Online Degree Programs

Are Open University degrees different?

Open University degrees, like degrees from any university, are widely recognised higher education qualifications. You’ll do the same level of work as you would at a ‘brick’ university, and you’ll be assessed to internationally recognised standards.

By studying using our distance learning methods, you’ll be able to organise your study around your life, your job, your caring responsibilities and hobbies. It depends how much you want to take on, but most of our graduates take between six and seven years to get an honours degree. Depending on your commitments, you may be able to study more quickly, and many students take longer with their studies.

An online degree in a named subject

For a degree in a named subject, for example in business studies or humanities, you’ll study mainly in your chosen subject, although you can usually include some modules from other subjects too. Almost all these degrees are ‘honours degrees’. When you get a degree it is ‘graded’ into one of four classes: 1 (first – the highest level), 2.1 (upper second), 2.2 (lower second) or 3 (third).

With The Open University you could also study an Open degree where you can combine a range of modules from similar or different subjects to suit either your particular career or personal interests.

You can use a degree to:

  • change careers or progress your current career
  • gain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of a subject you are interested in
  • gain professional recognition
  • go onto postgraduate study, such as a diploma or masters degree.

An Open degree program

Our most popular degree, awarded either with or without honours, lets you create a qualification that is tailored to your needs and interests. You can combine a range of modules from similar or different subjects to suit either your particular career or personal interests.