The Open University UK
The Open University is the only university in the UK dedicated to distance learning. It promotes educational opportunity and social justice by providing high-quality university education to all who wish to fulfil their potential. For most courses, no previous qualifications are required to study. Nearly all students are studying part-time : about 70% of undergraduate students are in full-time employment. Most OU courses are available throughout Europe.
The University teaches through supported open learning, providing course materials in a variety of media, with personal support from a tutor, from student services staff and centralised areas such as the library and the Open University Students’ Association. It is ranked amongst the top five UK universities for the quality of its teaching, and came first in a student survey of quality of support in 2005.