Open University study widens access to higher education
The Open University in Scotland
We are the most popular university in Scotland for flexible, part-time study. Social justice is at our core: our high quality education is accessible to all, regardless of age, income, qualifications or geography.
Working with our partners, from employers and trade unions, to schools and voluntary sector groups, we can deliver personalised, supported open learning to a wide range of people at every stage of life.
The OU at 50
We celebrate our milestone 50th birthday in 2019. For the past half century, The OU’s mission has been to open up education for all. Find out more about our unique story, meet some of our graduates and read about how we’re marking our anniversary.
About us
The Open University in Scotland has 16,465 students from the Shetland Isles to Dumfries and Galloway, who are supported by around 500 tutors across the country. Around 130 academic and other staff are based at our Edinburgh office.
Courses and qualifications
The OU really is open to everyone: our students live in every Scottish parliamentary constituency and most undergraduate courses have no entry requirements. Students can take a standalone module or register for a wide range of qualifications, and study at a time and place that suits them.
Study free: Part-Time Fee Grant
Individuals living in Scotland, with an annual income of £25,000 or less, may be eligible for a Part-Time Fee Grant for undergraduate study with The OU. This covers 100% of course fees and is not a loan – you won’t need to pay it back. Over half of our students benefit from this funding.
Meet our students and alumni
We support students in personalised open learning across Scotland. Our flexible programmes and wide range of qualifications allow learners to pick the study route that’s best for them. Read about a variety of OU in Scotland journeys and experiences from some of our learners and alumni.
Strategy and policy
We work with the Scottish Government, Scottish Funding Council, politicians and key external organisations in Scotland on a range of issues relating to part-time study and student support, to ensure higher education policy takes into account the needs and interests of our learners.
Free online learning
It doesn’t matter if you’re into art or zoology, whether you have 5 minutes or 50 hours, or if you want to brush up on skills or to learn for leisure. We’ve got a huge range of free online learning to explore, including resources on Scotland and MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses).
Our work
We work with organisations across Scotland to open up learning opportunities, including employers, unions, charity and voluntary sector groups, sports bodies, universities, colleges and schools. Our Young Applicants in Schools Scheme (YASS) lets S6 students in Scotland study university-level modules.
Blog
Our blogs are written by OU academics, staff, graduates and our partner organisations, read our latest blogs.
Work with us
We work together to give our students the greatest chance of success, whatever that might look like for them, and to make sure their experience studying with us is everything they need it to be. Discover our latest job opportunities and find out why working with us is a rewarding experience.
Upcoming Events
Celebrating the OU at 50 with the OU in Scotland's Psychology Community
Thursday, June 20, 2019 - 15:30 to 22:00
The National Piping Centre, 30-34 McPhater Street, Glasgow, G4 0HW
The Cultural History of Glasgow Research Network - Workshop 2
Saturday, June 29, 2019 - 11:00 to 15:30
Blythswood Room, The Mitchell Library (Floor 5), North Street, Glasgow, G3 7DN
News
Contact us
For general enquiries / reception,
call +44 (0) 131 226 3851
email Scotland
The Open University in Scotland,
Jennie Lee House
10 Drumsheugh Gardens
Edinburgh, EH3 7QJ
Open 08:30 - 17:00 Monday to Friday.
Request your prospectus
Explore our qualifications and courses by requesting one of our prospectuses today.
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