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Essential mathematics 1

This introductory module provides a broad and enjoyable foundation for university-level mathematics but requires some prior knowledge. It teaches you the essential ideas and techniques that underpin university-level study in mathematics and mathematical subjects such as physics, engineering and economics. You’ll study fundamental topics, including calculus, vectors, matrices and complex numbers – and use mathematical software to solve problems. You'll also develop your skills in communicating results and defining problems.

Modules count towards OU qualifications

OU qualifications are modular in structure; the credits from this undergraduate module could count towards a certificate of higher education, diploma of higher education, foundation degree or honours degree.

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Module

Module code

MST124

Credits

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
30

Study level

Across the UK, there are two parallel frameworks for higher education qualifications, the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Northern Ireland and Wales (FHEQ) and the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). These define a hierarchy of levels and describe the achievement expected at each level. The information provided shows how OU module levels correspond to these frameworks.
Level of Study
OU SCQF FHEQ
1 7 4

Study method

Distance Learning

Module cost

See Module registration

Entry requirements

See Entry requirements

Student Reviews

This module is a great introduction to more advanced math and physics. It's not too overwhelming if you've been good...
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I found this module built quite nicely on from Discovering mathematics (MU123). The beginning of it was a nice refresher...
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Module details Entry requirements Module registration Study materials

What you will study

There are eleven study units in this module.

In the first two, you’ll revise and extend the basic mathematical knowledge and skills in basic algebra and graphs that should mainly be familiar to you. This revision material should help you identify and fill any gaps in your previous knowledge, and develop your basic mathematical skills to the level that you’ll need in the rest of the module. Much of the material in these two units will be available online, so you can make a start on your revision even before the module begins, if you wish. The first two units also teach you about communicating mathematics, and introduce you to the mathematical software that you’ll use in the module.

In the remaining study units you’ll cover these topics:

  • Functions: these provide a means of representing situations where one quantity depends on another. For example, the distance travelled by a car depends on the time that it has been travelling. You need to know about functions before you can study calculus.
  • Trigonometry: you’ll revise the relationships between the angles and side lengths of triangles, and the definitions of the trigonometric functions sine, cosine and tangent for angles of any size. You’ll learn many useful properties of these functions, which are used to model a wide range of cyclical phenomena, such as rotating objects, and waves.
  • Vectors: these are quantities that have both a size and a direction. You’ll learn about the mathematics of vectors, and how to use them to model a variety of physical quantities, such as speed in a particular direction.
  • Calculus: this is one of the most important and widely applicable topics in mathematics. It is concerned with quantities that change continuously, such as the distance travelled by, and the speed of, a moving object. You’ll be introduced to differentiation and integration, and learn how to use calculus to model a range of different situations and to solve problems from areas such as physics and economics.
  • Matrices: these are arrays of numbers, which can be manipulated mathematically in various ways. They’re used extensively in both pure mathematics and mathematical applications.
  • Sequences: you’ll learn how to work with some commonly occurring types of number sequences, such as those in which each number is obtained by multiplying the previous number by a constant.
  • Complex numbers: these form an intriguing set of numbers that includes all the usual numbers, and also many `imaginary’ numbers, such as the square root of minus one. They have many uses in applied mathematics, as well as being the basis of some fascinating pure mathematics.

You’ll work mainly from the module books, which are available in various electronic formats as well as in print. You can view many of the worked examples in the books in an alternative video format, in which tutors work through and discuss the examples. You’ll also use specially designed software applications to help you understand the concepts taught, and you’ll learn to use a mathematics computer package to solve problems. There are many online interactive practice questions to help you consolidate your learning.

You can find the full content list on the Open mathematics and statistics website.

You will learn

Successful study of this module should begin to develop your skills in:

  • expressing problems in mathematical language
  • using mathematical techniques to find solutions to problems
  • communicating mathematical ideas clearly and succinctly.

Essential mathematics 1 is designed to be taken either as your first university-level mathematics module or following on from Discovering mathematics (MU123).

Essential mathematics 2 (MST125) is designed to follow on from Essential mathematics 1. Normally, you should have completed this module first. However, if you have plenty of study time and a high level of confidence and fluency with algebraic manipulation you could study both modules in one year.

Alternatively, if you are considering progressing to Mathematical methods (MST224), normally you should have also completed this module.

Professional recognition

This module may help you to gain membership of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA). For further information, see the IMA website.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

Throughout your module studies, you’ll get help and support from your assigned module tutor. They’ll help you by:

  • Marking your assignments (TMAs) and providing detailed feedback for you to improve.
  • Guiding you to additional learning resources.
  • Providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content.
  • Facilitating online discussions between your fellow students, in the dedicated module and tutor group forums.

Module tutors also run online tutorials throughout the module. Where possible, recordings of online tutorials will be made available to students. While these tutorials won’t be compulsory for you to complete the module, you’re strongly encouraged to take part.

