The Open University is a public research university in the UK focusing on flexible part-time study, supported distance, and open learning for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. If you want a globally recognized degree from Open University admissions, you must apply in the official student portal of the university. Their degrees are comparable with those awarded by other UK universities. Open University graduates are employed by numerous companies and organizations across the globe, and they are aware that an OU degree is on par academically with degrees from other British universities.
For students searching for an online MBA in UK option, this university is a great option. The Open University does not require any formal entry requirements for most of its courses. You will need to submit your academic transcripts, and ELP score certificates for most of the courses. A GMAT score of 640 or above is required for MBA admissions only, along with a minimum of three years of experience in a managerial, professional, or technical role. An IELTS score of 5.5–6.5 or TOEFL score of 87–109 submission is needed for admission in any UG and PG courses.
Are The Open University courses free? No, you have to pay the fees for the bachelor or MS in UK courses to study at the university. The annual fee range is between GBP 11,045 (INR 1,156,343.21)- 24,140 (INR 2,527,242.13). The university also charges an application, however the exact cost is not mentioned by them. The intakes for the Open University degrees are availale for three terms in the months of October, February and April. If you are also interested in The Open University free courses, then you can check the OpenLearn courses on their website. The university provides free badged courses too for interested students.
Why Study in The Open University?
To study in UK, for the Open University courses, you must be aware of its unique factors. The university is known to provide free courses to its students. Some notable points to study here are given below:
- 78% of FTSE 100 companies have sponsored students to study in the Open University
- It is reported that nearly 87% of the students are satisfied with the quality of teaching received here.
- 90% of the business graduates from in Open University are employed within 6 months of their graduation.
The Open University Rankings
It is recommended to check out the rankings of the Open University before applying. The university has been ranked by Times body. It is also considered one of the affordable universities in UK for the international students. Given below are the Open University ranking for 2024:
- #601-800 in the Times World University Rankings 2024
- #84 among all universities in England, UK by University Guru 2024
The Open University Acceptance Rate
The Open University acceptance rate for the incoming candidates is nearly 70%. It follows a moderate selective admissions policy for the students. For admissions, the eligibility for MS in UK for Indian students must be properly looked into. The enrollment statistics for the Open University application are given below:
- Total number of UG Students: 146,422
- Total number of PG Students: 11,379
The Open University Courses and Fees
Most of you have a query about what are the courses in Open University. The university offers over 200 qualifications and 400 modules. Some Open University courses include subjects like LLM, MBA, Art History, Computing, etc. The Open University cost for UG courses is GBP 20,772 (INR 2,174,642.65). You will also find the cost of Masters in UK for Indian Students in the table. The Open University degrees and their course descriptions are also tabulated for your reference.
| Course | Course Description | Annual Tuition Fee |
| B.Sc. (Honors) Accounting and Finance | This degree will equip you with not just technical skills to be able to practice accountancy or work in a finance-related field but also with academic knowledge and skills covering a wider breadth of topics that instill critical thinking, reasoning, research, and creativity skills. | GBP 20,772 (INR 2,174,642.65) |
| BA (Honors) Business Management | You’ll investigate how organizations think and work, how they’re managed, and the external world in which they operate. This includes learning about the ethical and legal responsibilities that businesses have. | GBP 20,772 (INR 2,174,642.65) |
| LLM | Students will learn about European Union Law, Law, Society and Culture, etc. | GBP 12,951 (INR 1,355,821.49) –15,240 (INR 1,595,560.27) |
| MBA | This course enables you to understand topics like finance, entrepreneurship, supply chain management, etc. | GBP 21,105 (INR 2,209,504.77)–24,140 (INR 2,527,242.13) |
| MBA (Technology Management) | This majorly focuses on technology and innovation management, creating and sustaining value, etc. | GBP 20,180 (INR 2,112,594.00) –21,440 (INR 2,244,500.27) |
| Masters in Psychology | This course will focus on the principles of social and psychological inquiry and evaluating psychology. | GBP 11,365 (INR 1,189,845.23) |
| MA Art History | You will learn about exploring the core concepts and recent developments that have shaped art history from Renaissance Italy to the contemporary Caribbean. | GBP 11,045 (INR 1,156,343.21) |
| M.Sc. Computing | Data Management, Digital Forensics, Information Security, etc. are some of the core topics covered in this course. | GBP 13,125 (INR –13,470 (INR |
| Masters in Engineering | This course helps develop a range of transferable skills, such as creative problem-solving, effective communication, project management, and concept realization. | GBP 13,199 (INR 1,381,853.69) –14,038 (INR 1,469,691.80) |
| M.Sc. Human Resource Management | Students will learn about employment relations and management, learning and development at work, and other skills. | GBP 17,805 (INR 1,863,924.19) |
