How it works

Here at Open Study College, we’re passionate about helping you to achieve your goals without the restrictions of a traditional college. And with over 700 home learning courses and qualifications to choose from, we’re sure you’ll be able to find the perfect course for you and your goals.

As one of the leading distance learning colleges in the UK, we have empowered over 130,000 students to change their lives.

The distance learning experts

We understand that everyone’s learning journey, whatever that may be, is personal, different, exciting, and sometimes difficult. Here at Open Study College, we know that we are in the privileged position of being the enablers of positive life-altering change. Our team are here to do what we can to help people achieve their goals and thrive in life – we are an expert, a friendly ear, a 24/7 support, and your wildly enthusiastic cheerleader! We will empower you to move forward with your goals and we will always have your best interests at the heart of what we do. The entire Open Study College family want to help you achieve your ambitions, and we will provide you with the excitement and encouragement you need throughout your journey with Open Study College.

Courses and qualifications

Our distance learning courses are specifically designed to be studied from home. We have made it easy to study at home around your busy schedule using either a course pack or your smartphone, tablet, or laptop to access our e-learning platform.

We understand that everyone learns in different ways and at a different pace. As an online college, when you enrol with us, you can study your course on your own terms. With the exception of a few qualifications such as A Levels, GCSEs, and Access to HE to name a few, there are no strict deadlines to contend with. Submit your coursework to your tutor in as much or as little time as you need and set your own study rules.

All of our qualifications are independently accredited by established awarding organisations to provide AAT, NEBOSH, Active IQ, and NCFE CACHE courses to name a few. It’s easier to get the job you want when you have an employer-recognised qualification on your CV.

Quality is important when it comes to our home learning courses. That’s why each independent awarding body performs detailed, rigorous checks to ensure our courses meet their high standards.

Explore courses

How an online college works

Study from anywhere

Distance learning simply takes location out of the equation when it comes to studying your course. You are still able to study a fully recognised and accredited course or qualification with an online college without the commute or class timetables. You choose where you study, whether its from home, work, your commute, or a local coffee shop. It’s about you taking control of your studies and learning in an environment that works best for you.

Flexible learning

Home learning puts you in charge of your studies. This means you can study around your commitments instead of fitting your life around your learning. On each course page on our website, you’ll find approximately how many study hours are required for each course, which should help you decide if it is achievable alongside your other commitments.

There are no scheduled classes to attend or timetables to abide by. Our online courses are designed for people who need to fit learning around their existing commitments.

Tutor support

Distance learning shouldn’t mean that you are on your own. Throughout your study experience, you will receive a specialist, personal tutor, who will offer unlimited expert support and guidance during your course. You’ll have full access to our online helpdesk and our learner services team is just a phone call away.

Home learning, your way

When enrolling with us, you can tailor your experience to suit you. The study method you choose will depend on your personal learning style. For most of our distance learning courses, you will be able to choose from the following two options:

Study pack: if you choose the study pack option, you will be sent a set of printed course materials which you can highlight and annotate as you go.

Study online: if you choose the online study option, you will be sent your login details to our online learning portal through which you will access your digital course materials.

Exam packages

For some of our qualifications, including AAT, A Levels, and GCSEs, we offer exam packages where we will book and pay for your exams (and practical sessions where necessary) for you, taking some of the unnecessary stress away and allowing you to focus on your studies.

If you have any questions that we haven’t answered here, take a look at our FAQs page.

Why choose Open Study College?

Trusted qualifications

Accredited by nationally-recognised, independent awarding bodies, you can feel confident you’re working towards a qualification that will help you achieve your goals. Benchmarked against the highest of industry standards, our online courses could open the door to your dream career!

Dedicated tutor support

Throughout your learning experience, your specialist tutor will be on-hand to offer unlimited expert support and guidance throughout your studies.

There are no scheduled classes to attend or timetables to abide by. Our online courses are designed for people who need to fit learning around their existing commitments.

Externally verified

As one of the leading online colleges in the UK, we have the seal of approval from external associations such as the Open and Distance Learning Quality Council. This means you can feel confident that you are studying with a trusted online learning provider.

Student perks

Once you have enrolled with us, you will receive a FREE XO student discounts membership, allowing you to enjoy a variety of exclusive student discounts on clothes, food, holidays, and more.

Affordable study

Our affordable and competitive prices allow you to invest in your future without worry. We offer flexible monthly payment plans to enable you to spread the cost of your studies across monthly, stress-free payments.

Career support

We are invested in you and your career, that’s why when you enrol with Open Study College you’ll get access to benefits that will help you achieve the career you dream of, including:

Free CV critique service: a strong CV that details your experience and education, including your online course, can help you land your dream job. This free service means you can get your CV reviewed with helpful pointers on what you could improve.
Employability guide: whether you’re applying for your first job, looking to jump back into the job market, or you just want to refresh your knowledge, our free employability guide will help.

Getting started

Find your perfect course

Browse our range of over 700 courses on our website. Once you find the right course to help you achieve your goals, you can enrol online. If you have any questions or would like some advice on choosing your course, our friendly education specialists would be happy to help. You can schedule a call back with an adviser, or if you prefer, you can speak to an adviser using our live chat service.

Choose your payment option

Choose whether to pay for your course upfront and in full using a credit or debit card, or you can spread the cost with one of our flexible monthly payment options.

Starting your course

Once you have completed your enrolment, we will either send you your course materials in the post or email you your login details depending on the study method you choose. Once you have access to your course, you can start studying straight away. And don’t forget to introduce yourself to your tutor once you’re ready to get started!

You're in control of your future

Progress at work

If you’re looking to move up the career ladder, gain a promotion, or improve your knowledge, we have a course that can help. Studying a course via distance learning will not only improve your skills and knowledge, but it will also allow you to demonstrate your commitment to your career.

Change your career

Whether you’re looking for a more rewarding career, or you want to do something you’re passionate about, we’re here to help you get out of your career rut. Life is too short to work in a job that you don’t enjoy, so why not change your career? We have over 700 online courses in a wide range of areas. Whether you want to work in childcare, education, accounting, healthcare, beauty, or something else, we have a course to help you achieve your dream job.

You’ll also have access to our FREE CV critique service to provide you with tips on how to improve your CV to boost your chances of getting your foot in the door.

Get into university

If you didn’t get the grades you needed on results day, or you’re returning to education with the ambition of going to university, we have options for you!

You can choose to study your A Levels online with us from the comfort of your own home. They are fully accredited, recognised A Level qualifications that will allow you to achieve those all-important UCAS points.

Alternatively, if your dream is to become a nurse, midwife, or healthcare professional, our Access to HE Health Diploma could be the right course for you. This nationally recognised qualification is equivalent to three A Levels and can be studied entirely from home. And the best part? There are no exams required to achieve this qualification!

We also offer a range of GCSEs including maths and English, and Functional Skills qualifications.

Learn something new

Not everyone wants to study to benefit their career, and that’s okay! Whether you’re interested in crafts, history, creative writing, or photography to name a few, we have a course that can help you learn more about something you’re interested in.

getting into university with open study college

Who are Open Study College?

Open Study College are a distance learning college committed to helping people achieve their personal or career goals. We understand that life is busy, that’s why we offer over 700 courses, all designed to allow you to study around your existing work and life commitments. As a family-founded college, we think of everyone as an extended member of our family. We’ve got over 17 years of experience in providing distance learning courses that enable our learners to move forward with their goals.

How it works

The distance learning experts

Courses and qualifications

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