General
Why are some programmes only available for training and education purposes?
How do I buy co-published books?
Why doesn't the Open University sell the books from its own site?
How do I find the item(s) I am looking for?
What browser has this website been designed for?
How secure is my personal information?
Can I send my payment details by email?
How will my goods be delivered to me?
Is there anywhere that I can go and view the material before deciding whether I want to purchase it?
If I purchase an item from Open University Worldwide Ltd and it is not what I want can I have my money back?
I would prefer not to buy online, what should I do?
Video
In what format are the videos available?
Software
How do I know if the software will work on my computer?
I have a problem with my Open University software, where can I get help?
What format is the software available in?
Can software be copied?
Can I buy a software multi-user site licence for my organisation?
Can I use the software outside my institution, for example when I am on a lecturing tour?
Study Packs
What is a study pack?
Will I gain any credits that I can put towards a degree?
If I purchase a Language Study pack and then register on the corresponding Open University language course, do I get a refund?
Do you have anything to ask us?
We hope you find the answers to most of your questions here. If not, please telephone our Customer Services Department Tel: +44 (0) 1908 858793 or email ouw-customer-services@open.ac.uk and a member of staff will be pleased to help you.
General
Why are some programmes only available for training and education purposes?
Open University programmes have a wide variety of content. Much of this material is original and created by The Open University, but generally its programmes also contain material from non Open University sources. When securing permission from these sources to include their material in its programmes The Open University has to decide whether to pay for a licence to distribute the material to the training and educational market or to a wider retail one. If the cost of purchasing licences for the retail market is not financially viable it has to limit its availability to the training and educational market.
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How do I buy co-published books?
If the book you have selected is an Open University co-published title, you can buy it on-line from Eddington Hook, who are suppliers of academic books. We link directly to the site so by simply pressing the link button 'To buy from supplier' which replaces our own shopping basket icon, you will leave OU Webshop to enter Eddington Hook's website at the relevant place to buy your book from them.
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Why doesn't the Open University sell the books from its own site?
When any of the Open University books are co-published it is then the responsibility of the other publisher to take over the role of selling the book for profit, the OU will only use their stock for OU students. All commercial sales of these books, therefore, need to go through a 3rd party so they can be purchased directly from the other publisher.
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How do I find the item(s) I am looking for?
To find the item(s) you require you can search by the broad subject categories in the Browse Subjects list, or use the keyword Product Search.
If you wish, you can narrow down your keyword search further by choosing the media type you require (e.g. 'software' or 'study pack').
If you know the order code or ISBN number of the product you are looking for, you can type this in the keyword search and go straight to the item you require.
If you would like to see all the available materials from an Open University course, simply type the course code in the keyword search box.
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What browser has this website been designed for?
If you are experiencing problems or have any comments please email customer services ouw-customer-services@open.ac.uk.
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How secure is my personal information?
We employ a two stage security process for the details you supply to us including your name, address and credit/debit card details. Firstly we use SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), an industry standard system for transferring data securely over the internet. Secondly we store your details in an encrypted format with only authorised personnel able to read them.
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Can I send my payment details by email?
Never send any credit/debit card information by email, either to this site or any other. Emails are very insecure, not encrypted and they can easily be intercepted and read.
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How will my goods be delivered to me?
Your goods will be delivered to you either by second class post, by parcel post or by courier, depending on the weight. You may receive your goods in instalments, depending on the availability of the items of you have ordered.
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Is there anywhere that I can go and view the material before deciding whether I want to purchase it?
Yes, you can view the material at your nearest Regional Centre. You will need to telephone the Centre first to make an appointment. Visit the Open University Addresses webpage (http://www3.open.ac.uk/contact/all.aspx) for further details.
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If I purchase an item from Open University Worldwide Ltd and it is not what I want can I have my money back?
Please see our Terms and Conditions or telephone +44 (0)1908 858785 for details of our 14 day money back guarantee.
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I would prefer not to buy online, what should I do?
Please telephone our Customer Services department on +44 (0)1908 858785 and they will be able to help you.
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Video
In what format are the videos available?
The prices on this website are for VHS/PAL format videos. Some other formats are available at an additional cost. Please contact a member of our Customer Services department by email ouw-customer-services@open.ac.uk for details.
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Software
How do I know if the software will work on my computer?
The Open University’s computer specification is as follows:
Pentium 700MHz processor, 128 MB memory (RAM), Windows 98 SE, 32x CD-ROM drive. All computers have certain common items, which should be compatible with the general standard of the computer, they include: Colour monitor capable of displaying 800x600 resolution and “High Color” with appropriate video card to support this, hard disc drive with at least 20GB, pointing device (mouse, trackball, pen/pad, voice-activated), keyboard, 56kbps (V90 or V92) or broadband modem, sound card or onboard sound, microphone (some courses only) & speakers/headphones.
More information may be available in the individual product description on this website. Please contact a member of our Customer Services department on +44 (0) 1908 858785 or ouw-customer-services@open.ac.uk if you require further details.
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I have a problem with my Open University software, where can I get help?
Please visit our software support website.
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What format is the software available in?
Software is supplied on either 3.5" floppy disk or on CD-ROM. The format of each piece of software is indicated in the software description.
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Can software be copied?
Open University software can only be copied if a multi-user licence has been purchased. Please contact a member of our Customer Services department on +44 (0) 1908 858785 or ouw-customer-services@open.ac.uk if you require details.
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Can I buy a software multi-user site licence for my organisation?
Multi-user licences are available for most of our software programs on floppy disc. We do not offer multi-user licences for our software programs on CD-ROM. Instead, we offer a multiple copy discount. For further information about multi-user licences and multiple copy discounts please contact Customer Services ouw-customer-services@open.ac.uk tel: +44 (0) 1908 858785.
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Can I use the software outside my institution, for example when I am on a lecturing tour?
No. The software can only be used on the licensed site.
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Study Packs
What is a study pack?
Study packs are multimedia resource packs on a wide variety of topics. A typical study pack might include a printed study guide and an audio CD or CD-ROM.
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Will I gain any credits that I can put towards a degree?
Study Packs do not gain credits towards an Open University Degree, they are purely for your own interest.
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If I purchase a Language Study pack and then register on the corresponding Open University language course, do I get a refund?
No.
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