Frequently asked Questions

Want to know more about The Arab Open University?



What's the Arab Open University all about?
As the name indicates, it is an open university, open to all who desire to have higher education, which we provide with high standard.

What's in it for me – and when will I find time?
Everyone gets something different from the AOU… for some it’s a realization of their dreams, a sense of achievement, greater self-confidence or better job prospects.

How does studying work – will I be alone?          
At AOU, you are never alone with us. Each of our student is provided with a tutor or study advisor to guide you throughout your studies.

Where do I start?
Our studies are flexible so that you can take it up side by side to your work or family life.

Is AOU degree a real degree?
As our institution is doubly accredited, both by the local and the UK's Open University, your degrees are also validated by both.

What is different about the AOU?
The AOU model of open learning is essentially a form of blended learning which involves both self-study by students and a compulsory face-to-face tuition component comprising 25% of student study hours. It is based on high quality learning materials, which are licensed from the UK Open University.

Click:         http://www.aou.edu.kw

The tutorial sessions are held, weekly or biweekly depending upon the course you register in .  We provide everything you need to succeed. High quality course materials are supplemented by the support of a tutor or study advisor.

Can anyone study with the AOU?
AOU admission policy requires that a student possess a general secondary school certificate, or the equivalent thereof, as approved by the concerned Ministry of Education.  Students are admitted to selected programmes of study, based largely on their personal choice.
People of all abilities and from all walks of life enjoy learning with us.  Some are returning to study after bringing up a family, some left school just right after completing the higher secondary are making up for missed opportunities; others are looking to enhance their careers or study purely for pleasure.  Many younger students are choosing the AOU so  they can study for a degree in their spare time, but our courses appeal to people of all ages and backgrounds.

Fact:


What's in it for me – and when will I find time? What will I get out of AOU study?
Studying is always challenging but at the same time fulfilling too. Studying at AOU can  increase your  confidence and self-esteem.  It can enhance your career  by the quality and relevance of the qualification that you achieve.

What will I get out of AOU study?
Some people come to  AOU to improve or change their career, and some people study for the sheer pleasure of learning. If you're looking to enhance your career you'll find that employers will be impressed, both by the commitment and flexibility you demonstrate by studying while you work and by the quality and relevance of the qualification you achieve.

How will I find time?
Each AOU course has a start and end date, and the deadlines to submit your assignments. Some have an end-of-course exam. Our courses have either weekly or biweekly tutorials which has been arranged in a way that it would  be convenient for you to attend.

For some people this flexibility means the chance to combine studying with family demands. For others, it's simply the satisfaction of flexing their mind in the comfort of their own home. For many, it means not having to choose between earning and learning. With the AOU you can do both.

Click:         http://www.aou.edu.kw

What can I study?
The AOU offers several educational programmes,  which means you're bound to find one that appeals to you. Studies start twice a year. The AOU Kuwait Branch has currently five faculties, General Studies, Education, Language Studies,  Business Administration and Information Technology and Computing delivering the following qualifications.




How does studying work – will I be alone? Will I be studying alone?
No, you won't be alone. We offer help all the way. Throughout your studies, you will be supported by our highly qualified tutors. You will receive high quality course materials supported by first-rate teaching from experts who are focused on your success. Depending upon the course, weekly or biweekly tutorials are arranged wherein you will get the chance to interact with your tutors as well as your fellow students. In addition the office hours provide you the chance to interact with your tutor.

Arab Open University is a technology-driven institution. Through our Learning Management System (LMS) you could get your tutors assistance online. Through our LMS you could join the forum, post your  queries and in fact learning, interacting and communication are made much more easier and you will never feel the distance of the distance learning.

Before you start:
Our trained staff will explain how to register and other details of the course registration during the student advisement period which is provided twice a year .
Our trained advisors can help you to decide which AOU course is right for you.

When you become a student:
You will be supported by our student affairs office. They are there to answer all your queries.
You'll be allocated with a tutor or study advisor to support you.
For disabled students special services and facilities are provided.

