The Open University (OU) is the United Kingdom's largest university and the world leader in distance education. It is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and has been integral in providing flexible education solutions in an innovative format to more than two million students across its history.
Independent authorities have consistently ranked the OU in the top five UK universities for teaching quality and virtually all of the University's research areas have received ratings of national or International excellence. OU students are more impressed with the quality of their courses and the support received than those at any other UK university, based on the findings of the National Student Survey. The OU has been at the top of the rankings every year since the survey began in 2005.