The Open University

Address and Location

Most students at The Open University (OU) study via distance learning so will never actually need to visit the main campus. The OU does, however, have a 48 acre campus in Milton Keynes as well as 13 regional centres around the UK.

Background and History

The OU was founded under the guiding vision of Michael Young, a sociologist and political activist who believed in creating a meritocracy' in education to counter the ingrained privilege in university education at the time. A combination of vice-chancellors, leading educationists and members of the BBC planned the university, with the BBC having a role as many lectures were to be aired on television to allow a greater audience. The OU opened for its first students in 1971, accepting 25,000 entrants with an open' entry policy as a time when there were only 130,000 university students in the country.

Location and Accessibility

By Road: The main Milton Keynes campus is just off the M1 in the south east of the town. Access and parking are good should you need to visit the campus.

By Rail: Milton Keynes Central is about two miles away from the campus but the smaller stations of Bow Brickhill and Fenny Stratford are closer if you're getting a local service.

Most facilities are wheelchair friendly and accommodation is available designed for usage by people with disabilities.

What's on Offer

BA, BSc, MA, MSc, MBA Graduate Diploma, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate, MRes, MPhil, PhD.

Entry Requirements

The OU is famous for its open' access policy so entrance onto undergraduate courses is not dependent on an applicant's previous academic achievement. To study post-graduate courses or a research degree some form of evidence of suitability for the course will be necessary such as an undergraduate degree or significant work experience.

University Accommodation

The OU has no designated student accommodation so all students live in private rented accommodation.    

Private Accommodation

As most students use distance learning you will most likely stay in the town you currently live in, handily saving yourself some moving costs. For those moving to Milton Keynes for a research degree expect reasonably low rents with a room in a shared house costing anywhere from £250-£500 a month.

Faculties and Departments

Faculties of Arts, Education Language Studies, Health and Social Care, Law, Science, Social Science, Business, Faculty of Mathematics, Computing and Technology.

Academic Strengths and Research Profile

Overall teaching standards are good with 17 out of 24 subjects assessed by the Quality Assurance Agency deemed to be of excellent standard. Perhaps the greatest strength of the OU is its flexibility and willingness to innovate in methods of delivering teaching. It now runs a successful Youtube channel and itunes store which allows students to download or stream course content from the internet. As a research institution the OU is growing and has recently gained recognition in the Space Sciences.

Tuition Fees

Fees vary from year to year depending on inflation, so it is recommended that you contact the university directly in order to find out about current fee levels. As many students at the OU study part time fees will be reduced depending on how many modules you are taking that year. Postgraduate fees vary depending on the course with science and engineering costing more than the arts subjects.  

Financial Support

The OU is a member of the National Scholarship Programme which offers means tested financial support and it also has a system of loans to students whereby those not eligible for a government Student Loan can pay back the cost of the course to the OU in increments.

Academic Facilities

The method of teaching at the OU means that many of the facilities you'd normally expect are not necessary and instead there has been heavy invested in online resources such as their online library, youtube channel and itunes store where students can access everything they need for their course. The OU regional centres offer face-to-face support for those who need it and there are some courses which require attendance for practical assessment. This will most likely take place at your nearest regional centre.

Other on-site Amenities

The facilities at the central Milton Keynes campus are available for all OU students to use but most will not find it necessary to go there on a regular basis. The OU regional centres are academically focused but the Students' Union runs local events throughout the country to offer networking and support opportunities.  

Medical and Social Care

It is advisable to register with your local GP wherever you are completing your distance learning modules from.  

What's on in the Area

If you do study in Milton Keynes (this is only likely if you are completing a research degree) then you can expect access to a wide variety of entertainment in this modern, planned town. The National Bowl is an open-air performance venue which hosts all kinds of gigs, festivals and cultural events and it backed up by a number of theatres and cinemas in the town. Milton Keynes has a reputation as a green city with a number of parks, lakes and golf courses in and around its environs and there are also a number of historical sites nearby at Bletchley Park and some Bronze Age settlements. For those wanting to escape the town the Buckinghamshire countryside is nearby or London is a short train ride away.  

Moving On

Employability is variable depending on the course combinations you have taken. Focused degrees (rather than open' degrees that allow you to study small amounts of any subject) are more likely to impress employers and have a similar, or in some cases better, standing to degrees from traditional, full-time institutions. The OU operates a careers service both centrally and in the regions which can offer advice and support while you study.

Mylene Klass and Lenny Henry are former students and Gordon Brown previously worked as a History tutor at the OU. The OU was featured in the film Educating Rita' and an episode of the comedy Black Books'. The OU runs two islands in Second Life and is the world leading provider of educational material on itunes.

Is the OU right for you?

It has no barriers to entrance for nearly all of its undergraduate courses. The distance learning modules are well supported online and through face-to-face support and can be completed over a number of years. If you are interested in distance learning Royal Holloway and Middlesex University also have successful programmes.