Our student policies align with the Open University Student Charter.
For information about changes to policies and regulations see the Change log.
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This policy defines ‘plagiarism’ and other forms of academic misconduct and highlights how to avoid them.
This is a University statement of academic freedom principles.
This policy defines how The Open University monitors whether a student is making sufficient academic progress as defined in our regulations, how and when study restrictions may be applied, and how students can apply for permission to undertake further study given a study restriction.
These regulations, together with the Conditions of Registration, define the basis of the academic relationship between the student and the University.
The Open University Student Accessibility Policy confirms The Open University's approach to promoting accessibility and ensuring all our students are effectively supported in achieving success in Higher Education.
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that you are fully informed about what the University does when the Module Result Panel (MRP) is unclear about the result outcome to award, based on the submitted evidence available to them.
This document sets out the University's policy for the admission of applicants under the age of 18 and includes the admissions process for applicants under the age of 16.
The OU recognises that there are times when it may be easier for a student to communicate with the University through the use of an advocate.
An Aegrotat award is an exceptional award to allow students to complete a qualification. It may be made if a student is permanently prevented from continuing with or completing their modules or qualification, usually due to serious illness or death.
The Open University is committed to minimising bribery and corruption risk involving employees, post graduate students working for the University and third parties including business partners, agents and intermediaries. The University is required to comply with the Bribery Act 2010 (the Act), in particular Section 7 of the Act to have adequate procedures in place to prevent bribery for or on the University’s behalf.
The Assessment Banking Rules set out the conditions you will have to meet if, when you defer an eligible module, you wish to retain the scores from assessments you have completed.
The Assessment Handbook (Microcredentials) has now been replaced with separate policies that cover different aspects of assessment whilst studying with The Open University. Separate course-specific information on your microcredential website will tell you about the individual assessment task for your microcredential.
The Assessment Handbook has now been replaced with separate assessment policies that cover different aspects of assessment, whilst studying with The Open University.
Mae gan fyfyrwyr sy'n byw yng Nghymru hawl i gyflwyno aseiniadau trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg. Amlinellir hyn yn hysbysiad cydymffurfio iaith Gymraeg y Brifysgol Agored.
This policy explains attendance expectations at The Open University, how we monitor, record and report on your participation and engagement, the actions we may take regarding unsatisfactory attendance and the compliance implications.
This policy sets out the support available for students who are care experienced and how to let the University know if you are care experienced.
An outline of the advice and guidance available from Careers and Employability Services.
An explanation of the rules that apply if you want to defer or withdraw from your studies, or want to change your choice of module or qualification.
These regulations define how your study will be assessed if you are studying a Microcredential delivered on FutureLearn.
The aim of this code is to make sure that we maintain academic standards and provide an appropriate learning environment.
If you believe you have been misadvised or misled during the introduction to OUSBA then you should make a formal complaint using this procedure.
The Student Complaints and Appeals Procedures enable you to bring matters of concern to the attention of The Open University.
The Open University Student Computing Policy sets out the expected ways in which you, as a student, will use Open University computing services in your studies.
These Conditions of Registration and the Registration Agreement set out the terms of the agreement between you and The Open University. They also reference other policies, procedures, guidance documents, The Open University regulations and codes of practice listed in Related Documentation. Together, these documents set out the details of your rights and obligations as a Student of The Open University.
These Conditions of Registration and the Registration Agreement set out the terms of the agreement between you and The Open University. They also reference other policies, procedures, guidance documents, The Open University regulations and codes of practice listed in Related Documentation. Together, these documents set out the details of your rights and obligations as a Student of The Open University.
These conditions set out the terms of the agreement between us. They refer to other policies and procedures, to the Open University regulations and to codes of practice. Together with the Apprenticeship Registration Agreement and Funding Rules specific to the Nation in which you are studying, these documents set out the details of your rights and obligations as a Learner of the University.
These Conditions of Registration and the Registration Agreement set out the terms of the agreement between you and The Open University. They also reference other policies, procedures, guidance documents, The Open University regulations and codes of practice listed in Related Documentation. Together, these documents set out the details of your rights and obligations as a Student of The Open University.
The Conditions of Registration for Postgraduate Research Students provide the terms and conditions that apply to registration for postgraduate research qualifications studies at The Open University. These Conditions set out the terms of the agreement between the student and the University.
