Fixed-term contract end dates:
- 2 November 2025
- 27 February 2026
Flexible working
We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.
Work location
This role is contractually based in the Edinburgh office, but we do support hybrid working across our team. Currently, attendance in the office is required at least once a fortnight, with both the cost and travel time being the responsibility of the employee and not compensated by the University.
Please note that there will be more frequent attendance required for the initial 6-week training period as well as holiday leave being restricted during this period. Leave will also be restricted in the busy peak periods. Current peak periods are mid-August to late September, and January.
Change your career, change lives
The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education. Find out more about us and our mission by watching this short video (you will be taken to YouTube by clicking this link).
The Open University in Scotland is an integral part of the Scottish Higher Education community. Social justice and equality of opportunity are at the heart of everything the Open University does and widening access to higher education is the ambition on which it was founded.
Our Student Recruitment & Support team are looking for talented new members, whose role will be to provide student-centred information by phone, email, and webchat, so that we can continue to provide an exceptional and responsive service. We are hugely passionate about what we do and are looking for likeminded individuals, with dynamism and energy, who genuinely care about our students and their journey with us, and who can work in a fast-paced environment which is focussed on continuous improvement.
The role
We are seeking to recruit Student Recruitment & Support Advisers within the Open University in Scotland. You will be responsible for responding to enquiries about our courses, fees, and financial support, through to the administration of student’s registrations. You’ll also support students with a wide range of queries while they are on their course.
Key responsibilities
• Be the first point of contact for students and enquirers, to provide information regarding registration, funding and study support at The Open University.
• To undertake administrative and operational processes to support student and enquirer requests.
• To work to a structured rota, which can be subject to on-the-day changes.
• Use university systems and databases to maintain student and enquirer records whilst following agreed operating procedures.
• A commitment to continuous improvement, developing your own skills and knowledge to maintain and improve personal performance.
Skills and experience
• Able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Recent experience of working in a customer facing environment.
• To follow documented information and procedures, using initiative in problem-solving, whilst recognising boundaries.
• Experience of working positively and effectively with others.
• Able to receive and process information quickly and accurately.
• Good organisational skills, including the ability to cope with heavy workloads in an often-high pressure environment.
The full summary of duties and person specification can be found within the Job Description.
Support with your application
If you need support or have any questions or requests for adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process or the role, please contact our Recruitment team on 01312263851 or email scotland-recruitment@open.ac.uk, quoting the vacancy reference number.
What you get in return
We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and beyond your current role. This includes thorough induction into the organisation and regular reviews of your training and development needs.
We also offer a great range of benefits that support our employees and their families for the long term. Staff Benefits include an attractive pension proposition and 30 days holiday per annum pro rata, plus 8 Bank Holidays and 3 extra Christmas closure days.
How to apply
Unless otherwise stated in the advert, all applications are completed online. Applications submitted via 3rd party websites will not be received.
To apply for this role please submit the following document/s;
• CV
• Supporting statement, up to 750 words, you should set out in your statement why you’re interested in this role and provide examples of where your skills and experience meet the required competencies for this role as detailed in the job and person specification.
You will need to have your documents ready ahead of submitting your job application. Please click on the apply now button below to be redirected to our job application page.
Early closing date notification
We may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications.
You will receive updates regarding your application from oucareers@open.ac.uk. Please ensure this email address is added to your list of trusted senders so it does not go to your junk folder. You can view your application communications on the candidate portal.
The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.
