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Become an OU student

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Being an OU student
Being an OU student

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2 What will OU study be like?

As an OU student you choose when and where you study, whether that’s at home in the evenings, in the local library at the weekend, in the office after work or on the move during your commute. This is different from going to a traditional university, college or school where you would be expected to be at a set place, at a specific time.

The best people to tell you about what OU study is like are other students. Watch the following video of real students for some insights into what you can expect.

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Studying on your own doesn’t mean that you’ll be isolated or unsupported in your studies. You’ll have a tutor for most modules you study, as well as a team of people at the OU to support you in succeeding in your studies and beyond.

You’ll also have opportunities to work with, and meet, other students. Depending on what module(s) you study, you might have live online tutorials, face-to-face tutorials, forums and activities.

You’ll also receive high-quality materials to guide you through your studies. The format of these will vary depending on the module you’re studying. You may get:

  • printed materials delivered to you
  • online activities that can be followed either on a computer or a mobile device (these can include quizzes, audio, video and interactive materials).
Described image
Figure 1 Printed module materials
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Figure 2 Online module materials

You’ll also have access to an online study planner to guide you through each week. This can be a great starting point when planning your studies.