The Open University
The Open University (OU) was the world's first successful distance teaching university.
Born in the 1960s, the OU was founded on the belief that communications technology could bring high quality degree-level learning to people lacking the opportunity or desire to attend campus universities.
It continues to be the United Kingdom's only university dedicated to distance learning.
We have around 150,000 undergraduate and more than 30,000 postgraduate students.
The Open University's style of teaching is supported distance learning.
Nearly all students are studying part-time. About 70 per cent of undergraduate students are in full-time employment. More than 50,000 students are sponsored by their employers for their studies.
11,000 people are currently studying for OU Higher Degrees.
Most OU courses are available throughout Europe. Some of them are available in many other parts of the world. More than 25,000 OU students live outside the UK.
The OU is ranked among the top five UK universities for the quality of its teaching.
News
9 Feb 2012
Security vs privacy: OU receives £450k to investigate
Privacy and security have always had a controversial relationship. On one hand security requires the collection of information about citizens, but on the other, it can be seen as infringement of their privacy. Dr ...
2 Feb 2012
OU on the BBC: The Bottom Line
The view from the top of business. Presented by Evan Davis, The Bottom Line cuts through confusion, statistics and spin to present a clearer view of the business world, through discussion with people running leading and ...
1 Feb 2012
Open University appoint Rebecca Taylor as Dean of its Business School
The Open University has appointed Professor Rebecca Taylor as Dean of its Business School and Law School.Professor Taylor was previously Associate Dean at Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent ...
