OU research at a glance
Our world-leading innovative research and development ranks in the top third of UK universities. It influences policy and practice from local to global levels.
- External funding for the University’s research and enterprise activities was £20 million in 2011/12
- The University has over 1,000 registered postgraduate students
- The OU has 25 Affiliated Research Centres worldwide including the Health Protection Agency, Transport Research Laboratory, the UK Medical Research Council Laboratories in The Gambia
- Open Research Online makes over 22,000 of our research publications freely available
- We have state-of-the-art facilities for research into space, the environment, brain activity, music and more
- Our Knowledge Media Institute and Institute of Educational Technology drive innovation in teaching and learning
Read our Research Highlights brochure
Research Assessment Exercise (RAE)
The OU climbed 23 places to 43rd in the UK’s Research Assessment Exercise (RAE 2008), securing a place in the UK’s top third of higher education institutions.
The results show:
- 100 per cent of OU research in Computer Science and History of Art was deemed ‘internationally recognised ’or better
- 80 per cent of OU research in Art and Design was deemed ‘internationally excellent’ or better
- 70 per cent of OU research in Earth and Environmental Science and Computer Science was deemed ‘internationally excellent’ or better
- Overall 87 per cent of all OU research was deemed ‘internationally recognised ’ or better
- Art & Design was ranked third in the UK and Development Studies ranked at equal fourth with University of Bath
