Being the world’s first higher education distance learning institution, Open University (OU) is a public research university located at Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire in England. It is largely regarded as the largest university in UK with 168,167 students and over 7,700 international students studying with the OU with an 87% student satisfaction rate. 30,791 students declaring a disability studied at OU in 2022/23.
Due to its quality of education and level of student satisfaction, the university Business school is triple-accredited by the international accrediting bodies: AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS. 72% of directly-registered OU students work full or part-time during their studies. 33% of students aspiring to study abroad in UK had one A level or a lower qualification at entry to OU.
Top Programs at Open University
| Programs | Fees Per Annum |
|---|---|
| M.B.A | $24,331 |
| M.Sc Finance | $14,685 |
| Diploma in Health Sciences | $13,746 |
| M.Sc Technology Management | $4,496 |
| Diploma in Biology | $15,975 |
| Diploma in Data Analysis | $13,746 |
| B.Sc Data Science | $23,963 |
| M.Sc Engineering | $14,108 |
| M.Sc Human Resource Management | $4,895 |
| M.Sc Advanced Networking | $4,849 |
| B.Sc Biology | $20,619 |
| B.Sc Cyber Security | $20,619 |
| B.A Economics | $20,619 |
| M.Sc Mathematics | $11,089 |
| B.Sc Physics | $20,619 |
Open University Highlights
| Type of Institution | Public |
| Campus Setting | Urban |
| Official Website | open.ac.uk |
| Number of Campuses | One main campus |
| Students already in work, earning and learning | 70% |
| Total number of Professors | About 8000 part-time and 1286 full time and 1931 for teaching materials |
| Student Satisfaction Rate | 87% |
| International fee | Depends on course |
| Type of Academic Programs | Bachelors, Masters, Degree subjects, Diplomas, Certificate, Short courses |
| Mode of Program | Online |
| Research Investment | £20 million |
| Admissions Helpdesk | 443003030266 |
Open University Rankings
| Ranking | Agencies |
|---|---|
| 601 | World University Rankings by Times Higher Education |
| 701 | Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University |
| 706 | Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report |
Open University Campus
- OU operates a 48-hectare university campus in Milton Keynes that houses infrastructures for research, administrative, academic, purposes as well as art collections (like Modern Misses by Zimbabwean sculptor Dominic Benhura).
- A greater percentage of students at OU study off-campus apart from a small number of postgraduate research students.
- In addition to distant students, there are 168,000 OU students in the UK, Europe and across the world.
- Through its students and staff, OU plays an active role in Milton Keynes life through networks like Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce, Milton Keynes Community Foundation and Bletchley Park
- There are 21 student societies, 51 clubs, and two groups; the Disabled Students Group (DSG) and PLEXUS (LGBT+ group) open to students.
Open University Residence
- Part-time Ph.D. research students and Full-time Ph.D. and MPhil research students are required to live around the school campus.
- Most of OU’s students prefer living off-campus. There are private accommodations within and outside the school campus for students.
- Features of each room include a bed, wardrobe, window blinds, tiled floor, furnishings, and a drawer. In addition to this, En-suite rooms possess a shower, basin, and toilet.
- Amenities include parking space, garden, broadband access (not available in all), kitchen with essentials such as cooker and refrigerator, and washing machine.
Open University Programs
- There are 26 masters’ degrees offered at Open university, one integrated master, 97 honors degrees, 16 postgraduate diplomas, 17 graduate certificates, and over 400 undergraduate and graduate modules offered also as flexible part-time study, supported distance and open learning options.
- OU offers two MBAs: MBA in Master of Business Administration and an MBA in Technology Management to interested students.
- OU offers a standalone study on Linux Essentials as a short course. OU also offers short courses on Science: plants and people, Science: the frozen planet, Science: the weather amongst others.
- Three-quarters of students at OU are distant learners.
- OU offers Open Qualification opportunities where students can build a qualification that's unique to them. There are Open Qualification options in BA (Honours) or BSc (Honours) Open, Diploma of Higher Education Open, and Certificate of Higher Education Open.
- Some programs are not available to students from some countries; applicants are to check out which course is available to them in their country before applying.
