Students studying with The Open University can access a broad range of financial support towards their tuition fees, maintenance costs and the study-related costs they incur throughout the duration of their qualification. In addition, the University offers a variety of Bursaries and Scholarships to help students with funding.
The information below was last updated on 20 October 2023. Please note this is OU advice. Please contact the University, rather than the Students Association for more assistance:
Contact the University
Access Funding – Financial Support for Access Modules
We offer financial support for Access modules to provide students in under-represented groups with access to higher education study with the OU. The Access modules provide the perfect introduction to distance learning and university-level study.
Further information
Undergraduate & Postgraduate Fee and Maintenance Support
For undergraduate and postgraduate study there is a range of financial support to assist towards tuition fees such as loans and grants, in addition to access to maintenance support.
Further information is available on the OU’s website, please refer to the Fees and Funding pages for information on undergraduate and postgraduate support available.
Study-Related Costs Funding
The Open University offers funding towards study-related costs that may arise throughout the duration of study, such as the costs of a computer, internet, childcare, travel to tutorials and study materials.
Students in England, Northern Ireland and Wales who are in receipt of a qualifying benefit, such as Universal Credit, or who have a household income of not more than £25,000 are eligible to apply for the scheme.
The full eligibility criteria and details on how to apply are available here.
Choosing the right equipment for study
OU learning is delivered online via the module website, so you will need access to a computer or laptop and the internet. (Chromebooks and iPads are not recommended for OU study, and you can check specific ‘Computing Requirements’ on your module website.)
Great deals on refurbished devices are available, with warranty and technical support, through trusted suppliers like Stone Refurb and the getonline@home initiative. Some general advice on suitable devices is here.
Alternatively, you should be able to use a computer at your local library or community centre. The OU is a member of the National Digital Inclusion Network and you can find out here about Online Centres near you.
You are also likely to need a phone for access to tutorials. Many networks offer social tariffs which are special offers for eligible customers, so ask your network provider for information.
Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund
The Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund offers disabled veterans, injured in or due to military service, access to free Open University education. In addition to free study, successful applicants will be offered further specialist careers and disability support.
Applications for 2023/24 have now closed.
Further information
Carers’ Scholarships Fund
The Carers' Scholarships Fund is offering 20 UK-based carers a full fee waiver scholarship to study an Open University course of their choice. The scheme was aimed at carers who currently provide or have recently provided unpaid care (with the exception of Carer’s Allowance) to someone such as a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and who can’t cope without their support.
Applications for 2023/24 have now closed.
Further information
Care Experienced Scholarship
The Open University Care Experienced Scholarship, launching for the first time in 2023/24, offering four full undergraduate scholarships to care experienced young people aged 25 and under.
Our latest scholarship has been designed in collaboration with The John Lewis Partnership as part of the Building Happier Futures initiative to offer young people with experience of being in care an opportunity to study an undergraduate qualification for free.
Application for 2023/24 have now closed.
Further information
Hayes Postgraduate Scholarship
The Hayes Postgraduate Scholarship is offering 10 scholarships to students starting their first masters degree in the 2023/24 academic year, within the School of Engineering and Innovation or the School of Computing and Communication.
Application for 2023/24 have now closed.
Further information
Open Futures MA Creative Writing Scholarship
The Open University is offering a select number of postgraduate students who identify as being from a Black background, the opportunity for a full fee waiver scholarship to study the F71 MA in Creative Writing.
Application for 2023/24 have now closed.
Further information
Open Futures Scholarship for Black Students
The Open Futures Scholarship for Black Students will provide the opportunity for new, UK-resident students who identify as Black to study for free commencing study with the OU for the first time in the 2023/24 academic year. The aim of the scheme is to reach more students and to ensure that our student population reflects the whole of our society.
Application for 2023/24 have now closed.
Further information
Open Futures Environment Management Scholarship
Open Futures - Environmental Management Scholarship is offering a select number of students who are passionate about promoting change within the area of renewable energy the opportunity for a full fee waver scholarship to study F65 MSc in Environmental Management qualification.
Application for 2023/24 have now closed.
Further information
Open Futures Sanctuary Scholarship
The Open Futures Sanctuary Scholarship is offering the opportunity for new, UK-resident students who have been displaced from their homeland or place of residence for political, economic, ethnic, environmental, or human rights pressures, to study for free.
Application for 2023/24 have now closed.
Further information
Carers’ Bursary
We recognise carers face disadvantages that may prevent them from pursuing the education that they would like. The Carers’ Bursary, available to students who provide care to a family member or friend, offers students a £250 award to support with costs associated with online study such as purchasing a laptop or organising connection to the internet.
Further information
Care Experienced Bursary
The Care Experienced Bursary offers an award to registered students who are currently in, or have previously been in, the care of a Local Authority; for any length of time and at any stage in their life. The bursary offers students a £250 award to support with study costs, such as purchasing a laptop or organising connection to the internet.
Further information
Open Futures Bursary for Black Students
The Open Futures Bursary for Black Students will provide the opportunity for new, UK-resident students who identify as Black, to receive a bursary of £500, paid across the first two academic years of their Open University study. 50 bursaries will be available in 2023/24. The bursary is intended to support with the costs of study, such as buying a laptop, study materials or supporting with internet or childcare costs.
Further information
Wales Postgraduate STEMM Bursary
The Wales Postgraduate STEMM Bursary is available to students living in Wales who are studying towards a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics or Medicine (STEMM) Masters degree. The bursary has a total value of £2,000 and can be used towards any study costs and living expenses students may have whilst studying a masters qualification.
Further information
Wales Postgraduate 60+ Bursary
The Wales Postgraduate 60+ Bursary is available to students living in Wales who are aged 60 or over and studying towards a Masters degree. The bursary has a total value of £4,000 and can be used towards any study costs and living expenses students may have whilst studying a masters qualification.
Further information
Open University Students' Educational Trust
The Open University Students Educational Trust (OUSET) is the student charity where funds raised by students are used to benefit students in financial hardship. It is a separate registered charity operated by the OU Students Association.
Further information