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The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality online degrees and distance learning or sometimes refered to as e learning; serving students across the globe with highly respected degree qualifications, and the triple accredited MBA.

Top reasons to study here

  • world leaders in distance learning
  • An Open University qualification is attractive to employers
  • The Open University is regularly rated one of the best in the UK for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey

Bachelor's programmes

Education & Training (31)
Social Sciences (19)
Natural Sciences & Mathematics (17)
Medicine & Health (14)
Humanities (11)
Engineering & Technology (9)
Computer Science & IT (8)
Environmental Studies & Earth Sciences (8)
Business & Management (7)
Applied Sciences & Professions (6)
Arts, Design & Architecture (5)
Law (4)
Hospitality, Leisure & Sports (3)

About

History

  • The year 1969 was revolutionary: one giant leap took place for education: a new university was launched that was open to all.
  • In 1983 The Open University Business School - today the largest business school in Europe - opened its doors.
  • Expansion continued during the 1990s, with new areas of study including law and modern languages; and the introduction of named degrees.

Education

  • The Open University awards degrees and other qualifications through distance learning.
  • The Open University offers a wide range of courses at various levels – from certificates and diplomas to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
  • Commonly, students apply to study with us for an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

Research

Open University is recognised and renowned throughout the world for the quality of its research. Our research engages with some of the major issues facing the world today, informs public opinion and policy, and promotes debate and engagement with questions of global importance.

The quality of our research and teaching is apparent: in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), over 60% of our research was rated as ‘internationally excellent’ or ‘world-leading’, with noticeable strengths in Computing, Art History, Sociology, Literature, Art and Design, and Development Studies. This placed us in the top 50 universities for research in the UK.

Career

The corporate world is unanimous: Open University students are both welcome and in demand.

Corporate recruiters realise that our graduates have practical real-world knowledge, from which their businesses can benefit.

University Ranking

World University Rankings by Times Higher Education
2019
501 -100
2018
401
2017
401
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
2019
-
2018
616 -15
2017
601
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world.

Services

The Open University has its headquarters at Walton Hall in Milton Keynes, which is 80km north of Central London, midway between Oxford and Cambridge, and just off the M1 motorway, linking it to Birmingham and the north of England.

Academics at Milton Keynes

Around 1,200 full-time academics are based at the Milton Keynes campus, along with some 250 of our 1,400 full-time and part-time postgraduate research students.

Research at Milton Keynes

The University has invested significantly in its infrastructure for research, increasing laboratory space at Milton Keynes headquarters by nearly 50 percent in the last seven years. Our newest facility is the Jennie Lee Building, which houses dedicated laboratories for pervasive computing and deployment of ambient and ubiquitous technologies.

Services at Milton Keynes

Our students and academics are supported by around 4,000 administrative, technical, secretarial and student services staff. Among the administrative and service units with a public-facing role who are based at Walton Hall are:

  • Development Office (alumni relations)
  • Library
  • Media Relations
  • Open University Students' Association
  • Open University Validation Services
  • Open University Worldwide
  • Student Services
Milton Keynes community

The OU plays an active role in Milton Keynes life. Among the local networks in which it is a partner, member or sponsor are:

  • Milton Keynes Technology Network
  • Milton Keynes Enterprise Hub
  • University Centre Milton Keynes
  • Milton Keynes and North Bucks Chamber of Commerce
  • Milton Keynes Community Foundation
  • Bletchley Park
Open Day

The campus is open to students, alumni supporters and local residents at Open Days held every two to three years. In 2009 the OU celebrated its 40th anniversary by opening up the campus at the Open Unlimited event.

Student Reviews

Great flexible study.
Anonymous rated 4 out of 5 stars
It's part time online study so I manage it on my own time. However, sometimes it doesn't feel like I am a student since I don't interface with other students or tutors other than virtually.
Learning online
Anonymous rated 4 out of 5 stars
Interesting period of time to be studying at the open university at the moment, because of all the advances in technology. The material and content is very interesting. Some hiccups in teaching and also the social interaction side of things. Great learning experience overall
Open Uni UK
Anonymous rated 4 out of 5 stars
Good for part time study but the support could be improved.

Milton Keynes, England, United Kingdom

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