All subjects (distance learning), STEM, Social Sciences
The Open University (OU) is a public distance-learning university headquartered at Walton Hall in Milton Keynes. It was launched in 1969 and took its first students in 1971.
Almost 200,000 students study with the OU, and more than 2.3 million people have studied with it since its foundation. The university presents itself as the only UK university with a significant presence in all four nations of the United Kingdom.
The OU has partnered with the BBC for over half a century, and its free learning website OpenLearn was launched in 2006. Subject areas, course formats and fees are listed on the OU website, with the offer changing from year to year.
Domains taught:
AI and Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Ecology and Sustainability, Engineering, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Software Engineering
Diplomas*:
Bachelor, Certificate, Diploma, Doctor, Master, MBA
Status:
Public
Partnerships:
Global reach through distance learning. Partnerships with employers (e.g. BBC, NHS) for workforce development and with educational institutions worldwide. Significant role in widening access to HE.
Research:
Research across a wide range of disciplines, often with a focus on open and distance learning pedagogies, space science (planetary sciences), international development, and social sciences.
Famous Alumnis:
Lenny Henry (Chancellor), Myleene Klass, Bobby Seagull, Tim Peake (studied briefly), Joan Armatrading
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
5100
Current students***:
205000
Foreign students***:
15%
Cumulative former students***:
2600000
Pros
Flexible distance learning model, accessible to students from diverse backgrounds and locations, wide range of courses, innovative teaching methods, strong student support.
Cons
Requires high self-discipline and motivation, less face-to-face interaction than traditional universities, completion rates can be a challenge for some.
Best For
Learners of all ages and backgrounds seeking flexible, high-quality higher education through distance learning, often balancing study with work or other commitments.
Birkbeck, University of London is a public institution with arts and humanities, social sciences and law, overlapping with the OU's social science offer.
Cranfield University is public and lists aerospace, engineering and management.
Aston University is a public university with business, engineering and health sciences.
University of Surrey, public, offers electrical engineering, hospitality and tourism and health sciences.
Most Similar Schools Abroad
Open Universiteit in the Netherlands is a public distance-oriented institution, listing computer science and environmental sciences.
In Germany, FernUniversität in Hagen is public, with computer science, electrical engineering and mathematics.
Universitat Oberta de Catalunya - Estudis d'Informàtica, Multimèdia i Telecomunicació in Spain is public with computer engineering, multimedia and data science.
University of South Australia is a public university in Australia with business, creative, education and engineering.
Ireland's Dublin City University is public with engineering, computer science and communication.
*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 University start?
It was launched in 1969, and its first students began in 1971.
Where is the Open University based?
Its headquarters is at Walton Hall in Milton Keynes. Students study mostly at a distance.
How many people study with the OU?
The university states almost 200,000 students, and Wikipedia gives 199,391 for 2022/23. More than 2.3 million people have studied there since it began.
What is the OU's relationship with the BBC?
The two have partnered for over half a century. Course-based BBC television broadcasts began in 1971.
What is OpenLearn?
OpenLearn is the OU's free learning website, launched in 2006. It makes some course materials available openly.
Does the OU operate across the UK?
Yes, it describes itself as the only UK university with a significant presence in all four nations.
Innovation, Learning Management System (LMS), Open Innovation, Open Source
*: 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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