Enabling people to change their lives through learning, across Northern Ireland.

The only university in Northern Ireland dedicated to distance learning, we are open to people, places, methods and ideas. We are proud to have an overall student satisfaction rating of 91% and have the highest rating among Northern Ireland providers for the last 16 years*.

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 are here to help individuals, local business, the community and the economy of Northern Ireland.

*NSS Student Survey 2020

Coronavirus updates

At the OU, we’re committed to using our expertise in online education to help our students, staff, alumni and society navigate the new ‘normal’ created by the coronavirus pandemic. Check out our coronavirus hub for a diverse range of information.

Free courses for local SMEs

The Open University has partnered with Invest Northern Ireland to offer a range of free training and learning resources to re-power business across Northern Ireland.

Furloughed workers scheme

The Open University has partnered with the Department for the Economy to offer a range of free training to help you improve your skills and wellbeing.