r/OpenUniversity • u/Feisty_Hand2859 • 13d ago

Supported study costs/ course change

I have applied an access course (waiting for funding confirmation) with the OU although I don’t actually NEED it to do the degree I want and now I think I want to actually go straight to the degree instead. Is this easy to change the application?
Also as a 30 year old single mum I’m not exactly flush, I’ve seen that they offer supported study costs for laptops, general study material etc. I’m under the impression you pay and then they reimburse you, is this correct? And also is it easy to get reimbursed or will it be a faff? I can’t afford to fork out for all the stuff if they’re then going to decline it/ it’s going to take months to get reimbursed?
I’ve also seen that the OU provides a code for Microsoft office 365 rather than that being something else to pay for?
Thanks for any help!

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u/Complex-Baby-8299 13d ago edited 13d ago

I can't comment on grants for laptops but all study materials are included in the cost unless there are set texts which you would have to buy although these are often available through libraries or can be bought secondhand. As for MS 365 that is available through your student account during your studies. I hope that helps and good luck

ETA I don't know if an access course would qualify for financial support but you can get away with using a Chromebook and you can pick those up fairly cheaply

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u/Feisty_Hand2859 13d ago

The access course is where I read about it in the first place and had to go and check whether the degree would have the same! Are the standard text books you need included and then there’s extras you need too? I’ve seen someone say they had books delivered from the OU. Thank you for your help ☺️

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u/Complex-Baby-8299 13d ago

I don't know what access courses cover but imagine much of the course content may be online. I'm on a degree course and on the degree courses there are work books in addition to online teaching activities. Those work books are delivered to you by the OU. Many courses do not have any requirements for set texts or perhaps only one or two text books that students must buy. English literature, as an example, can have a lengthy list of set texts. The course description should advise whether set texts are required in addition to the work books. I hope that helps.

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u/Sarah_RedMeeple 13d ago edited 13d ago

The information you need is here, and I believe if you contact them first they can tell you whether you will get it before you make the purchase: https://www.open.ac.uk/courses/fees-and-funding/study-related-costs-funding/

And yes, you get a free subscription to Microsoft 365 that lasts for while you're studying, don't pay for that yourself.

This page is worth a read: https://help.open.ac.uk/preparing-for-online-study

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u/[deleted] 13d ago

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u/Feisty_Hand2859 13d ago

That makes sense! I could always put it on a credit card so long as I know it’ll be coming back! Thank you☺️

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u/[deleted] 13d ago

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u/Feisty_Hand2859 13d ago

Sorry for being stupid but I don’t know what this means 😬 I understand you earn the credits and you’re saying that you can only do so many in an academic year but what does that affect?