Open University Application Process
Aspirants seeking admission at open university are encouraged to follow the below-mentioned admission details:
Application portal:
- Undergraduate/graduate: OU online application portal
Application fee:
- Undergraduate/Graduate: Not available
Entry Requirements/supporting documents-
- Undergraduate: No formal qualifications are needed for admission. Applicants only need to possess an adequate level of English (spoken and written) as well as access to the internet (technology) and time. There are also a few course-specific requirements.
- Graduate: For postgraduate degrees, applicants need to have a degree equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree. Interviews are conducted for Ph.D. research students. This is required alongside adequate knowledge of the English language (no test required), technology, time, specific course requirements.
NOTE: For students who may need to reside in the UK for a period of time and pay a fee, they’ll need to provide a copy of their passport and copies of their visas and Home Office documentation to support their application to pay a UK fee.
Open University English language requirements
Basically, a good standard of written and spoken English is required to study with OU, however, a formal language qualification (such as TOEFL/IELTS) is not necessary. Nevertheless, a student’s command of English should be sufficient to use study materials, including books, video, and audio, and communicate effectively with other students, lecturers, and university staff.
Full-time, Part-time, and MPhil research students need a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any of the four categories.
Open University Visa Information (mainly for postgraduate research students)
- Receive a Certificate of Acceptance (CAS) for studies from OU.
- Apply for a visa (Tier 4 general student visa in UK) three months before the course starts.
- Applicants will need to show proof of enough money to pay for the studies, accommodation, and other expenses while in the UK.
- Applicants need to show proof of English proficiency.
- Not a citizen of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
- Pay the healthcare surcharge.
- Cost of visa is 348 GBP.
Open University Cost of Attendance
| Expenses | Undergraduate per annum (GBP) | Masters per annum (GBP) | Doctoral per annum (GBP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 6,192 | 4,935- 10,960 | 3,210- 7,308 |
| Exams fee | 251-256 | 251-256 | 251-256 |
| Internet, books and supplies | 240-540 | 240-540 | 240-540 |
| Travel, residential school visits and miscellaneous | 2,066-10,000 | 2,066-10,000 | 2,066-10,000 |
| Total | 8,749-16,988 | 7,492-15,731 | 5,767-14,006 |
NOTE: At OU, the total cost of tuition that students pay for their qualifications is dependent on the modules they choose to study. More so, students pay for modules as they study them, rather than the whole qualification upfront. However, the cost of attendance listed above counts as an estimated average for a year’s study.
Open University Scholarships
There are several scholarships for international students in UK according to their place of residence. There are many attractive scholarship options for Indian students as well. Also, there are many competitors and quizzes which take place throughout the year which gives opportunities to get awarded.
- 60% of students at OU pay for their course with a student loan.
- Three-quarters of students at OU study while they work.
- There are over 1,000 scholarships awarded by the country at OU. 40% of OU MBA students receive sponsorship from their employers.
- Some examples of financial aid available to students include:
- International Distinction Awards: These merits scholarships are open to five international students who are below 18 years and are studying at any level. The amount ranges from 894 GBP to 5,364 GBP for each successful applicant.
- Chevening Scholarship: Chevening Scholarship is funded by the UK Government to award international postgraduate students to develop global leaders. The amount covers full Scholarship which includes flights, accommodation, and course fees.
- Computer Science High Achievers Postgraduate funding for International Students: Recipient of this award receives a fee reduction of 10% to 50% on tuition fees. All recipients will also receive an iPad Pro upon starting the course. There are 10 masters’ scholarships available each year.
Open University Alumni
OU alumni benefits include:
- Membership of The Open University’s Alumni LinkedIn group
- Access to join an active alumni community of 280,000 alumni all over the world
- Access to the alumni website
- Access to alumni meetings, career help tools, events and connections
Notable alumni include:
- Air Chief Marshal Sir Brian Burridge –Royal Air Force (RAF) officer
- Daisy Edgar-Jones -English actress
- Daniel Tammet –Novelist and Poet
- Joan Armatrading -Songwriter and singer
Open University Placement
- Popular employers at OU include BMW, Mini, NHS Professionals, IBM, Travis Perkins, amongst others.
