Services for OU Students

For general information, students in Italy can contact the OU Coordinator in Italy, Jane Pollard, and/or your Regional Centre as designated in your materials.

Students based in Ticino, Switzerland can also contact Margaret Johnson in Geneva:
tel/fax. +41 022-7886473;
e-mail [email protected].

OUSA in Italy

The OU Students Association is your Association. All students are automatically members unless they make a special request to be withdrawn. There are two branches in Italy: the Northern Italy branch has meetings in Milan and serves both Northern Italy and Ticino, and the Rome branch which serves Southern Italy and Rome.

OUSA NI

The OUSA NI Committee is keen to get involved in issues which will help to improve the OU/OUSA and has the opportunity to bring policy motions forward at the annual OUSA Conference. This ability is especially important for us in Continental Europe where services are less abundant than in the U.K.

OUSA NI's committee holds regular meetings in Milan and the Annual General Meeting is usually held in the Spring. Anyone who is taking courses with the OU in Italy can attend these meetings and is encouraged to participate as often as they can.

OUSA Rome

The OUSA Rome branch is in the process of regeneration, therefore, it isn't as active as OUSA NI. In case of need, students in the south will always be provided with information and support by OUSA NI.

Course Materials

The OU Co-ordinator for Northern Italy, Jane Pollard has a large set of course materials available for viewing, which can be very useful in helping to decide which course to choose next. In most cases this consists of the Course Guide and other course prospecti. Contact her at the times/numbers listed on the Coordinator page to arrange to see these materials or go to an OU open Day or Course Choice Day in Milan or Rome (see below). The Library at the British Council in Milan (via Manzoni) also has some books from some of the OU's Foundation Courses.

If you are a student with the OU's Business School you can also contact Tim O'Donnell or Laura Pallaro at [email protected].

Study Skills Workshops

These workshops have become a regular feature in Milan since the founding of the OUSA branch five years ago. A series of two or three sessions per year are offerred by local tutors and sometimes with the participation of a senior counsellor from Newcastle. The sessions aim to help you study more effectively. Note taking, good essay writing and the use of multi-media are typical topics which are explored. With the challenges of distance learning, all students are encouraged to take advantage of this facility, especially those of you in your first encounter with the OU. These workshops also give you a chance to meet other students who, like you, find studying a worthwhile way to spend their time.

Course Choice Day

Usually held in twice yearly, the course choice day gives students a chance to browse through materials and consult local tutors and other OU staff to help them decide about 'what to do next'.

Fall Revision and Exam Skills Workshop

As you submit your September TMAs, you will turn your mind to your final exam, and how to effectively prepare for and tackle this hurdle. At the workshop in September, local tutors will offer seminars to give you help on revision strategy (know now that being selective is crucial), and exam techniques. This will help you to go into the exam experience, which may well be your first for a frightening number of years, with a sense of control and familiarity.

To find out about upcoming workshops, course choice days or other events, please see the Coordinator page.

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Student Support

Student Support Links (SSLs)

Student Academic Links (SALs)

Enabled Students Group (ESG)

Peer Support Online

Check out our Student Support Page
or the OUSA Main page
for more information

Every OU student who is liable for taxes in Italy has the right to deduct part of their university fees, equivalent to a percentage of the fees that they would have paid for a correspondence course at an Italian state university.

What to do:

1 - Get the documents reporting the fees you would have paid at an Italian state university. (Remember, the academic year for the OU may not coincide with the Italian one, which is typically November to June; therefore, you have to refer to the SECOND installment of the Italian fees for an academic year and then add the FIRST installment for those for the following year when this becomes available);

2 - File the documents, reporting your payments to the OU, according to the way you pay;

3 - If you paid in British Pounds Sterling, collect and file the exchange rate (reported by Il Sole 24 Ore) of the days in which you have paid your OU fees (including by installments or through OUSBA accounts). Note: the correct exchange rate is reported in the newspaper of the first working day FOLLOWING the day in which you have effectively paid (i.e. the day in which your credit card has withdrawn your money from your bank account).