These Conditions of Registration and the registration agreement set out the terms of the agreement between you and The Open University. They also reference other policies, procedures, guidance documents, Open University regulations and codes of practice listed in Related Documentation. Together, these documents set out the details of your rights and obligations as a Student of The Open University.
The policy on Ethical Use of Student Data for Learning Analytics has been superseded by a new Data Ethics Policy.
This policy applies to Learners studying an Open University Microcredential via the FutureLearn platform. This policy does not apply to those studying any other modules and/or qualifications offered by The Open University.
This policy can be used to help deal with any form of bullying and harassment at the Open University.
The Open University is committed to a zero-tolerance approach to Domestic Abuse and Gender Based Violence (GBV). This document describes how The Open University will respond to any disclosure of Domestic Abuse/GBV, covers matters of confidentiality and signposts available support.
This policy outlines the University's approach to employability development for registered students.
This policy outlines the information related to End of Module Assessments (EMAs) only to help you complete this final assessed task. It covers the rules around submission of EMAs, late or failed submission and describes methods of appeal.
This policy outlines the information related to end-of-module tutor-marked assignments (emTMA) only to help you complete this final assessed task. It covers the rules around submission of emTMAs, late or failed submission and describes methods of appeal.
Information about the University’s legal duties, individual responsibilities and arrangements for managing different aspects of equality.
This policy outlines each of the different marking methods we use to mark your Exams and End-of-Module Assessments (EMAs) and when we will use them. It also explains how we ensure the quality of our marking, and where to go for support, to appeal your marks, or when something goes wrong.
The Exam Policy covers how, where and when you will submit your exam, what happens if you have problems submitting your exam and what happens if you submit it late or not at all. It also outlines the additional support available to students with disabilities or additional requirements.
The format of the Fee Rules has changed from 2025/26. There are now separate documents for each nation fee (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales), the Republic of Ireland and Worldwide fees.
This policy document explains how we assess and determine the fee you must pay in line with relevant UK regulations. This is known as your fee status.
Please read this procedure if you are an applicant, student or learner on a qualification where registration with a Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body is required in order to practise your profession, or where you are required to comply with a Code of Ethics and professional standards. It also covers applicants and students on the Counselling programme, who are members of professional counselling bodies and registered on their Accredited Voluntary Register (AVR).
The Open University is committed to helping students achieve their study goals and to providing support throughout the student journey, in accordance with the OU Student Charter. We recognise that studying can contribute towards positive wellbeing in many cases.
This code of practice explains the two main responsibilities of the University under the FoIA, how information will be shared and what information is exempt.
This policy applies to current and former students who inform the University that they have made, or intend to make, the transition to a gender other than the one they were assigned at birth.
This policy sets out our policy on delivering information, advice and guidance to prospective, past and current students.
These documents set out key information and terms that apply to you as a Learner of The Open University studying an OU Microcredential. This covers both OU Microcredentials that are hosted on FutureLearn and those hosted on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
This document will provide you with the necessary information and guidance to query your result if you have evidence that an error has been made in determining your result
The purpose of this policy is to ensure you are fully informed about how module results are determined, what grades of pass are applicable to different modules and when results are published. It also informs you about what steps you should take to request a Module Result Check, make a Formal Module Result Appeal or apply for Aegrotat Credit.
The Online Invigilation Policy covers how online invigilation will be conducted, what you need to do before, during and after your exam, and what you should do if you experience any issues while completing your invigilated exam.
The OU-OU Students Association Partnership Agreement sets out how the OU and OU Students Association work together, building on the values set out in the Student Charter.
Plagiarism is a form of cheating. It is the act of taking or copying someone else’s work, ideas, or intellectual property, including another student’s, and presenting it as if it were your own.
This policy outlines the general rules on how to apply for discretionary or elective postponement and the deadlines you need to meet. A summary of the policy is published alongside the main policy for the first time.
This document outlines the policy and guidance that applies to students who might need support because their study is affected by pregnancy, maternity, paternity, adoption, fostering or in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment.
As an institution of higher education, the OU has an important role in providing appropriate platforms to challenge extremist views and ideologies.
The Open University’s policy on the recording of online learning events covering participants’ rights, and the use, retention and storage of these recordings.