During your studies:
You’ll be part of a study group supported by a tutor or study advisor who’ll give you guidance and feedback on your assignments.
Your course will include tutorials. You can interact with your fellow students in the classroom, as your course includes tutorials either weekly or biweekly.
You can contact with your study group through the online forums.

When your course ends
Depending upon the course you complete, you will be awarded with Certificates, Diplomas or the Degrees. Bachelor Degrees for some of our programs are also awarded an equivalent bachelor degree by the UKOU in addition to the degrees awarded by the AOU.

The AOU careers service center offers our students, advise and guidance.

Where do I start? How do I find my way to study?
Register to the programme of study. The minimum load of a regular student is three (3) credit hours and the maximum is eighteen (18) credit hours per semester. Each course you take earns you credit hours.  Our courses have either weekly or biweekly tutorials which has been arranged in a way that you  would  find it  convenient.

What if my study skills are rusty?
Our preparatory courses are an ideal way to ease yourself back into learning. It gives you the chance to try AOU study and build your confidence. The AOU administers language placement tests, in both Arabic and English, not as requirement for admission, but as indicators to help us to place you at the appropriate level of the chosen programme.

How can I start working towards a degree?
Register  to the programme of your choice.  Courses are planned and placed according to the difficulty levels.  Each level of courses gives you the knowledge, skills and confidence to move on to the next level.

By the time you complete your first level of courses, we are sure you will be very confident and would find it easy and prepared yourself to move on to the next level.

Click:         http://www.aou.edu.kw

Is  AOU degree a real degree? Is the AOU a real university offering real qualifications?
Yes. The AOU is accredited by the international accreditation agency, the Open University Validation Services (OUVS), UK, in addition to Kuwait’s Council for Private Education. In collaboration with the United Kingdom’s Open University (UKOU), the Arab Open University offers programs of study based on the stage of Open Education. 

Unlike OU open education, AOU has the added face to face tutorials. Except the Education Programme, the successful students of the AOU will be awarded an equivalent bachelor degree by the UKOU, in addition to the degrees awarded by the AOU. 

How long does it take?
Most of our undergraduate programmes comprises approximately 128-130 credit hours which can be completed over a four year time of full time study.  The maximum period of study is twenty four (24) semesters, which is equivalent to twelve (12) years.

I have studied before, will that count towards my degree?
Depends on what you have studied and what kind of qualification you have. The general requirement for admission is the high school certificate of any stream. Some of our programmes like the BA qualifying program under the education program, is designed to raise the qualification of holders of community college diplomas to  BA degree in Education.

Can I take my degree further?
Yes. With the AOU undergraduate degree, like any other University’s undergraduate degrees, you can pursue your studies.

What if I need a qualification for my job?
We offer a wide range of programmes covering different professional fields like Business, Education, English Language and Literature and Information Technology and Computers. With the extended flexibility of study at AOU, we are sure you will find one suitable to your interest.

What type of degree can I get?
You can work towards a named degree—for example BA (Joint Hons) in English Language and Literature with Business Studies. For more details please refer to page no. 2 where in the degrees offered under different programmes are listed.

How many credits do I need?
Kindly refer to the following programs:


What do our students have to say?


I can’t afford it can I? How much does it cost?
The Arab Open University is a non-profit university and aims to keep its fee levels as low as possible consistent with the need to offer a high quality learning experience for its students. The fees collected from the students are used for operational purposes only and not to create profit. The cost depends on the programme and the course you register .

                      Courses                                      Fee (US$)

What’s included in the course fee?
The course fee does not include the course materials. A separate student fee is levied for the student learning pack which contains the necessary learning materials for successful study of your chosen course like:


Can I get financial help?
Scholarships are available for the needy. For more details please consult the branch or the University website.

