If you click a link with an * to go through to a provider, we may get paid. This usually only happens if you get a product from it. This is what funds our team of journalists, and keeps us free to use. Yet there are two crucial things you need to know about this.
- This never impacts our editorial recommendations – if it's in, it's in there because we independently rate it best.
- You'll always get as good a deal (or better) than if you went direct.
For a more detailed explanation see How MSE is financed.
Open University Deals
0 Current Deals
-
If you live in Northern Ireland, you can apply to enrol onto a totally free Open University (OU) course, until 6pm on Fri 1 Oct. There are 23 free postgraduate and microcredential courses to choose from, which usually cost up to £3,000. There are over 1,100 places available across the 23 courses and the scheme is open to all residents of Northern Ireland over the age of 18, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria – see who's eligible below.
To apply for a course you'll need to fill in one of two application forms (depending on the course type you choose), which can be found under the 'How to apply' section via the above link. Once you've checked you meet the entry requirements for your chosen module and have filled out the form, you'll receive confirmation that your application has been received from OU within one working day (so if you submit on Friday, you won't receive confirmation until Monday).
To be eligible for a place, you must be:
- Over 18
- Living in Northern Ireland
- Eligible to work in Northern Ireland
See the 'Who can apply' section on the OU website for full details.
What courses are available?
There are 23 courses to choose from under this scheme, including postgraduate modules, and postgraduate and undergraduate microcredentials. The courses will be largely delivered online, and vary in length from 10-12 weeks to six months. The microcredential courses will start in October and the postgraduate modules will start in November.
A few examples include:
- Data Management (postgraduate module) – normally £1,475
- Supply Chain Management (postgraduate module) – normally £1,570
- Agile Leadership and Management (microcredential) – normally £750
- Tackling the Climate Crisis: Innovation from Cuba (microcredential) – normally £450
OU also offers a range of free courses that are available for everyone via its 'OpenLearn' platform, including the MSE 'Academoney' financial education course.
-
MSE weekly email
FREE weekly MoneySaving email
For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today – it's spam-free!
Latest Expired Deals
-
Open University 800+ FREE short courses
Distance learning incl Chinese, Spanish & managing money
ExpiredThe Open University is a distance learning university with an open admissions policy (many of its undergraduate courses have no formal entry requirements). Like most universities, there are hefty course fees, but it also offers more than 800 short online courses completely free via its Future Learn and Open Learn schemes. These are ongoing courses, but we reckon they're good enough to share here.
Some of these courses are short extracts from longer Open University courses, and others have been adapted specifically for these schemes. They include a range of subjects such as creative writing, history and languages. There's even a course on managing your finances featuring MSE founder Martin Lewis.
Future Learn - 62 online courses with a set timeframe and tutors
The Future Learn site is owned by The Open University but also offers online courses from other UK universities. They're run during set periods of time, and there are tutors to help you. For some of these courses you have the option to pay for a certificate at the end (£40ish).
How to join a Future Learn course
To enrol on a course you will need to click on this Future Learn link and create an account using your email address and select your chosen course. Alternatively, if you fancy any of the courses below, the link will take you directly to that course's sign-up page.
Current courses include:
- Managing my money (featuring MSE's Martin Lewis)
- Introduction to cyber security
- Begin programming: build your first mobile game
Open Learn - 750+ self-learn online courses with no timeframe
The Open Learn site offers all the Open University online courses which have been featured on Future Learn in the past. There is no set timeframe to complete them and there are no tutors. There are currently 750+ available. It's worth noting that you won't receive any qualifications from completing these courses.
How to join an Open Learn course
You can access the majority of the Open Learn course materials without creating an account, but the Open University says that registering (which is free), gives you access to additional features, such as activity records which track your progress on each course. You can click on this Open Learn link or the links below will take you to the relevant application page for each course.
Free courses include:
Tip Email
FREE Weekly MoneySaving email
For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today - it’s spam free!
Use the Money Mantras
Before spending, use Martin’s Mantras. If you answer 'NO' to any, then don't buy!
Then ask:
- Do I need it?
- Can I afford it?
- Have you checked prices elsewhere?
