The Open University, Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes, England | Estd in 1969 | Government University
CWUR Rank : 821
About The Open University
The Open University is a public research university, established in 1969. It has more than 205,420 students enrolled and is situated in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, the United Kingdom. The Open University is the world’s first higher education distance learning institution.
The Open University is ranked 601–800th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024. Additionally, The Open University ranked 770th and 58th among the Best Global Universities and the Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom, respectively.
Candidates applying to Tulane University need to have a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Although the university has no strict GPA or entry requirement.
For non-native English speakers, Imperial College London accepts various English language tests, including TOEFL, IELTS, Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC), the Cambridge English Language Assessment, IB and more. If the applicant is applying for a full-time postgraduate course, then GMAT or GRE scores are a must as part of their application.
The Open University covers approximately 120 undergraduate courses and around 180 postgraduate courses. Some of the courses are Arts and Humanities, Business and Management, Chemistry, Criminology, Education, Engineering, Law, Psychology, and Science.
Some of the notable alumni include Graham Smith, CEO of Republic; Meles Zenawi, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia; Lenny Henry, entertainer; Robin Wilson, mathematician; and Craig Brown, football manager.
Latest Deadline at The Open University
The Open University application deadline is March 7, 2024, for the April 2024 session.
Read More: Benefits of studying in the UK
The Open University Overview
- The Open University has also formed a collaboration with the Singapore Institute of Management Open University Centre for running the Open University Degree Programme (OUDP).
- The Open University Students Association is the prime student association of the Open University for conducting all major events. It also organises various activities and meetups where students will get to meet new people and share different innovative ideas and interests.
- The Open University has also received accreditation from EQUIS, Association of MBAs (AMBA) and Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
- The business school of the Open University also ranks among the top institutes for its world-class teaching, achievement and flexibility.
- The OU ranks the list for offering higher education to students from all diversities and backgrounds.
- The Careers Scholarships Fund of the university also offers a scheme of complete scholarship to 10 successful applicants for their undergraduate education of any discipline. In addition to that, OU also has opened the Carer Bursary to support the students with their study costs.
The Open University Highlights
The Open University Ranking and Stats
The Open University is a global university and has secured its ranking at 601–800th in the 2024 World University Rankings in Times Higher Education. Furthermore, US News also ranked the university at 770th among the Best Global Universities as well as 308th among the Best Global Universities in Europe.
The university also secured its place at 58th among the Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom. The Open University ranked 667th in the QS Sustainability Ranking, along with 130th and 377th in the Europe University Rankings (Northern Europe) and Europe University Rankings in the QS Ranking 2024.
Parametric Score and Ranking 2024
| Domain | Year | Score | Rank | Rank Band |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2019 | NA | NA | 33.5–37.0 |
| Overall | 2020 | NA | NA | 35.3–38.7 |
| Overall | 2021 | NA | NA | 30.2–36.3 |
| Overall | 2022 | NA | NA | 32.0–37.9 |
| Overall | 2023 | NA | NA | 34.0–39.2 |
| Overall | 2024 | NA | NA | 37.0-41.8 |
The Open University Courses
The Open University covers approximately 120 undergraduate courses and around 180 postgraduate courses. The university also offers nearly 1,000 free courses across eight different subject areas. Some of the majors are Arts and Humanities, Business and Management, Chemistry, Criminology, Education, Engineering, Law, Psychology, Science, Social Sciences and many more.
Accreditations
The Open University Affiliated Colleges
The Open University Cost Of Living
The tuition fee at The Open University is dependent on the choice of credits and level of study, ranging from undergraduate to professional courses.
Applicants can select the course of interest during the admissions process for full information on the tuition fees along with the eligibility requirements. Studying full-time at The Open University is equivalent to studying at the same rate as a full-time course at a campus-based university. Moreover, the fees required are listed below for reference:
Tuition costs for full-time enrolment.
Credits | Cost per year | Total Cost |
Certificate of higher education (120 credits) | INR 7.3 L (£6,924) | INR 7.3 L (£6,924) |
Diploma of higher education (240 credits) | INR 7.3 L (£6,924) | INR 14.6 L (£13,848) |
Honours degree (360 credits) | INR 7.3 L (£6,924) | INR 21.9 L (£20,772) |
For Indian students, the estimated tuition cost will be nearly INR 21.9 L (£20,772) for an undergraduate honours degree, which is usually composed of 6 modules, where each module costs around INR 3.7 L (£3,462). For the postgraduate course, the tuition cost begins at INR 10.4 L (£9,800).
Is it expensive to study at the university?
The Open University is considered less expensive than other campus universities in the United Kingdom. The Open University tuition cost is three-quarters the cost of an equivalent qualification offered at a campus-based university. Which is approximately 25% less. The estimated tuition cost for Indian students will be nearly INR 21.9 L (£20,772) for an undergraduate honours degree.
The Open University Admission and Application
The open university does not have any specific entry requirements for most of the courses. However, for postgraduate courses, the GRE and GMAT test scores are compulsory. The minimum GMAT score required at the university is 640 or higher.
How to apply at The Open University?
Visit the official website of the university.
Click on the International tab.
Select the level of course the candidate is applying for.
Now, select the programme and check all the requirements.
Click on the Request Your Interest option.
Log in with the credentials shared with the registered email.
Start filling out the form and providing all the required documents.
Then, apply to the university.
Application Fee and Deadline
The Open University has not mentioned any separate application fee. The application deadline at The Open University is March 7, 2024, for the April 2024 session, and for the October 2024 session, the deadline will be notified soon (registration will open in March).
Document Requirement
Academics and transcripts record.
