Open universities offer studies in bridging, vocational education, undergraduate degrees and postgraduate qualifications in the areas of arts and humanities, business, education, engineering, health, information technology, law and science.
Students interested in Open Universities can enroll online or by telephone. Students can use the university's website to access much of its study material, correspond with professors and university administrator, download assignments and take exams. Exams are arranged by the Open Universities Examination Services. Most of the university's students are part time. Open Universities classes are offered in what's called "study periods," which closely resembles quarters in American colleges. Each study period is 13 weeks long and begin in March, May, August and November. Graduate students participate in three study sessions annually starting in March, July and November.
Open Universities says undergraduate first-year students have no entry requirements, and it allows students to advance at their own pace. While students can enroll in as many as four units, or classes, per study period, the university does not recommend it for first-year students and students returning to school after a long layoff. The university recommends first-year and those first returning to college studies, to take one or two classes and slowly work their or way up to the four classes.
International students living outside of Australia, with a few exceptions, can enroll and take any classes at Open Universities. To be successful, students should know speak, read, and understand English, have competent computer and online skills, and have some understanding of the Australian higher education system and its expectations. University representatives suggest that students register early and take into account time for class material to be sent to them and purchase textbooks before the start of each study period. It is the responsibility of the students to have adequate Internet access for the classes. Students should take into account that some studies may need to be downloaded and to make sure their computer has the proper online and printing capabilities.
Students will have to purchases various study materials for each class, including books, websites, DVDs and CD-ROMs. Students will also have access to academic writing resources, career advice, support and counseling and other students through the Internet. Students will have access to discussion forums, student and professor contact lists and learning centers.