The Open University

The Open University is the world's first successful distance teaching university. It was founded with the belief that communications technology could bring high quality degree-level learning to people.

Why was it set up?

It was set up to open up higher education to everyone regardless of their circumtances or where they live. They have students of all ages and backgrounds: school students wanting expererience of university level, school leavers who choose to beging 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.

When did it start?

The OU opened to its first students – 25,000 of them - in January 1971 with a choice of four multi-disciplinary foundation courses in the arts, social sciences, science or maths.

How was it different from other Universities?

The Open University has developed its own style of distance learning called 'supported open learning'.

• Open learning means their students work whenever they choose in their own homes, workplace or at a library or study centre, and can plan their study around their other commitments.
• Supported open learning means that their students have support from a tutor or online forum, they have students advisers and study facilities in theor own region and they have contact with other students at tutorials,day schools or through online conferencing, online social networks, informal study groups and events.

How many students have been taught by them?

• The Open University has more than 250,000 students.
• In November 2010, 18,475 students studied directly with the University overseas and more than 36,800 students on validated programmes.
• More than 12,000 people with disabilities study with the University each year.

Source: http://www.open.ac.uk/