The Open University
About The Open University
Basic information and contact details for The Open University
The Open University (OU), headquartered in Milton Keynes, England, was the world’s first higher education distance learning institution.
With a mission to be ‘open to people, places, methods and ideas’, the university was founded to give those who had missed out on attending traditional universities, the opportunity to experience high quality degree-level learning.
It dates back to 1964, when former leader of the Labour Party, Harold Wilson, made it a general election manifesto pledge. When Wilson was elected Prime Minister, he tasked Minister for the Arts, Jennie Lee, with overseeing the delivery of the project. In 1965, a committee of educationalists, university vice-chancellors and television broadcasters was formed and in 1969, the OU was launched.
With almost 200,000 registered students, the OU is the largest academic institution in the UK and, apart from a small number of post-graduate research students, most OU students study off-campus.
It has a network of more than 5,000 tutors and uses communications technology to deliver teaching and assessment. The OU also run group tutorials, day schools and residential summer schools. Since its inception it has welcomed over 1.8 million students.
The university boasts a longstanding partnership with the BBC, co-producing up to 25 TV and radio series a year (recent examples include: Britain's Great War, Wartime Farm, Stargazing Live and Bang Goes the Theory).
The OU is a cultural institution in its own right, having featured in the plot lines of several British radio and TV series, such as The Archers, Brookside, Birds of a Feather and Life on Mars, while the award-winning actress Julie Walters’ first major film role was playing an OU student alongside Michael Caine in Educating Rita.
It is also one of only a few universities to have won the quiz show University Challenge on more than one occasion (in 1985 and 1999).
Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, broadcaster Anna Ford and the actress Glenda Jackson are among a host of well-known names who have tutored for the OU.
Rankings
Select the type of rankings below to see stats
Impact Rankings
Select the type of ranking below to see stats
Discover similar universities
Find out more about studying, research and jobs at these universities
suggested
Key Student Statistics
A breakdown of student statistics at The Open University
- Student gender ratio
- 67 F : 33 M (1)
- International student percentage
- 9% (1)
- Students per staff
- 22.7 (1)
- Student total
- 70690 (1)
Based on data collected for the (1) World University Rankings 2026
Jobs you might be interested in
You may want to explore jobs from other universities which are relevant to you
See all
Post Doctoral Researcher, School of Celtic Studies
Maynooth University
Ireland, Maynooth
Maynooth University
Ireland, Maynooth
Department: School of Celtic Studies Vacancy ID; 040824 Closing Date: 16-Apr-2026Maynooth University is committed to a strategy in which the primary University goals of excellent research and scholarship and outstanding education are interlinked and equally valued. We are seeking an experienced postdoctoral researcher for the research project DiAgnostic – Tracing Diatopic Variation in a Corpus of Old Irish. This project is conducted with the financial support of an Advanced Laureate Award from Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland under Grant number IRCLA/2023/ 2124 and is led by Professor David Stifter. DiAgnostic aims at making methodological progress in trying to answer the question if the Early Irish language, especially in its Old Irish form, showed regional diversification, i.e. dialects. We expect to make a significant contribution to the description and the understanding of the development of the Early Irish language and of its sociohistorical context, including implications for its prehistory. Work is carried out primarily within the discipline of historical linguistics with a strong emphasis on methods of digital humanities, but other aspects of linguistics such as syntactic theory, sociolinguistics, and the philology of Early Irish texts play a role as well. The position of the postdoctoral researcher will involve adding data to the project database Corpus PalaeoHibernicum (CorPH), in particular with regard to filling gaps among the major contemporaneous sources of Old Irish, as well as assisting in and contributing to other project deliverables. Salary: Post Doctoral Researcher (2026): €46,805 p.a. pro-rata (Point 1) Appointments will be made in accordance with public sector pay provisions. Closing Date: 23:30hrs (local Irish time) on Thursday 16th April 2026. Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time specified above. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system. Late applications will not be accepted. Maynooth University is an equal opportunities employer The position is subject to the Statutes of the University
Salary
€46,805 p.a. pro-rata
Posted
6 Apr 2026
Robotics Engineer (Embodied AI Applications) - LYB3
Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT)
Singapore
Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT)
Singapore
