Free course

Managing my money for young adults

Free statement of participation on completion

Course description

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Whether you’ve recently left school or are still studying, about to start on an apprenticeship or thinking about university, this course is for you.

This free course, Managing my money for young adults, covers everything you need to know to get you started on the new and exciting financial journey that lies ahead. It offers practical tips on what to start doing now and to continue doing as you progress on your chosen path. You can check your learning with the end-of-session quizzes and gain a badge so that you can share your achievement.

Video interviews feature money experts, including Martin Lewis of Money Saving Expert. Plus there are real-life case studies featuring current students (both at school and university) and recent graduates who reflect on their experiences of living away from home for the first time while studying.

It even features a bespoke app which will help you to budget more easily and effectively, and step-by-step animations to guide you through tricky financial processes.

To get you started, watch the following video in which University Challenge contestant, maths teacher and radio presenter Bobby Seagull introduces the course. Bobby will feature throughout the course and help you to navigate the sessions and their resources.

Enrolling on the course will give you the opportunity to earn an Open University digital badge. Badges are not accredited by The Open University but they're a great way to demonstrate your interest in the subject and commitment to your career, and to provide evidence of continuing professional development.

Once you are signed in, you can manage your digital badges online from My OpenLearn. In addition, you can download and print your OpenLearn statement of participation - which also displays your Open University badge.

Win one of ten £50 Amazon vouchers!

We are offering the chance to win a £50 Amazon voucher on completion of this course! Once you have finished the course (including the quizzes) and gained your badge, send your name and email address to pufin-event@open.ac.uk and you'll be entered into a prize draw to win one of ten £50 Amazon vouchers. Entries close at midnight on 31 May 2018.

Terms and conditions:

  • Entry to the competition is restricted to one entry per person.
  • All entries will be checked to ensure completion of the course and obtaining of the digital badge.
  • Winners will be chosen at random from all valid entries.
  • The prizes are ten £50 vouchers. No cash alternative is available.
  • Winners will be contacted by email by 14 June 2018.
  • The judges' decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
  • The competition will run from 8 March 2018 to 31 May 2018.
  • The Open University and OpenLearn are compliant with the Data Protection Act. We will not pass your details on to any third party.

Learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

  • budget effectively, taking into account changes such as getting older and leaving the family home
  • understand how to choose and manage bank and savings accounts
  • understand how to finance further and higher education studies
  • borrow sensibly and manage debts effectively
  • plan ahead to make life's goals financially achievable.

The Open University would really appreciate a few minutes of your time to tell us about yourself and your expectations for the course. We welcome your feedback and suggestions to improve the course.

Earn this free Open University digital badge if you complete this course! The badge can be displayed, shared and downloaded as a marker of your achievement. The badge is awarded for completing the course and passing the quizzes.

You can start this course right now without signing-up. Click on any of the course content sections below to start at any point in this course.
If you want to be able to track your progress, earn a free Statement of Participation, and access all course quizzes and activities, sign-up.

Course content

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For further information, take a look at our frequently asked questions which may give you the support you need.

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