Open University

History

The Open University was founded in September 1984 – Queen Beatrix conducted the official opening – when the first students enrolled. However, the university has a prior history dating back to the beginning of the seventies. The term ‘lifelong learning’ was already used by Minister Marga Klompé during the government of 67-71, as a ‘contribution to the formation of conscious and responsible people’.

Education

As a publicly funded university, the Open Universiteit has been assigned a unique role within the higher education system of the Netherlands. Openness is ingrained within its DNA; it stands for the continuous study, improvement and development of new teaching methods and techniques, along with sharing knowledge and experience.

Research

OU scientific research is developing rapidly and is firmly embedded in a network of professionals within the different areas of expertise and in close collaboration with several external partners

Open University Key Statistics & Highlights

#701 Ranking
60 Scholarships

Open University Overview

Open University Scholarships

Master Bachelor PhD

Open University Scholarships

Below you will find scholarships related to Open University. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.

Fulbright U.S. Student Program

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U.S. government

Location not available

Mundus MAPP EMJM Scholarship

Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Mundus MAPP

Location not available

ServiceScape Scholarship

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ServiceScape

Location not available

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The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States

Location not available

Read more about eligibility

ACES Education Fund

Location not available

Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program

Need-based

Read more about eligibility

Japan Gov’t/World Bank

Location not available

The Rick Blight Leadership in Action Scholarship for Athletes

Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Canadian Men’s Health Foundation

Location not available

Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility

Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation

Location not available

Headway’s Book Lovers Scholarship

Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Headway

Location not available

Moving Mates Scholarship

Need-based

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Moving Mates

Location not available

Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships

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ACU (The Association of Commonweath Universities)

Location not available

Study a Master's in Europe Scholarship

Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

educations.com

Location not available

Jewish Heritage Scholarship

Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Diamant Gerstein

Location not available

Women Scholarship for International Students

Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

educations.com

Location not available

Kreditkortlistan Financial Scholarship

Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Enkla Media - Kreditkortlistan

Location not available

$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship

Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

IvyPanda

Location not available

CryptoRunner Scholarship

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CryptoRunner

Location not available

The Bill Walsh Scholarship

Merit-based

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ACES: The Society for Editing

Location not available

Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest

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Ayn Rand Institute

Location not available

Dream Chaser Scholarship

Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Salvado Law

Location not available

View more available scholarships

Complete overview of scholarships

Open University Student Reviews & Awards

4.6

Based on 26 reviews

5 Star

17 Reviews
4 Star

8 Reviews
3 Star

1 Review
2 Star

0 Reviews
1 Star

0 Reviews

5/5

Great (so far)

My course officially starts Feb 2023 but, speaking as a soon-to-be student, the whole enrolment process has been very smooth and couldn't have been easier. I've selected the modules that I'll be studying and have explored the "StudentHome" section which contains lots of interesting features for connecting with students who are enrolled on the same course. So far, so good.

Posted by Matthew

Studied from Unknown

Posted on Aug 2023

5/5

Business marketing (BA) The Open University

I would definitely recommend The Open University to anyone considering university. The concept of distant learning is something that I was personally drawn to and the absolute flexibility of the courses. Usually I see University student struggling to juggle jobs and home life duties around their learning and sometimes it’s not always possible. With the Open University you can choose the amount of modules and credits that you’ll be able to complete from as little as 30 to 120 a year. My course specifically, is something I’ve enjoyed. Being able to pick my modules really interested me as I’m able to focus on subjects I’m interested in. The tutors are amazing people who are only an email away to help with any struggles. Tutor forums and live online seminars are a great way to communicate with students and teachers about your subject. The Open University is something In which I will be pleased to recommend and I can’t wait to see what the next years of studying brings.

Posted by Anonymous

Studied from Unknown

Posted on Aug 2023

4/5

Self-study Geology degree

Life studying at the Open University can be hard and very lonely, even with your tutor and peers to help. The self-study aspect is tough. Many things such as in-depth explanations to formual are not there or content approach can be outdated. Saying this the course is very enjoyable overall especially as it considers with paleontology that I like to undertake as a hobby.

Posted by Jodi

Studied from Unknown

Posted on Aug 2023

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Open University Rankings

Study Portals Meta Ranking

Top 21.7% Netherlands

Top 9.6% Worldwide

Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.

Academic Ranking of World Universities

701

By Shanghai Jiao Tong University

The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.

ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.

3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities

2022	2023	2024
-	-	701

We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.

More rankings and student reviews

Open University Campus Locations

#1 Main Campus

Netherlands Country

Heerlen City

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