The Refund and Compensation policy sets out the circumstances where The Open University will offer compensation and/or refunds in the unlikely event that it is not possible to preserve continuation of study as a result of the withdrawal of a programme of study.
This policy outlines the support available to students whose religion or beliefs may have an impact on their studies.
The Research Code of Practice sets out the principles that govern the conduct of research at The Open University, and the standards for good research practice. It applies to postgraduate research students, Emeritus Professors and those Open University staff members, consultants and visiting academics, who are contracted to undertake, manage, supervise or support research on behalf of The Open University.
These regulations are the definitive statement on the regulatory framework governing Research Degrees at The Open University.
Our research degrees handbooks tell you about the services available to you; and give advice about what to do at key points in your research degree studies.
This policy outlines the general rules which apply to resitting exams or resubmitting work and the conditions you need to meet to be eligible for a resit or resubmission.
This policy has been decommissioned.
This policy has been decommissioned.
The University recognises that it has a duty of care in creating a safe environment.
Mae’r Brifysgol Agored yn un o nifer o brifysgolion sydd wedi’u henwi ym Mesur y Gymraeg (Cymru) 2011. Mae hyn yn golygu y gall unrhyw fyfyrwyr yng Nghymru ddisgwyl derbyn rhai gwasanaethau yn Gymraeg gan y Brifysgol Agored.
This policy defines the principles of SCONUL Access membership at The Open University.
This policy covers Special Circumstances affecting continuous assessment like tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs), as well as Special Circumstances affecting the final assessed task, including exams, end-of-module assessments (EMAs) and end-of-module tutor-marked assignments (emTMAs).
This policy outlines the support that the University can provide for students who have caring roles.
The Student Charter is the foundation stone on which our OU community is built.
This Student Debt policy covers the circumstances which might lead to you having outstanding fee and/or charges with The Open University as detailed in the Conditions of Registration and Fee Rules. It also outlines the means that will be undertaken to recover these outstanding amounts should you become in debt to The Open University.
The Student Privacy notice sets out how we use your personal data.
The Student Protection Plan sets out the measures in place to protect students in the unlikely situation where a risk to the continuation of their studies arises. The plan applies to all students registered with The Open University, including undergraduate and postgraduate, short courses, postgraduate research, apprentices, Higher Technical Qualifications, Vocational Qualifications and students on Open University validated awards delivered in collaboration with other providers and wholly owned subsidiary organisations.
The Open University Student Social Media Policy applies to you if you use social media in relation to your Open University studies.
The Open University has over 40 years of experience in collaborating with criminal justice agencies throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland to facilitate education for students in prisons, secure hospitals, and those with legal constraints studying in the community. The University seeks to balance its obligations towards applicants and students with unspent criminal convictions, legal restrictions or orders fairly with its obligations to the entire student and staff community as well as those visiting the University or attending its events.
These Terms and Conditions apply to registration for an Open University Microcredential. They set out the terms of the agreement between you and The Open University, and refer to policies, guidance documents and codes of practice listed in Related Documentation. These documents set out the details of your rights and obligations as a Learner of The Open University studying a Microcredential and you are entering into a legal agreement.
This policy sets out the duties of the University and taught course students who are conducting research connected to terrorism, extremism and radicalisation while studying at The Open University. The policy covers the acts of collecting, recording, having possession and viewing on the internet Security-Sensitive Research Materials. This policy applies to taught undergraduate and taught postgraduate students carrying out independent research, such as for a dissertation module.
This document covers the policy for completing and submitting your continuous assessment tasks and explains how the assessment scores are calculated, separate module-specific information such as the assessment strategy on StudentHome, your Module Guide, Study Planner and Assignment Booklet will give you more information about the TMA and iCMA assessment tasks in your module. Therefore, this document should be read in conjunction with the module specific information.
This statement was written for students, to expand on aspects of the Student Charter which relate to the relationship between students and their tutors.
Examples of how Honours classification works for undergraduate and Integrated Masters degrees.
If you notice that something is going wrong with the procedures or processes of our University, you must feel able to report it. This process is called whistleblowing. Whistleblowing is a process for you to use when you have a concern and want to report it.
For more information about changes to policy, terms and conditions, and curriculum visit the change log.
Find advice on using this website and overcoming known accessibility issues by visiting the Student Policies and Regulations Accessibility statement.