Role Overview As a University of Applied Learning, SIT works closely with industry in our research pursuits. Our research staff will have the opportunity to be equipped with applied research skill sets that are relevant to industry demands while working on research projects in SIT. The SIT Centre for Intelligent Robotics is a strategic capability centre under RoboPrecinct@Punggol Digital District (PDD), responsible for developing and maintaining the core applied robotics and embodied AI capabilities required for precinct-level deployment of robotic systems. The centre is seeking a Robotics Engineer. This role is application-driven and system-oriented, focusing on the implementation, adaptation, and evaluation of state-of-the-art robotics algorithms on real robotic platforms. The successful candidate will work closely with physical robots and simulation environments to translate recent advances in learning-based robotics into robust, deployable systems. Key Responsibilities Implement, adapt, and evaluate state-of-the-art learning-based methods for robotic perception, decision-making, navigation, and manipulation. Apply reinforcement learning, imitation learning, and other skill learning frameworks to practical robotic applications. Integrate learning-based robot skills with full robot software stacks in ROS / ROS 2 environments. Develop and maintain perception and state representation pipelines using RGB-D and 3D sensing. Conduct simulation-to-real (Sim2Real) workflows, including data collection, model training, deployment, and testing on physical robots. Support system-level experimentation, benchmarking, and iterative improvement of embodied AI applications. Provide mentorship to undergraduate students in projects. Carry out risk assessment, and ensure compliance with Work, Safety and Health Regulations. Prepare technical documentation, reports, and implementation guides to support knowledge transfer and long-term maintainability. Contribute to publications and technical notes to disseminate research outcomes. The employee is to communicate with any internal or external stakeholders to ensure project deliverables are met. Any other adhoc duties assigned by supervisor. Requirements Bachelor’s degree or higher in Robotics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Control Engineering, or a related field. Hands-on experience with deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow. Working knowledge of reinforcement learning, imitation learning, or learning-based control concepts. Familiarity with robotics simulation tools such as Gazebo, Isaac Lab, or MuJoCo. Practical experience with ROS or ROS 2 for real-robot software integration. Proficiency in Python and C++, with experience developing and maintaining production-level code. At least 2 years of experience in robotics research or industry projects. Preferred Skillsets (Advantageous) Experience working with mobile manipulators, humanoid robots, or quadruped robots. Exposure to motion planning, control frameworks, or whole-body control systems. Experience with real-world robot experimentation and deployment. Experience with embodied AI and robot manipulation benchmarking platforms such as LIBERO, ManiSkill, or RLBench is highly desirable. Knowledge of GPU architectures, GPU cloud computing services, and strong familiarity with Linux operating systems. Knowledge of BIM, universal scene description and scene composition Knowledge of physics and simulation parameters, as well as sensor simulation pipeline.
Salary
Competitive
Posted
6 Apr 2026
MOE START Scheme (Early Career Awards) - Engineering
Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT)
Singapore
Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT)
Singapore
At the heart of SIT’s mission is to nurture industry-ready graduates equipped with deep technical expertise and transferable skills to tackle tomorrow’s challenges. SIT collaborates with industry in our education, while benefitting them with our talent supply and collaborative research achievements. The University’s unique applied learning pedagogy integrates work and study, embedding authentic learning experiences within real-world environments. Through strategic partnerships forged by our faculty with industry, learners bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application in and out of the classroom. Such active & authentic learning opportunities ensures graduates step into their careers with applicable skills and competence. In research, SIT faculty aims to bridge knowledge creation and utilisation. Our faculty collaborates closely with industry on translational research and innovation with focus on addressing pertinent industry challenges to impact businesses. The Singapore Teaching and Academic Research Talent (START) Scheme is co-funded by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and SIT to encourage and support outstanding young Singaporeans interested in pursuing an academic career at SIT. The Early Career Awards (ECA) are designed to support Singaporeans who have recently completed their postdoctoral training and prepare them for an academic career at SIT. This award aims to enhance the teaching capabilities of the recipient and help build a strong research portfolio. Eligibility and Selection Criteria Singapore Citizen Recently completed postdoctoral training Excellent academic record plus a high degree of proficiency and motivation for a research area that is strongly aligned with SIT’s supported areas Strong passion for teaching, research and an academic career Benefits Awardees may receive research grants to help build a competitive research portfolio. Upon completion of the award, awardees will be considered for Assistant Professorship. Awardees will also be assigned a faculty mentor for the duration of the scheme. Application Process Applications are open throughout the year. Applications received before 15 January 2026 will be considered for intake 2026. Interview by the respective clusters for shortlisted applicants will be conducted throughout the year. Final Interview by Panel for shortlisted applicants will take place from March to April 2026. Awards for intake 2026 will be finalised by July 2026. Supported Areas for START Engineering Energy Resilience: Power electronic converters for distributed energy resources and microgrids; High voltage DC transmission and distribution components and systems; Electric propulsions systems for land, sea and air; Wide bandgap solid-state protective devices. Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering & Maintenance: Construction technology, Tunnel engineering, Integrated BIM for Civil and MEP design optimisation; Non-destructive testing and prognostic maintenance for infrastructure life extension. Sustainable Maritime Engineering: Ship design and optimisation towards maritime decarbonisation; maritime battery room design for safety; intelligent ship and operations; autonomous vessels and systems.
