Welcome

The Open University is a world leader in modern distance learning, the pioneer of teaching and learning methods which enable people to achieve their career and life goals studying at times and in places to suit them.

About Us

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.

Through academic research, pedagogic innovation and collaborative partnership we seek to be a world leader in the design, content and delivery of supported open learning.

Our Mission

The OU was founded to open up higher education to all, regardless of their circumstances or where they live. We have students of all ages and backgrounds: school students wanting experience of university-level study, school leavers who choose to begin their careers while they study for a degree, people wanting to develop or update their skills, or change career entirely, and retired people wanting to explore new interests and keep mentally active.

The Open University's Strategic Plan 2012-15 is the means by which we secure The Open University's Mission and thrive as a University within the new Higher Education environment across the four nations of the UK and internationally.

We are committed to promoting equal opportunities for all and we monitor ourselves to make sure we live up to our ideals.

Faculties

At the heart of the OU's teaching are its faculties, schools and institutes, producing high quality courses underpinned by research of international excellence.