In March 2025 the university published the Conditions of Registration (Short Courses ) 2025/26.
There were a number of significant changes from the previous version of this policy (Conditions of Registration (Short Courses ) 2024/25). These were:
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) Removal of paragraph in ‘Introduction’ stating that The University will notify Students by email of any significant changes to this document.
d) 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.
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’.
g) New second paragraph within section A1. outlining how students can register at The Open University.
h) Removal of paragraph in A1. 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).
i) Updates throughout document replacing terminology ‘vulnerable adults’ with ‘at risk adults’.
j) Updates throughout document to references of UK equality legislation.
k) Update to clause A4.1 replacing reference to ‘The Registration Agreement’ with ‘Your legal agreement with us’.
l) Removal in clause A4.1 of a requirement that, unless exceptional permission has been obtained, the course is available to study in the country in which an apprentice is resident.
m) Removal throughout the document of the Retention of Student Data and Records policy (as subsumed into the Student Privacy Notice).
n) Amendment to clause C1.2a) replacing reference of ‘Safe Space Reporting’ to ‘Report + Support’.
o) Amendment to clause D3.1d) to improve clarity and include reference to suspension, exclusion or expulsion from a subsidiary organisation.
p) Section E4 has been moved further up the document to become new clause E1.2.
q) New clause G5 outlining appropriate use of The Open University logo, shield and crest.
r) New clause K2.4 stating that students have the right to appeal against decisions taken by The Open University.
s) ‘Glossary’ section has been renamed to ‘Definitions’.
t) New definition of ‘Academic Debt’.
u) New definition of ‘Non-Academic Debt’.
v) New definition of ‘Registration Agreement’.
w) New definition of ‘Temporary absence’.
x) Reference to ‘The Open University Students Association’ has been amended to ‘The Open University Students Union’.
