Facts & Figures

Facts about The Open University

• The Open University makes a significant contribution to lifelong learning in the UK.
• In 1971, The Open University began with just 20,000 students.
• Now over 220,000 learners study with us each year.
• The Open University also plays a major role in widening access. Most students are between 25 - 44 years old and the majority of undergraduate students are women.
• One-third of OU students had one A-level or less when they started with The OU.
• 24,000 undergraduate students are on benefit or very low incomes and receive fee waivers from OU and Government financial assistance schemes.
• 10,000 students have a disability.
• More than 40,000 students are studying at postgraduate level and some 30,000 students are studying with The OU in countries outside the UK.
• The Open University is the UK's leading e-university with more than 200,000 learners connected to OU staff and fellow students. There are over 16,000 electronic conferences with more than 2,000 student moderators.
• The Open University makes a major contribution to vocational learning and professional development.
• Over 70% of Open University students remain in full-time employment throughout their studies.
• Half of all OU undergraduate students study courses in maths, science, technology and IT.
• Over 30,000 employers have sponsored their staff to study with The Open University and 25% of all British MBAs come from The Open University Business School.
• The Open University has achieved both excellence in teaching and student satisfaction and a world-class research reputation.
• The annual turnover of The Open University is in excess of £375 million.

Graph - Student Growth 1970/71 to 2006/07

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