Managing my money for young adults

Whether you’ve recently left school or are still studying, about to start on an apprenticeship or thinking about university, this course is for you.

This free course, Managing my money for young adults, covers everything you need to know to get you started on the new and exciting financial journey that lies ahead. It offers practical tips on what to start doing now and to continue doing as you progress on your chosen path. You can check your learning with the end-of-session quizzes and gain a badge so that you can share your achievement.

Video interviews feature money experts, including Martin Lewis of Money Saving Expert. Plus there are real-life case studies featuring current students (both at school and university) and recent graduates who reflect on their experiences of living away from home for the first time while studying.

It even features a bespoke app which will help you to budget more easily and effectively, and step-by-step animations to guide you through tricky financial processes.

To get you started, watch the following video in which University Challenge contestant, maths teacher and radio presenter Bobby Seagull introduces the course. Bobby will feature throughout the course and help you to navigate the sessions and their resources.

Enrolling on the course will give you the opportunity to earn an Open University digital badge. Badges are not accredited by The Open University but they're a great way to demonstrate your interest in the subject and commitment to your career, and to provide evidence of continuing professional development.

Once you are signed in, you can manage your digital badges online from My OpenLearn. In addition, you can download and print your OpenLearn statement of participation - which also displays your Open University badge.

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• budget effectively, taking into account changes such as getting older and leaving the family home
• understand how to choose and manage bank and savings accounts
• understand how to finance further and higher education studies
• borrow sensibly and manage debts effectively
• plan ahead to make life's goals financially achievable.

Course content

• Introduction and guidance
• Session 1: You and your money
• Session 2: Earning money, understanding tax
• Session 3: Being a savvy shopper and building a budget
• Session 4: Preparing for life after school
• Session 5: Living in shared households
• Session 6: Understanding debts and how to borrow wisely
• Session 7: A good credit rating and how to keep it
• Session 8: Planning now for later in life – buying a home and planning your pension

Welcome to this free course, Managing my money for young adults.

The course is made up of eight sessions, with approximately three hours of study in each. It is suggested that you do one session per week, but you can work through the course at your own pace, so if you have more time one week there is no problem with pushing on to complete another session.

The eight sessions cover the following:

1. You and your money
2. Earning money, understanding tax
3. Being a savvy shopper and building a budget
4. Preparing for life after school
5. Living in shared households
6. Understanding debt and how to borrow wisely
7. A good credit rating and how to keep it
8. Planning now for later in life – buying a home and planning your pension.

At certain times, the course author Martin Upton will be on hand to discuss the course contents with you in the course forum. Here you will also be able to chat with other learners on the course. The next time for discussion is: 13 November 2017.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• budget effectively, taking into account changes such as getting older and leaving the family home
• understand how to choose and manage bank and savings accounts
• understand how to finance further and higher education studies
• borrow sensibly and manage debts effectively
• plan ahead to make life’s goals financially achievable.

Certificate of completion

Digital certificate - Included