OpenLearn is part of The Open University (OU), and if you are an OU student there are lots of ways that OpenLearn can support your formal studies.  As well as enabling you to research your next module, find additional study materials and develop study skills, your OpenLearn profile links to your OU student profile to help showcase all of your achievements together.

Using OpenLearn as an Open University student

Watch our short animation to find out how OpenLearn supports you in your OU studies.

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Completing your new student induction

The Open University undergraduate induction course Being an OU Student is hosted on OpenLearn. If you are new to the OU, or returning after a break, this is a great place to start! The course covers the basics of studying with the OU, planning for successful study, digital systems and tools you will use, where to get help and support, and even how to sign up for student discounts.

If you are studing one of the university's open programme degrees, such as BA/BSc (Hons) Open, then you can also get more help and support in the OpenLearn course Multidisciplinary study: the value and benefits. If you are a postgraduate student then Succeeding in postgraduate study is the best course for you.

Researching your next module

A small portion (up to 5%) of almost every module offered by The Open University is repurposed and offered for free on OpenLearn. You can use these to research different subjects or help decide on future module choices by getting a flavour of what that module may be like. All of our courses can be found in the course catalogue, and if you know the OU module number that you are interested in (e.g. B100) you can use this to find the relevant OpenLearn course. 

Developing study and employment skills

Brushing up on skills like note taking, essay writing, avoiding plagiarism, using online forums or revision techniques can help you get ahead with your studies. OpenLearn has a large selection of study skills material, so that you can find just what you need.

If you're thinking of changing jobs, moving sectors, starting a new career, or want to develop in your existing role, OpenLearn can help with that too. Our skills for work content is there to support your development, and because it's created by The Open University (sometimes in partnership with other employers), you can include it on your CV with confidence.

OpenLearn digital badges

Digital badges which you have earned for successful completion of Badged Open Courses on OpenLearn are listed in your OpenLearn profile, and also on your OU student record. They appear in your StudentHome online study record, and on your downloadable Student Academic Summary.

This means that Open University staff who are supporting you in your studies, including your course tutor, can see all of your relevant Open University study. For example, your tutor could see that you have completed the induction course Being an OU Student, or a course recommended for your formal studies.

Including your badges on your Student Academic Summary allows you to highlight them to current or potential employers as part of a full summary of your Open University studies. You do not need to have completed a qualification in order to download and use your Student Academic Summary.

You can also share digital badges on social networking platforms such as LinkedIn, include them on your CV or use them as evidence of professional development (CPD) at work.

Open University modules and qualifications

Modules and qualifications which you are currently studying with the Open University, or which you have previously completed, are listed on your OpenLearn profile. They appear in the ‘My OU Life’ section of the profile.

You can choose whether you want to make any or all of the information in your OpenLearn profile visible to others (public), or keep it private. The default setting is private. Choosing to make information visible to others enables you to use your OpenLearn profile as an online showcase of your achievements. You can link to your OpenLearn profile from other platforms such as LinkedIn, or include a link on your CV.