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Why The Open University?

Our world-leading research, academic expertise, and dedicated student support are just some of the reasons postgraduates choose to study with us.

Learn more about our postgraduate courses.

Study that works around you and your life

We are the acknowledged leaders in contemporary distance learning. You study part-time, earning while you learn – at home, at work and on the move to suit the demands of your lifestyle and circumstances. You can access our world-class teaching materials at your desk and on the go. Our superb digital library is open 24 hours a day, and everything we teach is grounded in the research we’re internationally famous for. You’ll have a personal tutor to guide your learning, provide feedback on your written work, and deliver online tutorials. They’ll support you throughout the course, and you’ll be able to stay in touch by phone or online.

I did a lot of research as I wanted a course with ‘real world’ networking relevance ... The Open University Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Networking was precisely what I required. I now run my own company; I often work with highly qualified individuals holding higher degrees. Having passed the diploma and having done so with a distinction has given me a massive confidence boost. I fully intend to continue with my education and look forward to completing my masters degree.

Kevin Large, Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Networking

Want to know more about postgraduate distance learning with the OU?

We’ve put together a series of short guides that’ll help you get to grips with:

  • the different postgraduate courses we offer
  • roughly how much time you'll need to set aside to study each week
  • how study works, from your module materials to your study website
  • the invaluable role your tutors play in supporting your learning
  • all the support you can access, even after your studies.

Learn more about supported postgraduate distance learning

An OU qualification says ‘employ me’

Postgraduate tutors

OU postgraduate tutors are consistently rated ‘excellent’ in national Teaching Quality Assessments. All are subject-specialists, and many are practising professionals in their fields.

The skills and knowledge acquired through postgraduate OU study bring tangible benefits to you and your employer. An OU qualification means you can rise to a challenge, see it through, prioritise tasks, and manage your time. You’ll apply your learning directly to your own context, and learn the independent, critical-thinking skills prized by organisations across all sectors, nationally and internationally – giving you a competitive edge in the real world of work, whatever your career goals.

 

The OU’s expertise in helping students integrate theory into practice was very important.

Rob Deeks, delivery training manager at ACAS

Employer sponsorship

78% of FTSE 100 companies have sponsored students to study with us.

Join the world’s largest student community

With the OU, you’re never alone. Someone logs onto our network every 0.5 seconds, and over 1,000 online tutorials are held weekly. Online forums are alive with people like you; the opportunity to discuss, debate and socialise together doesn’t stop when you log off. Our students regularly get together to attend local study groups, and we have an active students’ association.

When you graduate, you’ll have access to the OU Alumni Association, one of the largest and most supportive networks of its kind in the world. Nearly 100,000 alumni keep in touch around the globe, tapping into the diverse, talented and influential peer groups that are part and parcel of an OU education.

At the residential schools, you meet people from other parts of the world, which really adds to the experience.

Fatima Zahra Kerdoum, Master of Business Administration (MBA)