What do I need to do next?
Visit:                Arab Open University—Kuwait Branch
                        Block 2, AlSharhabeel Street
                        Khaitan, Kuwait

Write to:           Arab Open University-Kuwait Branch
                        P.O. Box 395
                        32004—AlJabria
                        State of Kuwait

Call:                 00965 2 4767291
Fax:                 00965 2 4767486


Click:               http://www.aou.edu.kw


Headquarters:                        
                       Arab Open University—Headquarters
                       P.O. Box 3322 Safat 13033
                       State of Kuwait

Call:                00965 25329013/8
Fax:                00965 25321318

Click:              http://www.arabou.org


Address of the University’s Other  Branches:

Lebanon Branch        
                       Omar Bayham Street, Al-Hursh  Area
                       20584518, Beirut, Lebanon
                       Tel.: 00961 1392145
                       Fax: 00961 1392145

Saudi Arabia Branch        
                       Al-Riyadh, Al-Falah District
                       Opposite Imam Mohamad Bin
                       Saud University, Opp. Gate No. 2,
                       Southern Part, P.O. Box 84901
                       Riyadh 11681
                       Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
                       Tel.: 00966 12742277        
                       Fax: 00966 12742696

Jordan Branch                
                       Amman, Bldg. No. 44, Omar Bin
                       Abdulaziz ST., Al-Rabia
                       P.O. Box 1339, Amman 11953
                       Amman, Jordan
                       Tel.: 009626 551481/3
                       Fax: 009626 5530813

Bahrain Branch        
                       Bahrain, Al-Haram Plaza, Al-Salah St.
                       Kingdom of Bahrain
                       P.O.Box 18211, Manama, Bahrain
                       Tel.: 0097317 407088/407077
                       Fax: 00202 6711868

Egypt Branch                
                       Cairo, Arab Council for Childhood and
                       Development Bldg., Intersection of Makram
                       Ebeid St. and Abd Al-Razeq Al-Sanhoury St.
                       Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt
                       Tel.: 00202 6711870/67
                       Fax: 00202 6711868

Oman Branch                
                       Muscat, Oman
                       P.O. Box 1596, Code 130
                       Tel.: 00968 24699444
                       Fax: 00968 24699669

Is the AOU accredited?
Yes. The AOU as a whole is accredited by the international accreditation agency, the Open University Validation Services (OUVS). Saudi Arabia branch has another level of accreditation from the Kuwait Ministry of Higher Education and the National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment. This accreditation includes all AOU regional centers in the Kuwait. They are all equally accredited.

How can I apply for admission?
Now you can apply for admission in any of the AOU programs using the online form. All you need to do is to fill the online admission from then submit a copy of your identification documents, copy of your high school diploma, and two passport-size photos to the nearest AOU center. Alternatively.

What are the admission requirements?
High school certificate of any stream.

I have a diploma and I want to continue, what should I do?
You can apply for credit exemption of up to 14 credit hours. Also, there are 12 language credits which you can pass by two language tests; one for Arabic and one for English. To apply for credit exemption, submit your diploma and transcripts to the Admission and Registration Office. It takes 6 to 8 weeks for the course to be discussed and approved by the committee. Then you will see the exempted courses on your transcript.

I am a student and I want to register for courses, what shall I do?
Registration is now online and you can register from home or place of work. Login and go to the Registration tab on the SIS . There you will see offered courses and the system will help you select the correct courses to register. In case you have problems, send your cases to ASK@aou.edu.kw

Okay I registered courses, where can I see the course materials?
Once you are registered you will be able to access all of your course materials online on the Learning management System (LMS). Your username is the same and your student ID. If you forgot your password, then use the service that will send your password to the email address we have in your profile. If this doesn't work, then we need to update your profile. Send us an email to ASK@aou.edu.kw with information that proves your identity such as copy of you ID card. Sometimes we may not be able to verify your identity and hence we require you present your ID to one of our staff in the nearest AOU center.

How can I submit a TMA and how can I learn deadlines?
The Learning management System(LMS) has this information. Just login and visit the courses pages in the LMS. Look for "Assignments" link and see the deadlines and the upload boxes where you van upload you TMAs.