| Masters in Mathematics | You will learn analytical number theory, coding theory, fractal geometry, etc. Skills that will enable you to have careers beyond mathematics, and also in computer science, engineering, economics, and finance. | GBP 11,550 (INR 1,209,116.79) |
| M.Sc. Global Development | You'll have the opportunity to explore six major issues: migration, socio-economic security, environmental sustainability, technological innovation, the global politics of development, and the politics of doing development. | GBP 13,455 (INR 1,408,542.54) |
GBP 1 = INR 105.19 as on 8th April 2024
The Open University Admissions
To apply to UK Universities, you must know the correct application process. You may be asked to pay an application fee for the Open University courses. The below process shows the steps for the Open University admission:
- Select a course
- Fill up the application form
- Provide the documents as required
- Mention the English Proficiency test scores
- Pay the application fee
- Submit the application
The Open University Admission Requirments
International candidates must meet the admission requirements to apply to the Open University. The requirments to apply to UK Universities may vary according to the level of study you are applying for. Given below are some important requirements for the the Open University degrees:
- Past educational certificates equivalent to UK Study
- Minimum 2 LOR for UK
- English Proficiency test scores of IELTS, TOEFL, PTS
- Personal Statements or SOP for UK
- UK student visa
- Valid Passport
The Open University Application Deadline
The application deadline for the academic calendar of 2024 at The Open University is tabulated below. Do not miss the deadlines for The Open University courses, as the university has no rolling admission options, neither early decision nor regular decision options. The intakes in UK for the Open University are given below:
The Open University Entry Requirements
The Open University entry requirements require students to submit a few documents like their prior educational certificates and ELP certificate. Students applying for UG courses need to submit their Standard 12 exam certificates and for PG students their bachelor's degree. For MBA applicants a minimum of three years’ experience in a managerial, professional, or technical role certificate also has to be submitted. The exams to study in UK are tabulated below for your reference. Apart from these score requirements, The Open University does not require any other additional scores for admissions.
The Open University Cost of Attendance
The Open University is located in Walton Hall, Kents Hill, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, United Kingdom. The university suggestes that you will require around GBP 3,736 (INR 3,93,000.86) as living expenses for 120 credits. The food or meal plans may differ according to the plan and type of food you are choosing. The cost of living in UK also includes the cost of accommodation, utilities, transport, etc. The university recommends all applicants to live within the campus as options of accomodation are quite wide here. Given below are the statistics for living expenses of the Opend University England:
The Open University Extracurricular Activities
The Open University also offers certain extracurricular activities to students in the best student cities of UK. You can take part in these clubs and organizations by registering your name. Given below are some clubs of the Open University:
- C. CD Library. Chess Club. OU Choir. Christian Forum
- G. Gardening Club. Go Club. Golf Society. Back to top
- O. Open Film Society. Open Theatre Group. Open Voices
- R. ROC SOC Club. Rock n Blues Society. Running Club
- S. Salsa club. Society of OU Potholers (SOUP) Squash Club
The Open University Diversity
The Open University provides a very diversified environment to its candidates. Minority students, multi ethnic students also immigrate to UK for higher studies. Given below are the diversity data for the Open University students enrolled:
The Open University Scholarships
Aspring students can also apply for the UK scholarships for Indian Students. Maximum of the Open University scholarships are awarded on merit basis to candidates. The table given below shows the Open University Scholarships for students:
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Amount |
| Open Futures Sanctuary Scholarship | Must be an international student enrolled in an undergraduate degree | Varies |
| Education Future International Scholarship | Must be enrolled in a full time course at the university | Partial tuition fees |
| Merit Scholarships | Awarded on merit basis | Varies upon the year |
| Global Citizen Scholarship | Open to all international students | Varies |
| Hydrocephalus Scholarships | Available to all international studentsAwarded on merit basis | 25% of the tuition fees |
The Open University Internships
Internships are also provided in the Open University degrees. These internships are mainly part time jobs in UK. They can be either paid or unpaid internships. Different types of internships available in the Open University are given below:
- Virtual Internship
- Paid Intenship
- Unpaid Internship
The Open University Job Outcomes
After graduating from this University, you can apply to a number of jobs in UK. Your average salary may vary according to the study area. However, you must maintain an updated CV or resume for the interviews of these jobs. Given below are the Open University jobs for international students:
| Area of Study | Average Salary |
| Bachelors | GBP 52,000 (INR 54,70,033.42) |
| Masters | GBP 77,000 (INR 80,99,857.17) |
| MBA | GBP 85,000 (INR 89,41,400.78) |
GBP 1 = INR 105.19 as on 8th April 2024
The Open University Notable Alumni
