Open University

The Open University (OU) is the UK's 'open' learning university. It was established in 1969, and the first students started in January 1971.^[4] The majority of students are based in the UK, but its courses are also studied in the rest of Europe, in North and South America, in Africa and in Australasia/Asia.^[5] The administration is based at Walton Hall, Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, but has regional centres in each of its thirteen regions around the UK. The university awards undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, diplomas and certificates.

With more than 180,000 students enrolled, including more than 25,000 students studying overseas,^[6] it is the largest academic institution in the UK by student number, and qualifies as one of the world's mega universities. Since it was founded, more than 3 million students have studied its courses. It was rated top University in England and Wales for student satisfaction in the 2005^[7] and 2006^[8] UK government national student satisfaction survey.

[edit] Aims

The OU aims to provide a university education for those wishing to pursue higher education on a part-time or distance learning basis, including disabled people, who are officially a priority group within the University. The British Government asked the Open University to continue the work of the Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA) when it was dissolved. The CNAA formerly awarded degrees at the polytechnics which have since become universities.

[edit] Foundation

The Open University was founded by the Labour government of Harold Wilson, based on the vision of Michael Young (later Lord Young of Dartington). Planning commenced in 1965 under Minister of State for Education Jennie Lee, who led an advisory committee consisting of university vice-chancellors, educationalists and broadcasters.The BBC's Assistant Director of Engineering at the time, James Redmond had obtained most of his qualifications at night school, and his natural enthusiasm for the project did much to overcome the technical difficulties of using television to broadcast teaching programmes.

Walter Perry (later Lord Perry) was appointed the OU's first vice-chancellor in January 1969. The election of the new Conservative government of Edward Heath in 1970 led to budget cuts under Chancellor of the Exchequer Iain Macleod (who had earlier called the idea of an Open University "blithering nonsense"). However the OU accepted its first 25,000 students in 1971, adopting a radical open entry policy and, for a university, radical^{[citation needed]} teaching methods. At the time, the total 'traditional' University population in the UK was around 130,000.

Since its foundation, the OU has inspired the creation of many similar institutions around the world.

[edit] Students

People from all walks of life and all ages take advantage of the OU; for most courses there are no entry requirements other than the ability to study at an appropriate level, though students may be refused further registration for non-progress,^{[citation needed]} and most postgraduate courses require evidence of previous study or equivalent life experience.

Approximately 70 percent of students are in full-time employment, often working towards a first (or additional) degree or qualification to progress or change their career, with over 50,000 being sponsored by their employer. The University is also popular with those who cannot physically attend a traditional university because they are disabled (many universities have poor disabled access), abroad, in prison, serving in the armed forces, or looking after family members. About 10,000 students have disabilities.^[6]

While most of those studying are mature students, the reduction in financial support for those attending traditional universities has also led to an influx of young undergraduates to the OU. In the 2003–2004 academic year, around 20 percent of undergraduates were under 25 years old,^[9] up from 12.5 percent in 1996–1997 (the year before top-up fees were announced). The OU works with some schools to introduce A Level students to OU study.

Unlike other universities, where students register for a programme, at the OU students register separately for individual modules (which may be 10, 15, 20, 30 or 60 CATs points), and are known as 'courses' in the OU context. These courses may then be linked into degree programmes.

[edit] Teaching methods

Open University programming on the BBC in 1985.

The OU uses a variety of methods for distance learning, including written and audio materials, the internet, disc-based software and television programmes on DVD disks. Course-based television broadcasts by the BBC, which started on 3 January 1971, ceased on 15 December 2006^[10]. Materials are composed of originally-authored work by in-house and external academic contributors, and from third-party materials licensed for use by OU students. For most courses, students are supported by tutors ('Associate Lecturers') who provide feedback on their work and are generally available to them at face-to-face tutorials, by telephone, and/or on the internet. A number of short courses worth ten points are now available that do not have an assigned tutor but offer an online conferencing service (Internet Forum) where help and advice is offered through conferencing 'Moderators'.

Some courses have mandatory day schools. These are day-long sessions which a student must attend in order to pass the course. One example of such a course is the K301 - Advanced Certificate in Health Promotion - which has two mandatory day schools/workshops, focussing on communication skills, counselling and practical issues related to health promotion. Nevertheless, it is possible to seek excusal upon the basis of ill-health (or other extenuating circumstances), and many courses have no mandatory face-to-face component.

