The Open University

About
The Open University (OU) is the largest academic institution in the UK and a world leader in flexible distance learning.
Since it began in 1969, the OU has taught more than 1.8 million students and has almost 220,000 current students, including more than 15,000 overseas. The Open University is rated one of the best in the UK for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey. The OU is one of only four UK universities to have consistently achieved more than 90% in the survey’s history. Over 70% of students are in full-time or part-time employment, and four out of five FTSE 100 companies have sponsored staff to take OU courses.
The UK’s latest Research Excellence Framework exercise (REF 2014) places The Open University in the top third of UK higher education institutions by ‘research power’ ranking. 72% of OU research submitted was assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.
Regarded as Britain’s major e-learning institution, the OU is a world leader in developing technology to increase access to education on a global scale. Its vast ‘open content portfolio’ includes free study units on OpenLearn, which has had more than 26.7 million visits, and materials on iTunes U, which has recorded more than 60 million downloads. The OU has a 41 year partnership with the BBC which has moved from late-night lectures in the 1970s to prime-time programmes such as Frozen Planet, Bang Goes the Theory, James May’s Big Ideas and The Money Programme.
All Open University Science courses presented on FutureLearn are produced with the kind support of Dangoor Education.
Degrees3 Degrees
Discover online degrees from leading universities. Develop your knowledge with an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.
Microcredentials9 Microcredentials
Our online microcredentials are designed to upskill you for work in rapidly-growing industries, without the time and cost commitment of a full degree. They can be used as an independent certification, and some even offer academic credit to use towards a degree. Each microcredential also includes a formal online assessment.
Programs with academic accreditation1 Program
These online programs are designed for you to deepen your understanding of a specialist subject and pursue further academic study, with the opportunity to earn an academic credential from a top international university.
Programs with professional accreditation2 Programs
These online programs are designed to help you develop professionally and progress in your career, with the opportunity to earn a professional credential from some of the world’s leading institutions.
Programs2 Programs
These online programs are designed for you to explore subjects you’re passionate about, with the opportunity to earn a FutureLearn Award to demonstrate your learning.
Courses46 Courses
Learn new skills, pursue your interests or advance your career with our short online courses.