- 86% of OU alumni confirm that OU’s education helped them achieve their career goals thanks to career advice and counseling.
- According to PayScale, the average salary per annum of Open University graduates is 31,000 GBP
Average salary offered to OU graduates and Alumni are tabulated below-
| Degree | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Executive MBA | £87,000 |
| MBA | £80,000 |
| Executive Masters | £72,000 |
| Masters in Finance | £68,000 |
| Masters in Science | £53,000 |
| Masters of Arts | £50,000 |
FAQs
Ques. What is the deadline for applications at OU?
Ans. You can apply at any time but Open University modules start at set times during the year. You will need to apply to your partner university in plenty of time to allow you to register on the scheme and for your first OU module. For example, it is recommend that you apply to the partner no later than early August for OU modules starting in October and early November for OU modules starting in February.
Ques. What qualification will I get and who will award it?
Ans. Your degree will be awarded by your full time partner university, just as if you had studied the whole course with the full time partner, for example a BSc (Hons) Chemistry or BSc (Hons) Physics. See the subjects available page for all the different degree options available.
Ques. Will I mix with other students while studying with the OU?
Ans. The extent to which you keep in touch with other students is entirely up to you. Some students make full use of the range of activities available, which include: attending tutorial support sessions organised by the tutor; organising a self-help study group (online or face to face); contacting the local Open University Students Association (OUSA). Others students opt to have very little contact with others. Many of the full time partners are planning events and opportunities for you to meet other students.
Ques. How do I apply at OU?
Ans. For information on how to apply click here.
Ques. What subjects can I study at OU?
Ans. For information on degrees available and at which universities click here.
Ques. Can I get a student loan or other financial support at OU?
Ans. Please see fees and financial support page for up to date information.
Ques. Can I study for a whole degree with the Open University?
Ans. Yes, the Open University offers undergraduate degrees, postgraduate degrees, and other qualifications as well as individual modules. See the Open University home page for details.
Ques. Can I study with OpenPlus from outside of the UK?
Ans. Depending on which subject you want to study you may be able to join OpenPlus. See the international page for details.
Ques. Is the Open University a 'proper' University?
Ans. Yes. The Open University (OU) is Britain’s largest university. More than 200,000 people study with the OU every year. Seventy-five per cent of the FTSE top-100 companies are sponsoring, or have sponsored, their staff on Open University modules and qualifications. The OU has an excellent reputation for Student Satisfaction. It has been at the forefront of the National Student Survey rankings since they were introduced in 2005.
Ques. Do I need Maths and English GCSE?
Ans. Speak to your chosen partner university to find out their requirements. If you do need to gain a Maths or English GCSE qualification you may be able to do this for free by contacting Learndirect (Telephone 0800 101 901).
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Overview
I left my previous college due to mental health issues and poor support from the college. Because of said health issues, I wanted to remain close to family and friends and stay in a familiar environment rather than move across the country. The Open University allowed me to study from a distance, the comfort of my own home, and freed up enough time to pursue treatment and also other interests.
Fees
Fees are paid via the UK Student Loans Company or through personal finances. You pay in bulk. Fees are lower than in other universities.
The Open University Scholarships
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education for Sustainable Energy Development Scholarship Program | Scholarship per student$21,000 | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeNeed-Based | |
| Commonwealth Rutherford Fellowship | Scholarship per student$3,105 | Level Of StudyDoctorate | TypeMerit-Based | |
| VueVille Future Technology Scholarship | Scholarship per student$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Monica Cole Research Grant | Scholarship per student$1,291 | Level Of StudyApprenticeship | TypeMerit-Based | |
| QS Leadership Scholarship | Scholarship per student$10,000 | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based |
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Attendance Cost
The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees
The Open University Campus Location
Nearby This Campus
- Bus Station
- Airport
- Shopping Mall
- Super Market
- Pharmacy
- Train Station
- Book Store
Bus Station
Shopping Mall
Pharmacy
Book Store
Airport
Super Market
Train Station
● All distance are measured radially. Actual distance may vary
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