Registration Agreement’.
gg) Reference to ‘The Open University Students Association’ has been amended to ‘The Open University Students Union’.