Similarly, many courses have traditionally offered week long summer schools offering an opportunity for students to remove themselves from the general distractions of their life and focus on their study for a short time. Anecdotally speaking, it seems common for students not to be keen to attend these schools whilst in retrospect they often come to appreciate the intensive tutoring they receive as well as the close and prolonged contact with other like-minded students, regarding the schools as a highlight of their Open University experience. The social life at residential schools is renowned.

In order to meet the requirements of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), however, the university has adopted a policy of removing separating residential schools from distance-taught courses. This allows students an umabiguous choice when registering for a course. Exemption from attendance at residential schools is no longer an option. (See "Undergraduate Degrees" section.)

In the 1970s, TV was typically used to provide lectures, and the image of the OU lecturer in brown 'kipper-tie' and flared corduroy trouser became something of a national icon. OU programmes are generally now much more innovative, using documentary styles.

The OU now produces mainstream television and radio programming aimed at bringing learning to a wider audience. Most of this programming, including series such as Rough Science, are broadcast at peak times, while older programming is carried in the BBC Learning Zone. But in 2004 the OU announced it was to stop its late night programmes on BBC2, and the last such programme was broadcast at 5.30am on 16 December 2006. The OU now plans to focus on mainstream programmes.

Teaching at the OU has been rated as "excellent"^[11] by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. The English national survey of student satisfaction has twice put the Open University in first place.

In October 2006 the OU joined the Open educational resources movement with the launch of OpenLearn. A growing selection of current and past distance learning course materials will be released for free access, including downloadable versions for educators to modify (under a Creative Commons licence), plus free collaborative learning-support tools.

[edit] Assessment methods

The Open University offers courses that are generally^[12] assessed using an equal weighting of examinations and coursework. The coursework component normally takes the form of two or more tutor marked assignments (TMAs) and may occasionally also includes multiple choice computer marked assignment (CMAs). The examinable component is usually a three hour paper regardless of the course size, but may also be an ECA (End of Course Assessment) which is similar to a TMA, in that it is completed at home, but is regarded as an exam for grading purposes. Course results are issued on a graded basis, consisting of pass grades 1 (threshold 85%,a distinction), 2 (70-84%), 3 (55-69%) & 4 (40-54%), and fail (below 40%). This grade is calculated from the overall continuous assessment score (OCAS) and overall examination score (OES).

These grades can be weighted according to their CAT points, and combined to calculate the classification of a degree. An undergraduate degree will weight level 3 courses twice as much as level 2, and in postgraduate programmes all M level courses are equally weighted.

[edit] Qualifications

[edit] Undergraduate

An OU undergraduate degree requires 300 credit points (360 for honours), with each course being attributed a number of points (usually 30 or 60) depending on the content in line with the UK credit accumulation transfer system. One point is generally considered to correspond to ten hours of student time (studying, attending optional lectures, and revising). Courses are also rated as levels 1, 2 or 3, roughly equating to first, second or third, and final year courses at traditional universities. Students generally do not undertake more than 60 points per year, meaning that an undergraduate degree will take at least six years to complete. With the exception of some degrees in fast moving areas (such as computing) there is generally no limit on the time which a student may take, although courses cannot be counted after a great number of years. 120 points is considered the equivalent of a year of full-time study. Students need special permission to take more than 120 points at any time;^[13] such permission is not always granted.

Many OU faculties have now introduced short courses worth ten points. Most of these courses are taught online, and start on different dates throughout the year. They typically provide an introduction to their subject studied over a period of ten weeks. A few ten-point courses consist of one-week residential schools, with preparatory work, and a follow-up assignment after the school. Some science courses, which in themselves require only home study, have such residential courses associated with them in order to allow the student to gain practical experience in that field; typically, an award of degree or diploma will require attendance at both, but it is up to the student to decide whether he or she wishes to attend them in the same year.

Different courses are run at different times of the year, but, typically, a 30 or 60 point course will run from February through to October. Assessment is by both continual assessment (with, normally, four or eight assignments during the year) plus, for most, an examination at the end. Residential courses are often timed during vacations at conventional universities in order to take advantage of their facilities.

