This free course is for students who are enrolled to start their first undergraduate Open University module. If you have not yet enrolled on an OU module you will not be able to complete all the activities. You should visit the public OU website to find out more about our modules.

If you are enrolled on an Access module, Apprenticeship or postgraduate module, this course won't be relevant to you. Check StudentHome for links to resources to get you started.

Welcome to this free course, Being an OU student. The aim of this course is to help you get off to the best possible start on your journey with The Open University (OU). Students who invest a bit of time preparing for their studies are more likely to succeed, so taking time to do this course now will help in the long run.



The course gives a flavour of what OU study is actually like. You'll learn about how you'll be supported and the technologies you'll use, and you'll start to develop the skills you'll need to succeed.

For some of the activities you will be required to have access to the website(s) for your first module(s). These will usually become available about three weeks before your module starts. You can, however, work through this course now and come back later to complete these activities.

Enrolling on this course will give you the opportunity to earn an Open University digital badge. Badges are not accredited by The Open University but they are a great way to demonstrate your interest in the subject and commitment to your career, and to provide evidence of continuing professional development.

Once you are signed in, you can manage your digital badges online from My OpenLearn. In addition, you can download and print your OpenLearn Statement of Participation - which also displays your Open University badge.

When you have completed the course we would really appreciate your feedback. If you would like to share your experiences of taking this course, please fill in this short survey.

