Open Study College

Open Study College provides distance learning courses and qualifications across academic, vocational and workplace subjects.

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Quick overview

Learners can study at their own pace, with a personal tutor and access to learner services during their course.

A Levels and GCSEs cover subjects including maths, English, sciences, psychology and business studies.
Animal care courses include behaviour, welfare, dog grooming and veterinary support.
Nails and beauty subjects include make-up, massage, facials and nail treatments.
Most distance learning courses offer a choice of online materials or a printed study pack.
Some qualifications have exam options, and organisations can request tailored business training.

Introduction

Open Study College provides distance learning courses and qualifications, with options to study online or, for most courses, using printed materials.

Subjects range from A Levels and GCSEs to animal care, beauty, accounting and business training. The college also offers Access to Higher Education diplomas and Functional Skills qualifications.

What Open Study College offers

Courses cover academic subjects, vocational topics and workplace training. Learners can study at their own pace, with a personal tutor and access to learner services during their course.

For some qualifications, including AAT, A Levels and GCSEs, exam options are available. The college also provides tailored training packages for organisations.

Product and service categories

A Levels

Online A Level subjects include maths, further maths, biology, chemistry and physics. Other subjects include psychology, sociology, law, politics, history and philosophy. English language, English literature, business studies, accounting and economics are also offered, alongside combinations of subjects and fast-track options.

GCSEs

GCSE courses include English language, English literature and mathematics, with foundation and higher tiers available in maths. Science subjects include biology, chemistry and physics, with foundation and higher tiers listed for each, as well as combined science. Other subjects include computer science, psychology, history, business studies, sociology, economics, French and Spanish. The range also includes iGCSE English language and mathematics.

Access to Higher Education and Functional Skills

Access to Higher Education diplomas are offered in subjects including health, law and criminology, and computer science. These diplomas can be studied from home. The college also offers Functional Skills qualifications.

Animal care

Animal care courses cover animal behaviour, animal welfare, dog grooming, dog training and veterinary support. Other topics include zoology, marine biology, equine studies, ornithology, primatology and exotic animal care. The range includes courses at levels 2, 3 and 4, as well as level 5 diplomas in animal studies and animal psychology.

Nails and beauty

Courses cover nail treatments, beauty therapy, make-up, massage, facials and aesthetic treatments. Options include nail art, lash lifts, bridal make-up, hair extensions and salon management. Some courses can be combined across subjects, and kit options are available for many courses.

Accounting, education and care

Accounting options include AAT and ACCA qualifications at levels 1 to 4. Teaching assistant courses include NCFE CACHE qualifications. The college also lists courses in childcare, education, healthcare, and health and social care.

Business training

Business training covers leadership and management, marketing, HR, project management, event management and administration. Accounting training includes AAT and ACCA qualifications, while marketing and HR options include CIM and CIPD qualifications. Project management training includes PRINCE2 and AGILE qualifications.

Browse the full range on the Open Study College website.

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Using the website

Learners can enrol online and view approximate study hours on individual course pages. The A Level course finder includes a search for careers, degrees or goals, and subject combinations can be personalised by adding or removing courses.

Guides cover A Level and GCSE subjects, grading and exams, as well as career topics such as accounting, nursing, teaching assistance and dog grooming. A prospectus is also available to download.

Notable features

For most distance learning courses, learners can choose between a study pack containing printed course materials and digital materials accessed through the online learning portal. The portal, Ohana, can be used to submit assignments and track progress.

A personal tutor provides support throughout the course, and the learner services team can answer queries. Course advisers can discuss course choices and guide learners through enrolment.

For organisations, the business training team offers consultations and tailored proposals. Training packages can be designed around an organisation's industry, roles and objectives, with setup and enrolment support included.

Frequently asked questions

Are there scheduled classes?

Open Study College's distance learning courses do not have scheduled classes or timetables. Learners can set their own study schedule, although some qualifications have deadlines.

What study formats are available?

For most distance learning courses, there is a choice of a printed study pack or online study. The online option provides access to digital course materials through the learning portal.

What support is available during a course?

Learners have a personal tutor throughout their course. The online helpdesk and learner services team are also available for queries.

Can exams be arranged through the college?

Exam options are offered for some qualifications, including AAT, A Levels and GCSEs. For courses where an in-person exam is required, choosing the option with exams means the college arranges the booking.

Does the college offer practical assessments?

Practical assessments can be arranged for A Level courses where they form part of the qualification. Some GCSE options also include both exams and practicals where a practical element is required.

Can a business request tailored training?

Yes. The business training team discusses the organisation's training needs and prepares a tailored proposal.

Key takeaways

Distance learning includes A Levels, GCSEs and vocational courses.
Animal care, beauty, accounting and teaching assistance are among the subject areas.
Most courses offer a choice of online materials or a printed study pack.
Personal tutor and learner services support are available during study.
Exam options are offered for some qualifications, and tailored training is available for organisations.

Summary

Open Study College offers home learning across academic, vocational and workplace subjects. Its courses combine self-paced study with tutor support, while options such as study packs, exam arrangements and tailored business training vary by course or service.