Working and learning

Online or distance learning

Open University

The Open University offers a different way to work towards a degree - through distance learning, where you can study in your own time, often alongside a job or childcare. An Open University degree combines flexibility, high quality and value for money. Most OU students study part-time which allows them to study alongside work, earn a regular income and build towards a highly respected degree. 

There are many other benefits in choosing to study with The Open University:

• You don’t need any formal qualifications to study for most qualifications
• The OU offers a huge choice of named and combined degrees which will enable you to mix modules from different subjects to suit your career needs or personal preferences
• The OU uses a blend of high quality teaching material supported by guidance and advice from a tutor, face-to-face, group tutorials, etc.

Find out more about distance learning at the Open University

Find out more about financing an Open University course

Future Learn

FutureLearn offers a diverse selection of free, high-quality online courses from some of the world’s leading universities and other outstanding cultural institutions. They aim to connect learners from all over the globe with high-quality educators, and with each other. Courses are delivered one step at a time and are accessible on mobile, tablet and desktop.

FutureLearn has launched a set of ‘FutureLearn Choices' courses, which last three to eight weeks. These are taster courses to give school leavers a real sense of university-level study.

Courses to help students prepare for future study or employment:

• How to Succeed at Interviews 
• How to Succeed at Writing Applications
• Preparing for Uni
• Developing your Research Project
• How to succeed in your EPQ 

Courses to help give students an experience of subjects outside the national curriculum:

• Forensics 
• Dentistry 
• Archaeology 
• Robotics

Coursera

Coursera offers 2,641 courses from 161 partners.

Here are a few examples of the free Coursera courses on offer:

• Introduction to Mathematical Thinking
• Music's Big Bang: The Genesis of Rock 'n' Roll
• Introduction to Game Design

Skills Toolkit

You may also be interested in studying a free Skills Toolkit course to build your employability skills available via the National Careers Service.