OPEN University...

Hi All,
I have become a regular poster in the Visas & Citizenship forums, but nothing over here yet...

I am trying to register for a course in Bookkeeping at the open U, but since I am american and only JUST coming over to the UK for the first time, i am unsure as to whether they will let me take anything at the higher rate (that they charge to non-brits).  Has anyone had any experience in this?  Are there other online universities in the UK that anyone has attended as well?

Yes, I can say with 100% they will charge you the higher rate.  I took a course there and had to prove my residency with all my documents.

Likely you will not be eligible for home fees rates:
http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/information_sheets.php#tuition_fees
http://www3.open.ac.uk/contact/questions.aspx?t=S&cat=1-1GSQZC

The professionally recognised course is the Association of Accounting Technicians Bookkeeping qualification which you may wish to consider: http://www.aat.org.uk/content/item2560/

I'd maybe consider doing the AAT course and either topping up with related OU degree, or looking at CIMA, ACCA or CIPFA courses.
http://www.cimaglobal.com/
http://www.accaglobal.com/
http://www.cipfa.org.uk/ 

I'd see what professional bodies recognise in relation to the BA(Hons) Business Studies with Accounting at the OU:
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/qualification/b04.htm

Certificate in Accounting (OU):
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/b680.htm

See also:
http://ww2.prospects.ac.uk/p/types_of_job/accounting_technician_job_description.jsp

Hope that helps. 

First off, thank you for your very informative reply... I really do appreciate it!

I am not so worried about eligibility to be paying home fees, but when I was looking at the Open U's professional certificate in accounting, (http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/qualification/k01.htm), i couldn't find a price for an american.  I am wondering if because I am american I can't even take the course (which would seem preposterous to me).

Since I have a BA but it is in Music (from the University of maryland) and I don't have a lot of business courses under my belt, my basic plan of study is to obtain that professional certificate in accounting, and then move on from there to CIMA or ACCA, once I have the relevant coursework taken care of. 

My question pertained more to my eligibility to take courses at the open U.  I am not sure if I mentioned before but I have been granted a 2-year settlement visa (which of course will lead to ILR or citizenship if granted)...

Thank you again for all of your help!

Likely you will not be eligible for home fees rates:
http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/information_sheets.php#tuition_fees
http://www3.open.ac.uk/contact/questions.aspx?t=S&cat=1-1GSQZC

The professionally recognised course is the Association of Accounting Technicians Bookkeeping qualification which you may wish to consider: http://www.aat.org.uk/content/item2560/

I'd maybe consider doing the AAT course and either topping up with related OU degree, or looking at CIMA, ACCA or CIPFA courses.
http://www.cimaglobal.com/
http://www.accaglobal.com/
http://www.cipfa.org.uk/ 

I'd see what professional bodies recognise in relation to the BA(Hons) Business Studies with Accounting at the OU:
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/qualification/b04.htm

Certificate in Accounting (OU):
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/b680.htm

See also:
http://ww2.prospects.ac.uk/p/types_of_job/accounting_technician_job_description.jsp

Hope that helps. 

If you are on a settlement visa, you are liable for the overseas rate.

'I live in the United Kingdom am I eligible to pay the UK fee?

I live in the United Kingdom am I eligible to pay the UK fee?

You are entitled to pay the UK fee if you are "settled"* in the UK (excluding the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) on the first day of your course or module and you have been ordinarily resident in the UK (excluding Channel islands and Isle of Man) for the 3 years prior to the course/module start date.

If you are temporarily and unavoidably working outside the UK for a period of less than 3 years you will still be classified as ordinarily resident in the UK and therefore eligible to pay UK fees.

If you are a member of the British Armed Forces or a UK diplomat using a BFPO address while you are resident outside of the UK you can pay UK fees during your time outside the UK. If you work for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and were appointed to your post whilst resident within the UK and are currently working abroad and using a BFPO address then you will also be eligible to pay the UK fees if you have not been resident outside the UK for more than 3 years.

If you are ordinarily resident in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man then you are not eligible to pay UK fees.