Personal statement
CV/Resume ( if applicable)
Evidence of English Language Proficiency
GRE and GMAT score (postgraduate course)
Interview (optional)
The Open University Scholarship
The Open University offers a diverse range of scholarships for all its students, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional-level courses. The scholarships are classified according to the course selection, the nationality of the student, and many more factors. Candidates can also apply for external scholarships and loans to support their studies.
Read More: Scholarships in the UK
The Open University Eligibility
For all non-native English speakers, the university requires evidence of their English Proficiency Test. The Open University accepts various English language tests for non-native English speakers, including TOEFL, International English Language Testing (IELTS), Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC), Cambridge English Language Assessment, and more. The following is the list of exams and their minimum score requirements at the university.
English Language Test Requirement
Exams | Minimum Scores |
GCSEs (or equivalent) | Grade 4 (formerly, grade C) |
A levels/AS levels (or equivalent) | Pass |
National Literacy Functional English, and Key Skills | Level 2 |
IELTS | 5.5–6.5 |
International Baccalaureate | English Language A1, Standard level Grade 5 or Higher Level Grade 4 |
TOEFL | 87-109 |
TOEIC | Listening (400), Reading (385), Speaking (160), and Writing (150) |
Certificate in English Language | Intermediate |
Business English Certificate (BEC) | Intermediate |
Cambridge English Language Assessment | First Certificate in English |
The Open University Campus Life
Students who believe that studying remotely entails solitude should reconsider. They will have access to the largest student body in the UK when they study at the Open University.
In addition to having access to the OU's Career and Employability Services throughout the duration of their academic careers as well as for three years following graduation, students can select from more than 200 qualifications and 400 courses.
Since three-quarters of Open University students study and work, their classes are designed to fit around their busy schedules.
The Open University student life is top-notch, as 86 percent of their former students say that taking classes from them helped them reach their professional objectives, even though they are the only distance learning university to study in UK.
The university provides support for OU community students even though it offers distance learning courses. There will be specific forums for each module the students are studying. They can always use them to ask for some advice when they're stuck, even though the students will usually use them to discuss issues related to their curriculum or finish group work. Students will also have access to a student support team. Other services include:
- Accessible study materials.
- Specialist equipment.
- Tailored assessment.
- Residential schools provide support.
- Additional support is needed for accessing tutorials and day schools.
- Financial help.
The Open University Campus Facilities
Library
The Walton Hall campus Library Building at the university offers a variety of tools and amenities for students to utilise throughout the week, including reserved conference rooms and quiet study areas. A center for the cross-faculty community, it also serves as home to the recently constructed Postgraduate Research Student Common Room.
Alumni Associations
The University presented its highest-achieving students and outstanding alumni with achievement awards. Students are recognized for their outstanding achievement in a specific module or qualification. Alumni are recognized for using the learning from their qualifications to make a difference in their organization, community, or society.
Sports
Students can participate in a number of club activities throughout the week, including tabletop games, choir, ultimate frisbee, dance, martial arts, and music clubs. Additionally, The Open University provides facilities also included as tennis courts, squash courts, football fields, and cricket grounds. Additionally, there are more than 40 groups available on campus. They provide everything, including movies and badminton.
Transport Facility
Getting around Milton Keynes is simple thanks to the city's free on-campus parking lots, which include electric vehicle charging stations, road-free cycleways, or "redways," and public walkways. Additionally, there are lots of places to rent bicycles and electric bikes all across Milton Keynes, even on the OU campus. Excellent rail connections are available from Milton Keynes to London and other destinations. Milton Keynes is only 50 miles from London, Oxford, and Cambridge, and 70 miles from Birmingham if students desire to venture farther afield. London Luton Airport is about 25 miles distant from international travel.
Cafeteria
Groups of research students gather there frequently throughout the day; in nice weather, they may sit outside with paninis and coffee on the lovely Mulberry lawn. The Hub is a terrific, active on-campus café owned by The Open University. Hot beverages and sweets are offered at the welcoming Barista Bar. A few metres from the Hub Restaurant, they also operate a stand-alone campus store where they sell drinks, sandwiches, pantry basics, and OU merchandise.
The Open University International Office Details
According to The Open University, anybody should have access to a top-notch university education. Therefore, the university can help students open up about their futures, wherever they are in the world.
Nearly 81,570 students enrol at The Open University for full-time courses, out of which 8% are international students. The university accepts applications from more than 180 countries. The university stands to provide the best academic support to international students, offering various courses for distance learning or even online courses. 80% of OU students use student loans to pay for their education.
Is it hard to get into university as an international student?
The Open University has no specific minimum entry requirements. Students with good academic performance, well-maintained GPAs and other requirements can easily secure admission at the university. For international applicants, the university also requires English-language test scores.
The Open University Accommodation
Many of the accommodation options in Milton Keynes are conveniently close to the university. Although the university doesn't provide on-campus accommodation, they do have an accommodation counsellor that can guide the students through the procedure.
The Open University Gallery
Gallery
FAQ's
The Open University has many free programmes. Open University qualifications consist of a series of modules in which every module has a separate fee, which is further added together according to the duration of the courses to provide the total cost. Candidates can fund their modules as they study them, which means the students won't have to pay for their whole qualification upfront.
The open university has a flexible approach to study, which means candidates can easily secure admission virtually from anywhere in the world. However, they have to provide certain entry requirements as per the departmental needs of the English language. although Open University has no specific minimum entry requirements.
The Open University degree has the same value as any top UK university. Many graduates from the university are selected worldwide for employment. The degrees from OU also come under only three UK higher education institutions to gain accreditation in the United States.