Residential Schools - About Residential Schools

Residential Schools

ON THIS PAGE

Information, Advice & Guidance
The Students' Perspective
Booking your School
Booking on Long Modules (30 & 60 credits)
Booking on Residential School Modules (10 & 15 credits)
Booking Tips
Excusal
Alternative Learning Experience (ALE)

Information, Advice and Guidance

Residential schools offer you a unique opportunity to:

gain practical skills and experience
attend stimulating lectures by experts in their field
develop your communication and group working skills
develop your study skills and examination techniques
meet and socialise with your fellow students

There are many Open University modules with a residential school component. These last from one day to a full week and are based at universities, hotels, conference and field study centres in the UK and mainland Europe. Language schools run in France, Germany and Spain.

Most undergraduate residential schools run in July and August while business and managements schools run mostly in January, March, July and September.

You can register on the longer 30 and 60 credit modules with an integrated residential school or on the shorter 10 and 15 credit residential school modules where the school is the main element of the module.

To view all our current modules that include a residential school visit Study at the OU.

back to topThe Students' Perspective

A residential school not only gives you a better understanding of your module it also boosts your confidence, gives fresh impetus to your studies and provides great opportunities for making new friends and study partners.

Naturally some students are quite anxious about attending their first residential school. However, by the end of the week most enthuse about the experience they've had:

"I didn't want to go at first but being a full-time student for a week was a totally exhilarating experience."

Read more about other students' experiences in Student Experience.

Booking your School

back to topBooking on Long modules (30 & 60 credits)

1. Register: Register on your chosen module with a residential school at Study at the OU.
2. Book: We'll invite you to book via this website closer to the school - the invitation will appear on your Student Home page. Before you book you can learn more about the venues and dates available on this website.
3. View: Your confirmed booking will appear on your Student Home record.
4. Change: We realise that your circumstances may change. If places are available at another school you can change your booking on this website or by phoning the Residential Schools Team on +44 (0)1908 653235.
5. Attend: Enjoy your school!
Help: If, in exceptional circumstances, you can't make any of the school dates once booked then you may be able to participate in the Alternative Learning Experience where available. Contact the Residential Schools Team as soon as possible for advice.

back to topBooking on Residential School modules (10 & 15 credits)

1. Register and book: Register on your residential school module at Study at the OU.
During online registration select your preferred venue and date. Before you register you can learn more about the venues and dates available on this website.
2. View: Your confirmed booking will appear on your Student Home record.
3. Change: We realise that your circumstances may change. If places are available at another school you can change your booking by phoning the Residential Schools Team on +44 (0)1908 653235.
4. Attend: Enjoy your school!
Help: If, in exceptional circumstances, you can't make any of the school dates once booked then you will not be able to pass the module if you don't attend. Contact your Learner Support team in your Regional Centre for advice.

back to topBooking Tips

Places are limited so please book as early as possible. Bookings are taken on a first come first served basis.
Some school dates and venues are very popular so you may not get the booking you want straight away, even if you book early.
Some venues are very large and there can be brisk walks of up to a mile between buildings, perhaps six times a day. Please contact the Learner Support Team in your Regional Centre if this causes you any concern.

back to topExcusal

Excusal from attendance is not allowed. Please refer to the Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) below.

back to topAlternative Learning Experience (ALE)

If you are unable to attend any of the available dates for your residential school you can ask to be transferred instead to the ALE (where available). ALEs take many forms and may involve a written assignment, an online project or computer conferencing. ALEs deliver the same core learning outcomes as the residential school. However, they usually require a considerable amount of effort and cannot deliver the breadth of learning opportunities offered at the school.

ALEs are described in the Study at the OU entry for your module. They are not available for Residential School modules. Please contact the Residential Schools Team for further advice.