England

Please tell us where you live so that we can provide you with the most relevant information as you use this website.
If you are at a BFPO address please choose the country or region in which you would ordinarily be resident.
Accessibility statement
Award-winning teaching banner
An Open University studying at home
Welcome to the home of distance learning and online courses – for over 50 years The Open University has helped over 2 million learners to open up their futures.
Find an OU course that’s respected by employers, can help with career progression and gives you the flexibility to earn while you learn.
Interested in postgraduate study? View postgraduate courses
Already an OU student? Visit StudentHome
An image to illustrate the Countdown to registration open banner on March 18
From 25 March, you can register for courses starting in October 2026, February and April 2027.
  • Accounting
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Biology
  • Business and Management
  • Chemistry
  • Combined Studies
  • Computing and IT
  • Counselling
  • Creative Arts
  • Creative writing
  • Criminology
  • Design
  • Early years
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English
  • Environment
  • Geography
  • Health and Social Care
  • Health and Wellbeing
  • Health Sciences
  • History
  • International Studies
  • Languages
  • Law
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Mental Health
  • Music
  • Nursing and Healthcare
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Politics
  • Psychology
  • Science
  • Social Sciences
  • Social Work
  • Sociology
  • Sport and Fitness
  • Statistics
  • Find out about our Open qualifications
Getting started is easier than you think, but if you've got questions, we have the answers. Check out the essentials to study at The Open University.
An Open University student studying in her kitchen.
An student thinking about studying with The Open University.
An Open University student applying online to The Open University.
An Open University student researching their fees and funding options.
Two Open University students studying.
Open University students at their graduation ceremony.
For me, the biggest benefit of The Open University is that I can earn whilst I learn. With bills on the rise, I have friends who don’t know how they’re going to cope with the cost of living away from home. As well as funding my studies, I’m also gaining valuable work experience. This degree is going to change my life and inevitably is going to better my future.
I studied at full time intensity while working in mental health. The route I took isn’t for the faint-hearted, but it’s really paid off – I’m in such a brilliant position with my career. With over four years of experience in a related field to my degree, I’ve already built up a professional network and have a huge advantage over recent graduates.
I couldn’t find a course [at a brick university] I liked which still offered me the flexibility to work and remain living at home. Studying via distance learning isn’t a lonely experience. I’ve made life-long friends and spend my spare time travelling the country visiting them. It’s been refreshing to find like-minded people who love books as much as I do!
A group of students
Chat with our students to discover what studying with us is really like.
Ask a student
Awarding-winning teaching banner