In March 2025 the university published the Conditions of Registration (Microcredentials hosted on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)) 2025/26.
There are a number of significant changes from the previous version of this policy (Conditions of Registration: Microcredentials hosted on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) 2023/24 - 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c) References to ‘The Open University’ throughout this document have been replaced by ‘we’, ‘us’ or ‘our’ to improve readability.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) Removal of reference to FutureLearn Microcredentials, ExpertTracks and Professional Development courses in the section ‘What this document does not cover’.
f) New section ‘Bullying, Harassment & Sexual Misconduct’.
g) Section ‘Safe Space Reporting’ has been renamed to ‘Reporting Bullying and Harassment’, with references to ‘Safe Space Reporting’ amended to ‘Report + Support’.
h) Amendment to clause A1.1 to improve clarity; its meaning has not been changed.
i) Clarification to clause A1.3 that not all Microcredentials and Microcredential-only qualifications are available to study for those under the age of 18 and the timelines involved in registering for Microcredentials available for these students.
j) Removal of clause within section ‘Your agreement to register as a Microcredential Learner’ 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).
k) Update to clause A2.4 to reflect that cancellation of a Microcredential may be a result of the disclosure of a criminal conviction.
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 Microcredential and qualification is available to study in the country in which an apprentice is resident.
p) Addition to clause A4.1 stating that learners 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) New clause A4.4 stating that Learners must register for each Microcredential they wish to study.
s) New section ‘Duration of registration as a Student’ outlining the duration of an individual’s status as a Student of The Open University.
t) New section ‘Lapse in Registration’ outlining the circumstances in which a Learner will lapse in Registration and the rules that will apply to them if they wish to continue their studies with The Open University.
u) Removal throughout the document of the Retention of Student Data and Records policy (as subsumed into the Student Privacy Notice).
v) Amendment to clause A7.1.1 to align with wider Conditions of Registration suite.
w) New clause A7.2.2 outlining the reasonable steps The Open University may take to mitigate circumstances outside of our control.
x) 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 do not have any liability for any failure to provide services to students or learners.
y) New clause A7.2.5 outlining options to Learners if The Open University is unable to deliver a qualification or Microcredential for a period of 6 weeks or more.
z) New clause A7.2.6 stating that learner may be entitled to a full or partial refund of tuition fees if The Open University are completely unable to deliver a qualification or Microcredential for a period of 6 weeks or more.
aa) Amendment within section A7.4.1 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.
bb) Removal of clause within A7.6 regarding availability of modules and qualification time limits, as this information is already held within the Academic Regulations.
cc) Amendment to clause A7.6.6 to replace the term ‘course’ with ‘Microcredentials and Microcredential-only qualifications.
dd) New clause A7.7.4 outlining that any withdrawal of a Microcredential or qualification will be managed in accordance with the Academic Regulations and Student Protection Plan.
ee) Addition to clause C2.4 to highlight that qualification regulations are available on the online prospectus and StudentHome.
ff) Amendment to clause D1.4a) replacing reference of ‘Safe Space Reporting’ to ‘Report + Support’.
gg) Amendment to clause D1.4c) removing reference to the Code of Practice for Student Assessment.
hh) Amendment to clause D2.1 removing reference to the Code of Practice for Student Assessment.
ii) Amendment to clause D2.2 removing requirement for residency in Wales if a Learner wishes to submit written work in Welsh.
jj) New clause E1.6 outlining the implications of a lapse in registration for Learners.
kk) Amendment to clause E2.1h) to improve clarity and include reference to suspension, exclusion or expulsion from a subsidiary organisation.
ll) Amendment to clause E2.1l) to signpost to new clause A4.8.
mm) Section F4 has been moved further up the document to become new clause F1.2.
nn) Removal of clause within section F3, removing mention of how to update the ‘online appearance profile’ to align with the wider suite of Conditions of Registration documents.
oo) New clause H3 prohibiting the promotion of products or services via Open University computing services.
pp) New clause H5 outlining appropriate use of The Open University logo, shield and crest.
qq) New clause K1.4 outlining how to disclose unspent criminal convictions.
rr) New clause K2.4 stating that Learners have the right to appeal against decisions taken by The Open University.
ss) ‘Glossary’ section has been renamed to ‘Definitions’.
tt) New definition ‘Academic Debt’.
uu) Amendment to definition of ‘Lapse in registration’ to reflect changes in clauses A4.7-A4.11 of this document.
vv) New definition of ‘Registration Agreement’.
ww) New definition of ‘Temporary Absence’.
xx) Addition to the section ‘Related Policies and Legislation’ stating that key points from the listed documents will have been highlighted within this document.
yy) Reference to ‘The Open University Students Association’ has been amended to ‘The Open University Students Union’.
