Distance learning has become a popular choice for students, and many educational and training establishments in the UK offer it alongside face to face education. It has several advantages because:

• it is possible to combine studying and professional commitments
• it offers top quality qualifications, equal in status to conventional counterparts
• the system is accredited and recognised
• students study in their own time at their own pace
• the costs of studying are reduced
• there is no need to leave Portugal to obtain top UK qualifications.

Find a course

• www.educationuk.org
• www.odlqc.org.uk/courses.htm
• http://icdl.open.ac.uk/courses

Is it recognised?

Check in the Quality Assurance Agency website for a university course:

• www.qaa.ac.uk

Check the Open and Distance Learning Quality Council for other level qualifications:

• www.odlqc.org.uk

Other useful information

Find out more about Learn Direct, the UK government initiative to promote lifelong learning through open and distance learning:

• www.learndirect.co.uk

Studying in Belgium or Luxembourg with the UK's Open University

About the Open University (OU)
The Open University's mission statement is 'Open as to people, open as to places, open as to methods, open as to ideas'

• it is the largest university in the UK
• it is totally committed to Distance Education
• it is ranked amongst top UK universities for quality of teaching and of research
• it has had over 2 million students since 1971, when it was founded
• 22% of students in part time education study with the OU, in the UK and worldwide
• it is recognised worldwide for excellence of teaching materials
• it has open entry for all but postgraduate courses

What courses and qualifications can you study?

• over 600 courses and qualifications at undergraduate, postgraduate and professional levels
• undergraduate qualifications: certificates, diplomas, general and honours degrees (BA or BSc degrees)
• postgraduate qualifications: certificates, diplomas, taught master degrees, research degrees and doctorate in education
• professional qualifications: postgraduate certificates, diplomas and masters.

How does it work?
Courses can be studied on their own or linked to qualifications. Students may study only one course, or chose to continue, accumulating credits as they go along, until the completion of academic qualifications. When you register as a student, you are sent all the materials you need to study and communicate, and are allocated to a tutor and to a group of students.

How long do courses last?
Most courses last six or nine months, but a few have different study periods, which may be shorter or longer.

When do courses start?
Most start in February, but specific programmes have different and/or more than one starting date per year

What do I do next?
Check the OU website - www.open.ac.uk - thoroughly, and request a free brochure. The brochures give you all the information you require.

When to reserve a place?
Check the website www.open.ac.uk for dates, or ask for a prospectus. Make sure you apply well before the courses start

How much does it cost?
Courses are priced differently depending on level, qualification etc. Check the OU website for information about fees.

Who to contact for more information or assistance?

			Belgium Open University Co-ordinator Tel: + 32 (0) 2 644 3372 Fax: + 32 (0) 2 644 3368 E-mail: belgium@open.ac.uk
			Luxembourg Open University Co-ordinator Tel: + 352 44 40 91 801 Fax: + 352 44 40 91 650 E-mail: luxembourg@open.ac.uk