Assessment

The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box.

Future availability

Essential mathematics 1 (MST124) starts twice a year – in January/February and October.

This page describes the module that will start in October 2024 and February 2025.

We expect it to start for the last time in October 2029.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.

Course work includes:

4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
4 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs)
Examination


Entry requirements

There is no formal pre-requisite study, but you must have the required mathematical skills.

You can check you’re ready for MST124 and see the topics it covers here.

You can find out which module is your best starting point in mathematics here.

Talk to an advisor if you’re not sure you’re ready.

Preparatory work

You should aim to be confident and fluent with the concepts covered in the Are you ready? quiz here, and follow the advice in the quiz.

The key topics to revise include:

  • algebraic manipulation and solving equations
  • quadratics and parabolas
  • geometry and trigonometry
  • exponentials and logarithms.

Discovering mathematics (MU123) is ideal preparation.

Register

Start End England fee Register
01 Feb 2025 Sep 2025 £1818.00

Registration closes 09/01/25 (places subject to availability)

Register
This module is expected to start for the last time in October 2029.

Additional Costs

Study costs

There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.

If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.

Ways to pay for this module

Open University Student Budget Account

The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd (OUSBA) offers a convenient 'pay as you go' option to pay your OU fees, which is a secure, quick and easy way to pay. Please note that The Open University works exclusively with OUSBA and is not able to offer you credit facilities from any other provider. All credit is subject to status and proof that you can afford the repayments.

You pay the OU through OUSBA in one of the following ways:

  • Register now, pay later – OUSBA pays your module fee direct to the OU. You then repay OUSBA interest-free and in full just before your module starts. 0% APR representative. This option could give you the extra time you may need to secure the funding to repay OUSBA.
  • Pay by instalments – OUSBA calculates your monthly fee and number of instalments based on the cost of the module you are studying. APR 5.1% representative.

Joint loan applications

If you feel you would be unable to obtain an OUSBA loan on your own due to credit history or affordability issues, OUSBA offers the option to apply for a joint loan application with a third party. For example, your husband, wife, partner, parent, sibling or friend. In such cases, OUSBA will be required to carry out additional affordability checks separately and/or collectively for both joint applicants who will be jointly and severally liable for loan repayments.

As additional affordability checks are required when processing joint loan applications, unfortunately, an instant decision cannot be given. On average the processing time for a joint loan application is five working days from receipt of the required documentation.

Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).

Employer sponsorship

Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.

More than one in ten OU students are sponsored by their employer, and over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees. 

  • Your employer just needs to complete a simple form to confirm how much they will be paying and we will invoice them.
  • You won’t need to get your employer to complete the form until after you’ve chosen your module.  

Credit/debit card

You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module. 

We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron. 

Mixed payments

We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).


Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2025. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.

This information was provided on 22/12/2024.

Can you study an Access module for free?

Depending on eligibility and availability of places, you could apply to study your Access module for free.

To qualify, you must:

  1. be resident in England
  2. have a household income of not more than £25,000 (or be in receipt of a qualifying benefit)
  3. have not completed one year or more on any full-time undergraduate programme at FHEQ level 4 or above or successfully completed 30 credits or more of OU study within the last 10 years

How to apply to study an Access module for free

Once you've started the registration process, either online or over the phone, we'll contact you about your payment options. This will include instructions on how you can apply to study for free if you are eligible and funded places are still available.

If you're unsure if you meet the criteria to study for free, you can check with one of our friendly advisers on +44 (0)300 303 0069, or you can request a call back.

Not eligible to study for free?

Don't worry! We offer a choice of flexible ways to help spread the cost of your Access module. The most popular options include:

  • monthly payments through OUSBA
  • part-time tuition fee loan (you'll need to be registered on a qualification for this option)

To explore all the options available to you, visit Fees and Funding.

What's included

Module books and website, including access to computer applications and to optional online tutorials.

You will need

We recommend a basic scientific Casio calculator such as the fx-83 or fx-85 range.

Note that the only type of calculator permitted in the final examination is a scientific calculator that does not offer algebraic manipulation, differentiation or integration, language translation or communication with other devices or with the internet. It should also not be programmable, and not have any retrievable information (such as databanks, dictionaries, mathematical formulas or text) stored in it.

Computing requirements

You’ll need broadband internet access and a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of Windows (10 or 11) or macOS Ventura or higher.

Any additional software will be provided or is generally freely available.

To join in spoken conversations in tutorials, we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).

Our module websites comply with web standards, and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.

Our OU Study mobile app will operate on all current, supported versions of Android and iOS. It’s not available on Kindle.

It’s also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook. However, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you’ll also require a desktop or laptop, as described above.

If you have a disability

The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying MST124 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.

To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our disability support pages.