Open University

During its 40-plus year history, The Open University has taught more than 1.7 million students by adopting the technology of the day to ensure that neither distance nor academic background is a barrier to learning. The OU is a world leader in distance-learning, producing high-quality education at scale to more than 250,000 current students – including more than 18,000 studying directly with the University overseas and more than 40,000 students on validated programmes. While the OU is the largest academic institution in the UK, its students are among the most satisfied. The OU has been one of the top three UK universities for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey every year since the survey began in 2005. In 2010/11, it had a 93 per cent satisfaction rating. The delivery of part-time courses online enables students to work and study. More than 70 per cent of students are in full-time or part-time employment, and four out of five FTSE 100 companies have sponsored staff on OU courses.

The Open University is open to people, places, methods and ideas. It promotes educational opportunity and social justice by providing high-quality university education to all who wish to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential. Through academic research, pedagogic innovation and collaborative partnership it seeks to be a world leader in the design, content and delivery of supported open and distance learning.

Foundation year:1969
Short name:OU
Type:Public
Students:67360
Faculty:2200
Faculty/Students Ratio:31:1
Region:Europe
Location:Milton Keynes