What is plagiarism and how can I avoid it?
We urge you to read this document that helps you understand the consequences of plagiarism in the AOU. Many thank for Jordan branch for compiling this document.

How can I withdraw a course or postpone an exam? (Show Answer)
Application for W or IC is now online. You may apply from the Grades tab on the SIS. Select Appeal and fill the application form. You have to present your excuses in the application and send your supporting documents by email to ASK@aou.edu.kw

I want o move to anther branch within the KWB, what shall I do?
You can contact the Student Affairs Department.

I changed branch within the Kingdom in the past and I have two IDs,  what shall I do?
Send your IDs to ASK@aou.edu.kw or try to contact the student affairs department.

I want to move out of KWB branches, what shall I do?
You can contact with the Student Affairs department.

I want to move to one of KWB centers, what shall I do?
Bring your approved application from the old branch to the Registrars Office, fill an online admission from, and finally send your IDs (old and new) to ASK@aou.edu.kw so we enter your transcript to the SIS.

I have problems with my grades, who shall I talk to?
The first person you should talk to is your tutor who taught you. If he/she is not accessible, then talk to the program coordinator (you wil find their numbers in the website). If none of this work visit the Student Support and explain your case in clear and concise manner. One of our staff will reply to you with 3 working days.

I already submitted a case, how can I follow it up?
Once you submit a case to Student Support you will hear from one of our staff with 3 working days. If no answer comes, then contact the Registrar Ofice at ASK@aou.edu.kw

I am graduating at the end of this semester, is there anything I should  do so I get my degrees on time?
Yes, we need to double-check and update your profile. Send a copy of your passport, high school certificate, the filled graduation form by email to ASK@aou.edu.kw  Particularly, we need to update your name in both English and Arabic alphabet, birth date and place, email, mobile, and national ID or Iqama number, and high school stream (scientific, literature, etc).

I missed an exam and I have an approved online "IC" application, when is the make-up exam?
Attend the test with the coming group and write on the exam paper that you are attending the exam for the make up. Also write the semester you too the course

Can I take exams in a different branch or regional center than the one I am registered in?
No problem. Attend the exams and write on the exam paper that you are registering in a different branch. Also, inform the exam coordinator at the exam time and write to ASK@aou.edu.kw  so they keep a note.

How can I see my grades?
Login to the SIS then go to Grades --> Transcript. If you want to see your grades details, then you can do so through the LMS.

What is meant by the letter grades "I", "P", and "IC"?
The letter grades "I" and "P" mean the course is still in progress. This is used for part1 of 2-part courses. The grade "IC" means incomplete which is usually given when you apply for incomplete and you get your application approved.
Is it possible that 2 students with different totals get the same letter     grade?
In some cases yes. The letter grades are calculated based on the performance of the group you took the course with. Every course has an external examiner in the headquarters, who decides the scale of the letter grades for every branch and regional center. So the scale for a given course in a given semester varies per regional center.

Am I allowed to appeal for grades?
You can appeal the mark of TMA or CMA within one week of announcing said mark after which the mark is considered final. Appeals must go through the system: made to the Tutor, and validated by the Staff Tutor. After the final grades are announced, students cannot appeal their grades.

How can I send a complaint?
You may send your complaints through the Student Support Unit.
A staff member will be in contact with you in less than 72 hours.

How many branches do you have and where are they?
Currently we have 7 branches in Kuwait, Soudi Arabia, Bahrain, Lebanon, Jordon, Satant Oman.

What are telephone numbers for whole departments in Kuwait Branch?
The contact information for our regional centers is given in this page.

How much does it cost to study at AOU?
The cost depends on the number of credit hours your register per semester. Generally, the cost ranges from 350 to 550 KD per semester, he course fee depends on the program and the course you register in: In general the course fee per credit hours for the courses under different programmes is as follows: Information Technology and Computing Courses 75 US$, Business Administration Courses 75 US$, English Language and Literature Courses 70 US$, Education Courses 60 US$ and for the General Requirment Courses 55 US$.