Our story

The Open University is one of three universities in Northern Ireland. At our core, we are open to people, places, methods and ideas. We promote educational opportunity and social justice by providing high-quality, university education to all who wish to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.

We focus on widening access to higher education, irrespective of background or circumstances, and helping our employers to develop and upskill their workforces.

We offer a wide range of courses and qualifications, we support our students and staff, undertake projects around learning enhancement, and engage with key higher education stakeholders and policymakers.

The OU at 50

We celebrate our milestone 50th birthday in 2019. For the past half century, The Open University’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.

Courses and qualifications

No matter where you live in Northern Ireland you can study with us – at a time and place that suits you.

Our strategy

The Open University’s mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas sets us apart from other universities globally.  The OU alumni and current student community is a movement of millions.  We are enormously proud to promote educational opportunity and social justice. Through world-leading academic research,and the latest pedagogic innovation and collaborative partnerships we are focused on transforming the design, content and delivery of supported, flexible open learning.

Raising awareness

We are committed to raising the profile of part-time higher education and the needs of part-time students by engaging with the Northern Ireland Assembly and government departments through our Policy and Public Affairs team.

Time to Think: Open University journeys in British and Irish prisons during the years of conflict 1972-2000

A unique oral history archive containing interviews on the educational journeys of Loyalist and Republican ex-prisoners, Open University staff who tutored in the prisons or were involved in administration of study from the Belfast Office, prison education staff and Open University students who worked in the prisons. It also includes reflective interviews with OU staff and the Time to Think team about gathering interviews and building the archive.