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Taxation

Gain an introduction to key taxation topics and develop your knowledge of tax planning and compliance techniques so you can support businesses in making key financial decisions. As well as covering technical skills required by the professional bodies, this module takes a balanced approach and will introduce you to academic literature and critical thinking, so you'll benefit from a well-rounded experience. In addition to decision-making skills, you’ll develop more general skills such as analytical thinking, information/data preparation, and communication.

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

B353

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
3 10 6

Study method

Module cost

Entry requirements

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What you will study

The module covers UK taxation as it applies in England and Wales.

Unit 1: Income tax – basics
This first unit introduces you to income tax – the tax individuals pay on their personal income. It will explain the various schedules under which taxable income is classified. The focus will be on income tax related to earnings, such as income from employment or investment.

Unit 2: Income tax – self-employment
The exploration of tax on the individual continues by focusing on how income related to self-employment is taxed. This will look at starting and ending such employment as well as any allowances that are available to the self-employed.

Unit 3: Capital gains tax
This unit examines how profits from the disposal of capital assets are taxed. It explores which transactions are affected and how any capital losses may be used to mitigate tax payable.

Unit 4: Ethics
The study of ethics is an important element of studying taxation. You’ll discover what is meant by the evasion of tax as opposed to the avoidance of tax. It will question how aggressive tax avoidance should be and explore potential ethical dilemmas facing tax advisors.

Unit 5: Corporation tax
The module now considers company taxation, including newly formed companies or those winding up. It explains how to calculate how much of the profits are due to be taxed and in which year, and thus which rates apply. This unit explores the use of losses by the loss-making company and within corporate groups.

Unit 6: VAT
This unit introduces you to value-added tax and describes the overall mechanism for charging and accounting for value-added tax. It will also examine a number of schemes established to help small traders and explore the various interest charges and penalties for late payment.

Unit 7: Inheritance tax
The final unit looks at the taxation on the transfer of estates. These are charges that typically arise on the estate owner's death but can also arise on the transfer of assets made during the owner’s lifetime.

Professional recognition

This module forms part of the BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance (R52), which has been granted exemptions by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) towards its CGMA qualification.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.

They’ll help by:
  • marking your assignments and offering detailed feedback to help you improve
  • providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content
  • guiding you to additional learning resources
  • facilitating online discussions between your fellow students in the dedicated module and tutor group forums.

Online tutorials run throughout the module. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate.

Assessment

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

This module includes a remote exam you will take at home or another suitable location. The exam will be invigilated online by ProctorU, a service based outside the UK, with whom you must agree to additional Terms of Service to study this module. Find out more about online invigilation.

Future availability

Taxation starts once a year – in April. This page describes the module that will start in April 2026. We expect it to start for the last time in April 2033.

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:

1 Tutor-marked assignment (TMA)
2 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs)
Examination


Entry requirements

You must have successfully completed Intermediate financial accounting (B250) and Business law (B251) before you can begin B353.

Register

Start End England fee Register
04 Apr 2026 Sep 2026 £1946.00

Registration closes 12/03/26 (places subject to availability)

Register
This module is expected to start for the last time in April 2033.

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In the meantime, explore our overview of Fees and funding.

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

You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:

  • access to a set book on taxation
  • a week-by-week study planner
  • module materials, including datasets to practice your analytical skills
  • audio and video content such as animations and screencasts
  • assignment details and submission section
  • online tutorial access

Computing requirements

  • Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer. It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
  • Peripheral devices – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials plus a webcam and microphone for the online invigilated exam.
  • Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
  • Operating systems – Windows 11 or latest supported macOS. Microsoft will no longer support Windows 10 as of 14 October 2025.
  • Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
  • Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended. Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.
  • Software – Any additional software, including any required to complete the online invigilated exam, will be provided or is generally freely available.

If you have a disability

The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying B353 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.