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.

For full details on the wide range of courses on offer visit the 18 to 24 website. 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.