If you are not sure if you are eligible to pay the UK fee, please contact us on 0845 300 60 90 before registering. We will discuss your circumstances with you and confirm which fee you will need to pay. [emphasis mine]

*Normally and lawfully resided in the UK from choice without any immigration restriction on the length of your stay in the UK.

from the link I already provided you:
http://www3.open.ac.uk/contact/questions.aspx?t=S&cat=1-1GSQZC

I already actually visited that rate; my issue was that they don't list a rate for the USA at all; only europe.  And it is not listed as an 'agreed overseas country'.  At the end of the day though, do you think they would refuse potential revenue?

I looked around for fees to be listed and had no luck either. I think in the end it will probably be faster for you to give them a call and ask to be directed to the correct info (or sent the correct info.)

Yeah, will do that tomorrow:-)
Thank you.

Side note, does anyone understand the concept behind 0845 numbers? "call us and pay us to answer your questions, and oh yeah, we are gonna put you on hold for five minutes before we get to you."

Side note, does anyone understand the concept behind 0845 numbers? "call us and pay us to answer your questions, and oh yeah, we are gonna put you on hold for five minutes before we get to you."

Use this site to find landline numbers. Don't forget to help others by putting landline numbers or freephone numbers, you find.
http://www.saynoto0870.co.uk/

Use this site to find landline numbers. Don't forget to help others by putting landline numbers or freephone numbers, you find.
http://www.saynoto0870.co.uk/

And... the rep goes up.  THANKS FOR THAT! BIG TIME HELP

You are a non EU national and you are subject to immigration control if you are on a settlement visa, which means you are liable for overseas rates. This is outlined here:

Likely you will not be eligible for home fees rates:
http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/information_sheets.php#tuition_fees
http://www3.open.ac.uk/contact/questions.aspx?t=S&cat=1-1GSQZC

For other distance accounting programmes, you may wish to consider:

University of London Diploma for Graduates in Accounting, BSc Accounting and Finance or BSc Accounting with Law:
http://www.londoninternational.ac.uk/prospective_students/listing/index.shtml

Distance postgraduate accounting courses:
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/search_courses_results?filter=type_of_study%2FCourse&filter=subject%2F2055&filter=m%2FDL&keyword=accounting

Accountancy undergraduate courses for people paying international student fees:
http://search.ucas.com/cgi-bin/hsrun/search/search/StateId/QUWJ3oi5JPqFNr75uqoTMB_wTJzR3-366f/HAHTpage/search.HsKeywordSuggestion.whereNext?query=3&word=ACCOUNTANCY&single=N

A distance degree for a BA (Hons) Business Management (Finance) from the University of East London:
http://www.uel.ac.uk/business/programmes/undergraduate/bus-finance-ics.htm

Here are the BT Tariffs for 0845 numbers:
http://www.productsandservices.bt.com/consumer/consumerProducts/pdf/UKInternationalprices.pdf

You could email the OU for free to clarify your query:
http://www3.open.ac.uk/contact/contactus.aspx?cid=192

HTH.  

thanks, i plan on doing what i can today so i can call the necessary parties tomorrow.

Side question, how well received is a certificate from the Open University by employers, meaning, will they look at it and say "well since he went to Open U and not a more-recognized U, we will hold this against him".  I am well aware it's not oxford or cambridge, but does it get dismissed because it is easy to register for classes at and is easier?

Just trying to cover all bases.

With accountancy, the professional courses offered through the AAT, CIMA, ACCA or CIPFA are probably your better bet. You may want to look at the professional body websites to see where the degree courses are linked in and recognised by the bodies themselves? Where are you living? I could point you to your local uni courses. You'd still have to pay international student fees

The Open University is generally excellent in terms of how it is organised, student satisfaction and flexibility. Generally employers view OU students well, IME, as it showsbeing able to balance many areas of life.

But with a professional course such as accountancy, I'd go for AAT, CIMA, ACCA or CIPFA recognised courses. The OU would be better for a general business degree, IMO.