We have 13 centres across the UK and Ireland. Their role is to organise the support for our 250,000 distance learning students.
At the centres students can meet with advisers, careers experts and other students, view course materials, and get help with their study choices. Many centres also host tutorials, day schools and social events.
At each centre, our student services teams help with:
- study planning and advice
- revision and examinations queries
- enquiries and support for revision, residential and day schools
- obtaining special study equipment or arrangements for students with disabilities
- career planning
Our national and regional centres also employ the associate lecturers who tutor our students.
Building local partnerships
Much of the University's work in widening participation starts with our national and regional centres who are best placed to identify local needs and build partnerships with communities and other providers. For example, our regional centre in the North West is host to the Greater Manchester AimHigher Co-ordination Unit (pictured), working to encourage more people into higher education.
Playing an active role in their communities
The majority of our centres are based in major population centres within the area they cover - accessible to as many students within their region as possible. All of them take an active part in the life of their region whether celebrating the success of mature students during Adult Learners' Week or sponsoring arts or science festivals.
OU centres in the UK and Ireland
Find your nearest OU centre:
The Open University in Scotland
The Open University in Ireland
The Open University in the East Midlands
The Open University in the East of England
The Open University in the North
The Open University in the North-West
The Open University in the South
The Open University in the South-East
The Open University in the South-West