The Open University is considered on the best universities in UK for international students. This university also has famous personalities as alumni. They come from different professions. The table below shows the Open University alumni members along with their professions:
| Alumni | Profession |
| Fleur Anderson | Labour MP |
| Joan Armatrading | Singer |
| David Neilson | Actor |
| Robin Wilson | Mathematician |
| Craig Brown | Football Manager |
The Open University UK vs University of London vs University of East London vs Kingston University
We have given below a comparison table for your reference. These universities have been selected as they appear common in the search results with the Open University. The average annual fees of all these universities ranges form GBP 11,045 (INR 1,156,343.21) – GBP 12,641 (INR 13,29,744.08). The average salary you receive from these universities are also quite identical. It falls under GBP 70,000 (INR 73,63,506.52) – GBP 80,000 (INR 84,15,436.02). The Open University UK vs University of London vs University of East London vs Kingston University is tabulated below:
| Parameters | The Open University | University of London | University of East London | Kingston University |
| Ranking | #601-800 in the Times World University Rankings 2024 | #328 in QS World University Ranking 2024 | #851-900 in QS World University Ranking 2024 | #601-610 in QS World University Ranking 2024 |
| Total Number of Programs | More than 100 programs | More than 50 programs | More than 300 progams | More than 300 programs |
| Acceptance Rate | 70% | 36% | 56% | 30% |
| Exams Accepted | IELTS, TOEFL, PTE | IELTS, TOEFL, PTE | IELTS, TOEFL, PTE | IELTS, TOEFL, PTE |
| Average Annual Tuition Fees | GBP 11,045 (INR 1,156,343.21)- 24,140 (INR 2,527,242.13) | GBP 12,641 (INR 13,29,744.08) | GBP 11,400 (INR 11,99,199.63) | GBP 12,000 (INR 12,62,315.40) |
| Average Annual Salary | GBP 72,000 (INR 75,73,892.42) | GBP 78,000 (INR 82,05,050.12) | GBP 80,000 (INR 84,15,436.02) | GBP 70,000 (INR 73,63,506.52) |
The Open University is a perfect fit for you if you are searching for a flexible online or distance learning degree option in the UK. The costs are also budget friendly and the university provides 200 courses and degrees. Free online courses are also available for interested candidates. The Open University fees and important score requirements are tabulated in the article above for added reference.
FAQs
Ques: Is Open University degree recognized in UK?
Ans: Yes, Open University degrees are recognized in the UK, and are at par with other UK university degrees. Students will face no problem with the validation of the degree.
Ques: Which Open University is best in UK?
Ans: The Open University is the best online and distance learning university in the UK. The university provides students with the option of free courses.
Ques: Can I study in UK with open university?
Ans: Yes, students can study in the UK with Open University registrations, as OU is licensed as a Student Route sponsor under the points-based immigration system. This means that international students can study at the university.
Ques: Is Open University UK worth it?
Ans: A course at the Open University is a great option if you want to study while living at home or for a few years.
Ques: Do companies accept Open University degrees?
Ans: Employers value the qualifications and experience of graduates from Open Universities. This is one of the reasons that more than 1,300 employers, such as IBM, Sky, and Oxford University, routinely use their training services, and why 78% of FTSE 100 companies have sponsored their employees to study with Open University.
Ques: Do jobs accept Open University degree?
Ans: Indeed, employers recognize degrees obtained through distance learning and consider them to be equivalent to degrees earned on campus.
Ques: Is Open University UK internationally recognized?
Ans: For more than 20 years, The Open University has dedicated itself to global development. They are well known throughout the world for their teaching, industry-leading research, and innovation-promoting activities.
Ques: Is Open University degree accepted by Oxford?
Ans: Students would need to have completed, or be studying for, at least 120 points at stage 1 or above in suitable subjects to apply to Oxford.
Ques: Can I get a student visa from Open University UK?
Ans: Yes, The Open University is authorized by UK Visas and Immigration to recruit and enroll PhD students who are not citizens of the European Union.
Ques: What is the difference between Open University and a regular university?
Ans: Regular attendance in classes and lectures is mandatory for students pursuing regular degrees. On the other hand, regular attendance at classes and attendance at the same location are not prerequisites for the open degree.
Ques. Where should I apply for the Open University courses?
Ans. . If you want a globally recognized degree from Open University admissions, you must apply in the official student portal of the university.
Ques. Are GMAT scores required in the Open University?
Ans. A GMAT score of 640 or above is required for MBA admissions only, along with a minimum of three years of experience in a managerial, professional, or technical role.
Ques. Does the Open University offers scholarships to students?
Ans. Aspring students can also apply for the UK scholarships for Indian Students. Maximum of the Open University scholarships are awarded on merit basis to candidates.
Ques. Are internships availabe in the Open University?
Ans. Internships are also provided in the Open University degrees. These internships are mainly part time jobs in UK. They can be either paid or unpaid internships.
Ques. Where in the Open University located in UK?
Ans. The Open University is located in Walton Hall, Kents Hill, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, United Kingdom. The university suggestes that you will require around GBP 3,736 (INR 3,93,000.86) as living expenses for 120 credits.
