Open University Routes

Route studies, also called routes, are predefined parts of degree programmes that you can complete at Open University. You can complete studies at Open University and use these studies to apply for a study place in a degree programme later.

The aim of the route studies is to facilitate students’ admission to a full degree programme and graduation later. However, it is not possible to complete a full degree at Open University. Open University Route studies give you an additional way to apply for a study place in a degree programme. If you are accepted to the degree programme, the route studies will be credited into your degree. Fees are usually charged for the studies (€20-30 per credit).

Currently, the Open University Route studies are available in English only in the field of technology.

• you want to complete parts of degree studies before applying to become a degree student.
• you want to apply for a study place at the university via the Open University route in addition to the regular joint application for higher education.
• you want to try studying at the university and see how much the field interests you.
• you want to build your personal study path.

Open University Route studies measure study ability and the student’s motivation to complete a degree. If your goal is to complete a degree, route studies provide a good alternative for achieving your goal.

Please notice that studies on the Open University Routes are conducted mainly during the day as a contact teaching. Some courses are available as remote learning.

The studies comprise a package of the degree-level studies, including mathematics, physics and information and communications technology. The route studies consist of first-year courses from the Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Science and Engineering, BSc. (Tech.). The aim is to facilitate the students’ admission to a full degree programme at a later time.

Only applications received during the application period are reviewed. No prior studies are required to study in the route.

The courses in the route must be completed during one academic year.  You are required to be able to participate in teaching full-time from Monday to Friday.

For more information on the Open University Route studies in Science and Engineering, B.Sc. Tech., please see the website.

Application period for Bachelor's route studies in the academic year 2024-2025 begins on 1 August 2024 at 10.00 (UTC+2) and ends 14 August 2024 at 23.59 (UTC+2). 

In the academic year of 2024–2025, we offer Open University Route studies only in the Bachelor’s degree programme in Science and Engineering.

After successfully completing the route studies (20 credits), you may apply for a place in the following master’s degree programmes (technology):

Computing Sciences and Electrical Engineering, Communication Systems and Networks

Computing Sciences and Electrical Engineering, Embedded Systems

Computing Sciences and Electrical Engineering, Information Security

Computing Sciences and Electrical Engineering, Signal Processing and Machine Learning

Computing Sciences and Electrical Engineering, System-on-Chip Design

If you complete the route studies within the given time and according to the requirements of the degree programme, you will be offered a study place if you apply for it via the Open University Route. Please see the link for more detailed information on the admission criteria. Read more about the Open University Route studies in Computing Sciences and Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, MSc. Tech.

After successfully completing the route studies (25 credits), you may apply for a place in the master's degree programme (technology) in Automation Engineering

If you complete the route studies within the given time and according to the requirements of the degree programme, you will be offered a study place if you apply for it via the Open University Route. Please see the link for more detailed information on the admission criteria.

Read more about the Open University Route studies in Automation Engineering, MSc. Tech.

After successfully completing the route studies (20 credits), you may apply for a place in the master’s programme in Computing Sciences and Electrical Engineering. The programme offers the following specialisations:

• Computing Sciences and Electrical Engineering, Smart Grids
• Computing Sciences and Electrical Engineering, Wireless Communications and RF Systems
• Computing Sciences and Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics and Electromechanics

If you complete the route studies within the given time and according to the requirements of the degree programme, you will be offered a study place if you apply for it via the Open University Route. Please see the link below for more detailed information on the admission criteria.

Read more about the Open University Route studies in Computing Sciences and Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, MSc. Tech.

After successfully completing the route studies (25 credits), you may apply for a study place in the master’s programme in Environmental Engineering.

If you complete the route studies within the given time and according to the requirements of the degree programme, you will be offered a study place if you apply for it via the Open University Route. Please see the link for more detailed information on the admission criteria.

Read more about the Open University Route studies in Environmental Engineering, MSc. Tech.

After successfully completing the route studies (20 credits), you may apply for a study place in the master’s degree programme in Materials Science and Engineering.

If you complete the route studies within the given time and according to the requirements of the degree programme, you will be offered a study place if you apply for it via the Open University Route. Please see the link for more detailed information on the admission criteria.

Read more about the Open University Route studies in Materials Science and Engineering, MSc. Tech.

After successfully completing the route studies (25 credits), you may apply for a study place in the master’s programme in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering. The specialisations in the programme are the following:

• Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
• Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Biomedical Micro- and Nanodevices
• Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Biomedical Informatics
• Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Medical Physics and Biomedical Instrumentation

If you complete the route studies within the given time and according to the requirements of the degree programme, you will be offered a study place if you apply for it via the Open University Route. Please see the link for more detailed information on the admission criteria.

Read more about the Open University Route studies in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, MSc. Tech.