In addition to traditional academic degrees, the OU has a number of specialist courses for industry and the professions including accountancy and the law.

[edit] Postgraduate

The Open University provides the opportunity to study for a PhD on a part time distance, or a full time on site basis in a wide range of disciplines. The university also offers a limited range of Masters levels courses, as well as the professional PGCE qualification and a number of postgraduate diplomas and certificates. The University offers "Advanced Diplomas" that involve 60 credits at undergraduate level and 60 credits at postgraduate level - these are designed as "bridges" between undergraduate and postgraduate study.

[edit] Academic Divisions

[edit] Faculties

The university has Faculties of Arts, Education & Language Studies, Health & Social Care, Law, Mathematics & Computing, Science, Social Science, Technology and a Business School. There is no School of Medicine. The faculties of Mathematics & Computing and Technology are currently in the process of being merged into a mega-faculty.

[edit] Business school

The Open University Business School is the largest provider of MBAs in the UK, producing more graduates than all the rest of the business schools in the UK put together. Its courses are recognised by AMBA, EQUIS and AACSB.

Although the majority of students at the Business School are in the UK the courses are also available throughout most of the world. Students can also study online for a Certificate or Diploma in Management and MBA programmes.

The first Diploma courses were developed from 1983, however the School did not become a separate entity until 1988; when development of the first MBA courses was started. The first MBA students were enrolled in 1989, and the School almost immediately became the largest business school in Europe.

[edit] Research

Like other UK universities, the OU actively engages in research. The OU's Planetary Sciences Research Institute has become particularly well known to the public through the Beagle 2 Mars space probe project led by Professor Colin Pillinger, head of the Institute.

The OU now employs over 500 people engaged in research in over 25 areas, and there are over 1,200 research students. It spends approximately £20 million each year on research, around £6 million from the Higher Education Funding Council for England, the remainder from external funders.

[edit] Degree ceremonies

Unlike most UK universities, degree ceremonies at the Open University are not the occasion on which degrees are formally conferred. This happens in absentia at a joint meeting of the University's Council and Senate ahead of the ceremony. The University's ceremonies –- or "Presentations of Graduates" — occur during the long summer throughout Britain and Ireland, as well as one ceremony in Versailles. These ceremonies are presided over by a senior academic at Pro-Vice-Chancellor level or higher, and have the normal ritual associated with a graduation ceremony, including academic dress, procession and mace.

[edit] Notable current and former academics

Jocelyn Bell - Astronomer
Ruth Finnegan - Anthropologist
Brian Goodwin - Biologist
Brenda Gourley - Vice-chancellor
Stuart Hall - Social Scientist
Wendy Hollway - Psychologist
Arthur Marwick - Historian
Doreen Massey - Social Scientist
Oliver Penrose - Mathematician
Mike Pentz - Physicist
Colin Pillinger - Planetary scientist
Steven Rose - Biologist
Jonathan Silvertown - Biologist
Glenn White - Astronomer
Robin Wilson - Mathematician

[edit] Notable graduates

Main article: List of Open University people

The OU has over 2 million alumni from all walks of life, including:

Craig Brown former Scotland manager ^[14]
Lenny Henry, entertainer ^[15]
Myra Hindley, serial killer ^[16]
Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of Ethiopia ^[17]

[edit] In fiction

The Open University has been featured in many film and television programmes. The plot of Educating Rita surrounds the working class character aiming to "improve" herself by studying English literature. She attends private tutorials run by alcoholic lecturer Frank. The teaching methods are not an accurate portrayal of contemporary teaching at the OU.

Television characters have also followed OU courses. These include Anne Bryce in the BBC sit-com Ever Decreasing Circles, Yvonne Sparrow in Goodnight Sweetheart, and Bulman, in the ITV spin-off from the series Strangers. Sheila Grant (Sue Johnston) was accused of having an affair with her tutor in Brookside.

Onslow, a character from Keeping up Appearances, watches Open University programming on television from time to time.

In Autumn 2006, Lenny Henry was a star in Slings and Arrows, a one-off BBC television drama which he also wrote, about someone who falls in love while on an OU English Literature course. (Henry has himself completed an OU degree in English.^[15])