Message from Acting Vice-Chancellor: July update from The Open University about our curriculum review

Posted on: 10th July, 2018

Last month, I wrote to you to let you know that the first set of proposed changes to our curriculum were approved at our governance committee meetings in May. Since then, the committees have met again and approved the majority of the remaining proposed changes.

As I said in my last message: “We will continue to retain a broad curriculum across all four faculties and no academic disciplines are being removed. We are planning to withdraw 10 degrees currently available, mostly at post-graduate level, and at the same time, we plan to launch 12 new degrees or degree apprenticeships. We are also planning to withdraw, merge or reintroduce in a different form, 65 of the less popular modules.

"These changes will leave us in a strong position to respond to areas of new demand – providing you with a rich and relevant curriculum offer, as well helping us deal with the financial impact of the student funding regime introduced in England in 2012.

"A small number of students will be affected and, if you are part of that group we will be in touch by the end of July to explain what this means for you and our ‘teach-out’ policy, as set out in our Academic Regulations."

There will be a small number of curriculum changes in the autumn, which will go through the appropriate governance routes for approval. We will follow up with communications to any students impacted by the decisions once they are made.

You can view the list of qualifications that have been approved to be withdrawn or amended here. This list includes curriculum changes outside of the Curriculum Portfolio Review and the changes within the Curriculum Portfolio Review.

If you would like to find out more, please view our article in the Help Centre.

I wish you every success in your study with us and look forward to many of you joining us for new modules in October.

Best wishes

Mary Kellett
Acting Vice-Chancellor