How Do I Submit an OU TMA Through the eTMA System?

You have finished your TMA, checked the word count and fixed the last reference. Now it has to reach your tutor. At the Open University, that happens online through the TMA submission link on StudentHome, usually called the eTMA system. The process is quick once you know it, but a wrong file, a missed receipt or a last-minute upload can cause real stress. This guide explains each step, what the deadline rules are and what to do if something goes wrong.

What is the OU eTMA system and do I have to use it?

The eTMA system is the OU’s online service for submitting tutor-marked assignments and receiving them back marked. Under the OU’s TMA and iCMA policy, TMAs must be submitted online through the link on StudentHome. Paper submission is only allowed in exceptional cases, for example where it has been agreed as a disability-related adjustment, and it has its own rules, including a PT3 form and posting well before the deadline.

The OU is also moving some modules to a newer TMA submission service. A small set of modules use it, while the rest stay on the existing online TMA/EMA service, and the rules differ in a few important ways. The OU Help Centre lists which modules use the new service, so check that first. Both versions are covered below.

How should I prepare my TMA file before the eTMA upload?

Most submission problems start with the file, not the system. Before you log in, spend ten minutes on these checks:

• Follow the module’s instructions on presentation. Your assessment guidance may ask for your name and personal identifier in the file, a particular file name, a word count statement or a specific font size. Follow whatever it says.
• Label every part clearly. Use the same question numbers and part labels as the TMA, for example Question 1(a), so your tutor can match your answer to the marking guidance.
• Check images, charts and tables. Make sure they display properly and are not so large that they push the file over the size limit.
• Save the final version under a new name. Something like “TMA02 FINAL” avoids the classic mistake of uploading an earlier draft.
• Keep a backup. Save a copy to cloud storage or email it to yourself in case your computer fails on deadline day.
• Run a last proofread. Check the word count, references and that every part of the question has been answered.

If any of these steps raise questions about the content itself, our guide to writing an OU TMA covers structure, word limits and using module materials.

How do I submit my TMA through eTMA, step by step?

1. Save your TMA in the format your module asks for. Your assessment guidance tells you which file types are accepted and any naming rules. Close the file before uploading.
2. Combine multiple parts if needed. The policy says you should submit one file, or a single zip file if your TMA has several parts, such as a document and a spreadsheet.
3. Check the file size. Files should be no larger than 10MB unless your module guide says otherwise. Compress images if your file is too large.
4. Log in to StudentHome and open the TMA submission link for your module.
5. Choose the correct module and assignment number, for example TMA02, and attach your file.
6. Submit and wait for the confirmation screen. Do not close the page early.
7. Write down your receipt number. The policy specifically tells students to wait for the on-screen receipt and note the number.
8. Download and open the file you submitted. This is the only way to be sure the right version went through.

If your module uses the newer service, you may also be able to save a draft that your tutor cannot see before you make your final submission.

What time is the OU TMA deadline on the cut-off date?

This depends on which submission service your module uses.

Rule	Existing online TMA/EMA service	New TMA submission service (pilot modules)
Deadline	Before 12:00 midday UK time on the cut-off date	23:59 UK time on the cut-off date
Grace period	12 hours, to 23:59 on the same day	None
Drafts	Not described in the policy	You can save a draft your tutor cannot see
If you only saved a draft	Not applicable	Your draft is submitted automatically as your final version at the cut-off
Resubmitting	Possible before the cut-off if your tutor agrees and has not marked it	Only one final submission is allowed per TMA

On the existing service, the grace period is partly there to cover technical problems, so do not plan to use it. The policy also warns that heavy network traffic near deadlines can delay receipt. Aim to submit a day or two early, and remember that all times are UK time, which matters if you study from Singapore, Malaysia, the Gulf or elsewhere.

Can I resubmit if I uploaded the wrong file?

On the existing service, the policy says you may resubmit only if the cut-off date has not passed and your tutor agrees. Once your tutor has marked and returned the TMA, no further submissions are allowed. Tutors can also collect TMAs for marking before the cut-off date, so act fast.

If you spot a problem:

• Download your submitted file to confirm what was actually uploaded.
• Contact your tutor straight away, explain the issue and ask whether you can resubmit.
• Keep your receipt number and the correct file ready.

On the new service, only one final submission is permitted, which makes checking before you press submit even more important.

What should I do if the eTMA system will not accept my TMA?

Technical problems happen, especially close to a deadline. Work through these checks:

• Confirm the file is under the size limit and in an accepted format.
• Make sure the file is not open in another program and is not password-protected.
• If you zipped several files, check the zip opens properly on your own computer.
• Try a different browser or device, and clear your browser cache.
• Check the OU Help Centre for known StudentHome problems.

If it still fails, the policy says to contact the eTMA support team by email rather than your tutor. The address is given in the TMA and iCMA policy and on the Help Centre. Keep screenshots of any error messages and note the time, as these help if you later need to explain a late submission.

What if I cannot submit my TMA by the cut-off date?

Do not wait until the deadline has passed. If unforeseen circumstances get in the way, you can ask your tutor for an extension before the cut-off date. A TMA submitted late without an agreed extension may not be accepted for marking, which can mean a score of zero. Our guide on how to request an OU TMA extension explains the process, the limits and what to say.

When will I get my marked TMA back and where do I find it?

The OU’s TMA policy summary says tutors usually aim to mark and return TMAs within ten working days of the cut-off date. Postal TMAs take longer, typically three to four weeks. Your marked TMA comes back through the same online service, usually with comments on your script and a summary feedback form, often called the PT3.

If you have not received your TMA back within these timescales, contact your tutor. If you disagree with your score, you can query it by emailing your tutor within 14 calendar days of receiving it, giving your reasons clearly. To understand what your score means for your module result, read our explainer on OU TMA scores and pass bands.

Should I get feedback on my OU TMA before I upload it?

Your tutor is your first point of contact for questions about the task, and many are happy to talk through a plan. If you want extra support before you submit, our Open University TMA tutors can review a draft against the assessment guidance, comment on structure and referencing, and help you understand the feedback you have already had. We do not write or submit TMAs for you, and you should keep the OU’s academic conduct policy in mind whenever you use outside help.