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SET YOUR AMBITION FREE
Want to achieve your ambition? Study with us and you’ll be joining over 2 million students who’ve achieved their career and personal goals with The Open University.
We’ve pioneered distance learning for over 50 years, bringing university to you wherever you are so you can fit study around your life, with expert tutor support every step of the way. In fact, our students rated us 88% for overall student satisfaction and we were ranked third in the 2021 National Student Survey. Meaning when it comes to realising your ambition, you couldn’t be in better hands.
Your Ambition. Our Mission.
News from the OU
Our research
The OU's world-leading innovative research and development enriches lives and influences policy globally.
Learn more about our researchOU COVID-19 Research
Supporting society through the pandemicIn 1969 one ambition changed the world
Giving anyone, anywhere the power to learn, the OU has pioneered distance learning for over 50 years.
Coronavirus vaccination information
We’re supporting the Milton Keynes community and NHS in delivering up to 500 vaccinations a day. The OU’s Michael Young building is the premises for the Rainbow Pharmacy vaccination centre. If you have a question about your vaccination, please call the vaccination centre line: 01908 893240.
Our coronavirus page has the latest on what the OU is doing in the fight against coronavirus.
Statement on equality and diversity
The OU was founded to open up higher education to all, regardless of background or circumstances. Our mission is to be open to people, places, methods and ideas—and as such, equality and diversity are at the heart of everything we do. Our continued dedication to social justice ... and equality of opportunity is embodied in our vision and principles:
Our vision of a fair and just society
We are creating an inclusive university community and a society where:
- People are treated with dignity and respect
- Inequalities are challenged
- We anticipate, and respond positively to, different needs and circumstances so that everyone can achieve their potential
Our equality and diversity principles
- We value diversity and we recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge and culture, and that this difference brings great strength.
- We believe that discrimination or exclusion based on individual characteristics and circumstances, such as age; disability; caring or dependency responsibilities; gender or gender identity; marriage and civil partnership status; political opinion; pregnancy and maternity; race, colour, caste, nationality, ethnic or national origin; religion or belief; sexual orientation; socio-economic background; trade union membership status or other distinctions, represents a waste of talent and a denial of opportunity for self-fulfilment.
- We recognise that patterns of under-representation and differences in outcomes at The Open University can be challenged through positive action programmes.
- We respect the rights of individuals, including the right to hold different views and beliefs. We will not allow these differences to be manifested in a way that is hostile or degrading to others.
- We expect commitment and involvement from all our staff, students, partners and providers of goods and services in working towards the achievement of our vision.
To read our equality scheme in the full or abbreviated version, or to find out more about equality and diversity at The Open University, visit the Equality and Diversity Website.
You can also read our anti-racism and anti-discrimination statements.
