Fees
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• 13 July 2023, 22:20Fees
I'm planning on studying part time this year for my undergrad degree and will be working full time to save up in order to be able to pay for the degree.
I've had a look at the payment options and I'm wondering if there are any other options that would be possible for me.
My situation is this: I am a Muslim, and it is forbidden in our religion to take part in/enter into any contract or transaction involving interest. I was hoping to pay for my degree in monthly instalments throughout the year, however to my knowledge, the only way to do that would be to go through OUSBA. In this case, I would be required to pay back OU in instalments throughout the year (with interest) as I will not be able to pay the full cost before the course starts.
I am also unable to take out a student loan as I will be required to pay the amount back with interest once I earn enough.
Are there any accommodations that can be made? Is it possible for me to pay in instalments throughout the year/ over the first few months of the course? If this is not an option, is it possible to pay half of the sum as a deposit before the course begins and pay the rest over the next 2/3 months, as by that point I will have started my full time job?
Any accommodations at all that can be arranged would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Hi there, thanks for your queries, I will answer both of them here. When studying with us you will study on a module by module basis. This means that you can pick your own study intensity, you can study full time or part time. Part time requires between 16 - 18 hours a week per 60 credit module. Full time requires 32 - 36 hours per week for 120 credits worth of study. If you start part time you can switch to full time if you so wish and if the module is available at that time.
However, in order to study B250 Intermediate financial accounting and B253 Intermediate management accounting, you must successfully complete the pre-requisite B124 module, so it may not be possible to study 60 stage 1 credits and 60 stage 2 credits simultaneously. However, our Business & Management team would be able to give you a definite answer, they do not have a presence on this enquirer form, and as we don't have a student record for you, we are unable to refer your query to them. If possible, could you contact us on 0300 303 5303. We are open from 8am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday. Alternatively you can email a query to the email address general-enquiries@open.ac.uk and we will send this on to the business team.
Regarding funding your studies, you fund your studies on a module by module basis meaning you pay for the module you are studying at the time rather than the full qualification, a full breakdown of fees and payment options can be found on the link below:
https://www.open.ac.uk/courses/fees-and-funding
You are correct that neither OUSBA or Student Finance offer interest free loans/monthly repayments. We offer a variety of ways to pay for your studies, and financial support through scholarships, bursaries and grants, full details can be found on the link below:
https://help.open.ac.uk/browse/payment-scholarships-bursaries-grants
With regards financial support, if you’re on a low income, or are in receipt of certain benefits, you could be eligible for additional support with your study-related costs. The Study-Related Costs Fund can be used to help with study related costs such as a laptop (up to £250), internet costs (up to £20 per month) stationery (up to £50) and a printer (up to £50). There is an eligibility criteria you would need to meet in order to be eligible.You can find out more in regards to this at: https://help.open.ac.uk/funding-study-related-costs
I hope this helps and wish you a pleasant day.
Tutors
Thank you for your swift response.
Following on from the previous message regarding being a Muslim, is it possible to specifically request a tutor of a specific gender for religious reasons? As a Muslim woman I limit my interactions with those of the opposite gender and would be much more comfortable speaking/communicating with a female tutor should the need arise.
Is this something that can be accommodated for please?
Hi Juwariah,
An adviser in your Student Support Team will look into your options with you, if you contact us through one of the contact details on the ‘Contact Us’ section of The Open University website, or by visiting: https://www.open.ac.uk/contact/
Best wishes,
Neems