Then ask:
- Will I use it?
- Is it worth it?
Free protection for all shopping!
There's a little-known piece of legislation that turns any credit card into a financial self-defence superhero. 'Section 75' of the Consumer Credit Act means your plastic must protect anything you buy for more than £100 for free, so if there's a problem or the company goes bust, you can still get your money back.
And although Section 75 doesn't apply to debit cards, there is something else to fall back on if you've paid using a debit card, or used a credit card for a purchase under £100. Known as Chargeback, this is part of banks' and card companies' internal rules and not a legal requirement. Read full details of Section 75 or Chargeback, plus how to claim, in our guides.
What the * means above
If a link has an * by it, that means it is an affiliated link and therefore it helps MoneySavingExpert stay free to use, as it is tracked to us. If you go through it, it can sometimes result in a payment or benefit to the site. It's worth noting this means the third party used may be named on any credit agreements.
You shouldn’t notice any difference and the link will never negatively impact the product. Plus the editorial line (the things we write) is NEVER impacted by these links. We aim to look at all available products. If it isn't possible to get an affiliate link for the top deal, it is still included in exactly the same way, just with a non-paying link. For more details, read How this site is financed.
Duplicate links of the * links above for the sake of transparency, but this version doesn't help MoneySavingExpert.com:
22 September 2021
We put all the latest deals in our weekly Money Tips email. Released every Tuesday - don't miss out!
-
Martin's energy crisis emergency help
His nine latest need-to-knows
-
Best balance transfer deals in 2yrs+
Get up to 31mths 0%
-
How to thrive on a student budget
As the new academic year starts
-
£100+ off via grocery codes
Incl £10 off Sainsbury's
-
Ending. Covid self-employment grant
Last chance to apply
-
50+ beauty lookalikes
Eg, £14 No7 powder vs £35 Charlotte Tilbury
-
Top easy access savings 0.6%
Min £1,000
-
Read the full email
For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes - join the 12m who get it. Don’t miss out
-
Worried you've been contacted by fraudsters pretending to be from your bank? You can now call 159 to check
28 September 2021![]()
If you're worried you've been contacted by a suspicious number claiming to be your bank you can now call '159' from your landline or mobile, which guarantees you a secure line with your bank to verify the original phone call. It's part of a UK-wide initiative launched by industry group Stop Scams UK and non-profit organisation Global Cyber Alliance. -
TalkTalk launches free broadband for six months for jobseekers – here's how to sign up
28 September 2021![]()
Jobseekers may be able to get six months' worth of free broadband from TalkTalk under a new partnership with the Government and Jobcentre Plus. -
Coronavirus Self-Employed & Small Limited Company Help
28 September 2021![]()
If you're worried about work during the coronavirus crisis, this guide looks at your rights if you're self employed, including what help's there for limited company directors. -
Martin: Student loan costs may rise £400/yr
27 September 2021![]()
Martin Lewis has AGAIN warned the Government against possible retrospective changes to the terms and conditions of existing student loan contracts. In a new video, the MoneySavingExpert.com founder responds to reports of a possible shake-up to student loans, which could see the earnings threshold you start repaying at cut, costing many £400/yr more. -
Avro Energy and Green cease trading – here's what it means for your gas and electricity
27 September 2021![]()
Energy suppliers Avro Energy and Green have become the latest firms to cease trading, affecting more than 800,000 households. If you're with either firm, your energy supply will continue and credit balances are protected. But DON'T switch now – sit tight and wait until your new supplier has contacted you.
-
Five things EVERYONE should know about student finance
21 September 2021![]()
There are more myths and misunderstandings about student finance than any other subject. So in this blog is my updated 2021/22 version of the must knows, with links to far more info. -
Is it time to ban Christmas presents?
14 September 2021![]()
Update September 2017: It’s eight years since I first braved this subject, expecting a snowstorm of protest. Instead, year after year more join in, like Julia who recently tweeted me, “@MartinSLewis, finally took your advice and told my family I can’t afford Christmas presents. What a weight off my mind. Thank you.” One year even the Archbishop of...
Clever ways to calculate your finances
