Address: Valkenburgerweg 177, 6419 AT Heerlen, Limburg, Netherlands
Computer Science, Environmental Sciences
The Open Universiteit is a Dutch university for distance education, with its head office in Heerlen in the province of Limburg. It opened in September 1984, when the first students enrolled. Study is based on written materials, the internet and occasional meetings, instead of regular lectures on campus.
Teaching is organised in six faculties: science, cultural sciences, management sciences, educational sciences, psychology and law. The directory profile highlights computer science and environmental sciences, and the faculty of science also covers information science. It offers bachelor’s and master’s programmes.
Besides the study centres in the Netherlands, the university has study centres in Flanders in Dutch-speaking Belgium. Doctoral candidates can also earn a PhD there.
Domains taught:
AI and Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Ecology and Sustainability, Software Engineering
Diplomas*:
Bachelor, Doctor, Master
Status:
Public
Partnerships:
EADTU (European Association of Distance Teaching Universities).
Research:
Learning and innovation in a digital world, Environmental sciences, Computer science and AI.
Famous Alumnis:
N/A
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
700
Current students***:
17000
Foreign students***:
N/A%
Cumulative former students***:
70000
Pros
Flexible distance learning, accessible to diverse student groups, good for lifelong learning.
Cons
Primarily distance learning may not suit all, less campus life, recognition varies internationally.
Best For
Flexible and accessible distance learning in technology and sciences.
Data analysis and cognitive science are taught at Tilburg University, a research-oriented institution in the south of the country.
For environmental sciences and life sciences, Wageningen University & Research is a comparable Dutch choice.
Universiteit Twente offers a technical profile that includes biomedical engineering and nanotechnology.
Biobased materials and biomedical engineering feature in the profile of Maastricht University, which also has a data and AI orientation.
Radboud Universiteit adds neuroscience, chemistry and artificial intelligence to the Dutch university landscape.
Most Similar Schools Abroad
The best-known British distance provider is The Open University in the United Kingdom, which teaches almost all subjects remotely.
Germany's FernUniversität in Hagen is a state distance institution with computer science, electrical engineering and mathematics.
In Spain, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya - Estudis d'Informàtica, Multimèdia i Telecomunicació delivers computing and multimedia study online.
Also in Spain, Universidad a Distancia de Madrid - Escuela de Ciencias Técnicas e Ingeniería offers distance programmes in computer engineering and telecommunications technologies.
For environmental topics, University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom adds energy, health sciences and environmental science.
*our own picks (our criteria: a mix between domains, diploma delivered, reputation and size), but obviously too many criteria for an apple-to-apple ranking.
FAQ
When did the Open Universiteit start teaching?
The university opened in September 1984, when the first students were enrolled.
Why is the head office in Heerlen?
The university's administration is in Heerlen, in the province of Limburg, which is also the address recorded in the directory.
How does distance study work here?
Students work with written materials and the internet, with occasional seminars or meetings. This allows studying alongside a job, and there is no need to live near a campus.
Which faculties does it have?
There are six: science, cultural sciences, management sciences, educational sciences, psychology and law. Programmes range from computer science and environmental sciences to psychology and law.
Can Belgian students enrol?
Yes, the university maintains study centres in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium. The official website explains which programmes can be followed from there.
What can be studied beyond the bachelor's degree?
Master's programmes are offered, and PhD research is possible. The official website lists the current offer with entry requirements and fees.
*: without any judgment of the quality, readers are strongly encouraged to check the official status of the exact diploma envisioned as many universities have a mix of recognized diplomas, not recognized, “co-delivered,” “equivalent to”, “some pathways” (…), can change over time, and can be named differently from one country to another.
**: international reputation: is based on some criteria that do not mean much in some domains or specialties (number of researchers, of scientific publications, on budget ….). Our approximate 1-4 scale:
known locally
known locally and internationally
is listed in some of the world university’s classifications
is listed among the 20 firsts in some of world university’s classifications
***: estimated numbers, based on online sources and/or feedbacks. The numbers can vary greatly depending on school organisation (ex.: school is part of a group, it employs internal staff or external consultants or has public staff without employing them …). Refer to all the links provided to have accurate and updated numbers.
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