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The Open University

The Open University. Denise Bates Assistant Director, Widening Participation The OU in London September 2007. Why Choose the OU?. Quality One of the top 5 Universities in the UK for teaching quality

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The Open University

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  1. The Open University Denise Bates Assistant Director, Widening Participation The OU in London September 2007

  2. Why Choose the OU? Quality • One of the top 5 Universities in the UK for teaching quality (Sunday Times University Guide 2004: 86% of our subject departments were rated ‘excellent’) • Ranked top in the UK for student satisfaction (National Student Survey in 2005; 2006 and 2007 – the OU had the highest overall student satisfaction marks) • Our course materials are internationally recognised as being of outstanding quality • Over 2.5 million students since 1971

  3. Why Choose the OU? Unique • Open entry – no previous qualifications are needed • Courses are free of charge for students receiving state benefits/ low incomes • Flexible modular degree structure: Certificates and Diplomas along the way to a degree • Study at home with the support of a tutor who also works from home • Plan study around work and family commitments • Most courses include face-to-face teaching sessions (not compulsory to attend)

  4. Why Choose the OU? What is it like being an OU student? • Course materials posted to the student’s home • Telephone, email and face-to-face contact with your tutor • You are in a group with other students doing the same course – meet them at OU study centres where group tutorials are held (22 venues across London) • You have a study calendar to follow and send a completed assignment to your tutor once a month

  5. Why Choose the OU? What to Study? • Full range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses (about 600 courses) • Openings Courses – short ‘taster HE’ courses which give 10 credit points towards a degree • 60 credit points for a Certificate; 120 points for a Diploma; 240-360 points for a degree, includes Foundation Degrees • Most students study one 60 point course each year

  6. Arts and Humanities Business and Management Childhood and youth studies Education Engineering and Technology English Law Environment and International Studies Health and Social Care IT and computing Mathematics Modern Languages (French, German, Italian and Spanish) Psychology Science Social science Sport and Fitness The subjects we offer

  7. A unique way of teaching:Supported Open Learning

  8. Who studies with the OU? Everyone! • Lower age limit reduced from 18 to 16 (co-signed by parent; proactive Adviser contact) • More younger students: 20-25% of undergraduate students are under 25 (see next slide) • No upper age limit • A very diverse community of students – from every kind of background • About 70% of OU students are in paid employment

  9. 9,000 8162 7925 7658 8,000 7464 7187 7,000 5903 6,000 5484 4751 5,000 3921 3609 3600 4,000 3283 3178 2972 2739 3,000 2160 2100 2,000 1085 865 710 1,000 0 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 under 21 21 to 24 Younger Students • The number of under 21 year olds has increased every year for 10 years and by 21% from 2004/5 to 2005/6

  10. The Open University – the national university • The OU has its headquarters in Milton Keynes • There are 13 Regional Centres in the UK • The London regional centre is in Camden Town • Regional Centres: manage local external development activity; appoint and support tutors; and provide in-depth pre-entry advice and guidance; and ongoing learner support

  11. The Tutor’s perspective • The role of the OU Associate Lecturer • Electronic support and communication • What happens in OU ‘tutorials’ • The Openings model And finally….. • www.open.ac.uk/courses • www.open.ac.uk/openlearn d.p.bates@open.ac.ukc.m.lim@open.ac.uk

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