Salary
Competitive
Posted
6 Apr 2026
Assistant Professor/Lecturer in Spanish and Latin American Studies
Maynooth University
Ireland, Maynooth
Maynooth University
Ireland, Maynooth
Department: Modern Languages, Literatures & Cultures Vacancy ID: 040803 Closing Date: 30-Apr-2026 We are seeking an excellent academic to join our staff as an Assistant Professor/Lecturer in Spanish and Latin American Studies The person appointed will have a proven record of teaching, research and publication, appropriate to career stage. They will be expected to make a strong contribution to the teaching programme of the Department and undertake teaching duties on the Department’s undergraduate and postgraduate programmes as well as the supervision of Master’s and PhD students. The appointee will be expected to build a strong research profile, that supports the University’s research strategy including affiliating to the Research Institutes, where appropriate and working with colleagues on national and international research. We are interested in receiving applications from candidates with a PhD and a strong research profile in any area of Latin American literary/cultural studies. The successful candidate will be expected to sustain and conduct research, engage in scholarship of quality and substance and generate publications of international standard. Assistant Professor / Lecturer (2026) Salary Scale: €65,401 – €103,564 p.a. (7 points) Assistant Lecturer (2026) Salary Scale: €42,599 - €72,718 p.a. (14 points) Appointments will be made in accordance with public sector pay provisions. Closing Date: 23:30hrs (local Irish time) on Thursday, 30th April 2026 Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time specified above. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system. Late applications will not be accepted. Maynooth University is an equal opportunities employer The position is subject to the Statutes of the University
Salary
€42,599 - €103,564 p.a.
Posted
6 Apr 2026
Research Fellow, School of Social Sciences
The University of Western Australia
Australia, Perth
The University of Western Australia
Australia, Perth
Collaborate with project researchers and specialists on a range of materiality studies. Complete three months of rock art fieldwork each year. Full-time appointment on a fixed term basis for 4 years. Base salary range: Level B, $118,150 – $139,812 p.a. plus 17% superannuation. About the area The School of Social Sciences offers a rich learning and research environment spanning social and cultural studies in Australia and the world. The School supports undergraduate, postgraduate and research programs in seven Departments: Anthropology, Archaeology, Geography, Languages, Communication, Political Science and International Relations. The academic staff members are not only dedicated teachers but also internationally renowned scholars and researchers who are experts in their field. Archaeology has a vibrant research culture with internationally recognised researchers in a range of areas such as the archaeology of Indigenous Australia, rock art, heritage studies and maritime archaeology. The Archaeology Department teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses in archaeology and forensics. The Centre for Rock Art Research + Management (CRAR+M) is a UWA Centre of Research Excellence with a collaborative research program with multiple Aboriginal communities and other stakeholders to enhance rock art research and management within Western Australia. Pilbara Dreaming: Rock Art, Water and Heritage Futures will demonstrate the critical role that Pilbara rock art has in the peopling and maintenance of the arid zone of Australia, from 50,000 years ago to the present. The interconnectivity of creation stories, art and water provides a unique lens on intergenerational knowledge transmission and cultural connections. The Pilbara’s mineral wealth is crucial to Australia’s economy, yet there is no heritage conservation strategy to protect this region’s cultural assets. This collaboration with Aboriginal Traditional Owners will reform policy and lead to improved conservation of heritage places of global significance. About the opportunity Make a significant contribution to understanding diachronic and synchronic symbolic behaviours at the national level. Key responsibilities include synthesis of background literature, participation in the schedule of fieldwork with 12 native title groups with a focus on rock art documentation, mobilise research content as part of the research team and develop stand-alone and collaborative research outputs around materiality and style, pigment recipes and dating. Work with support and guidance from senior Research Collaborators, and contribute to workshops, community meetings with Traditional Owners and Rangers, and develop co-presentations and publications. About you PhD in Archaeology specialising in rock art. A strong track record of excellence in research at a national level evidenced by a series of peer-reviewed journal articles published in high quality journals. Experience with FileMaker and Fulcrum data collection software and Adobe Lightroom for processing of photographic imagery collected during fieldwork. Experience with data analysis using software such as R for statistical analysis, including spatial statistics, 14C calibration, and site pattern recognition. Commitment to increasing Aboriginal peoples’ roles managing their own heritage. Note: Employment checks will include information on gender-based violence, sexual harassment, and related misconduct to meet legal obligations. A “C” class driver’s licence, 4WD off-road driving certificate, and Remote First Aid Certificate will be required by the successful applicant. Position description: PD - Research Fellow (523059).pdf To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Jo McDonald at jo.mcdonald@uwa.edu.au How to apply Please apply online via the Apply Now button and address the selection criteria in your submission in a separate document. For information to assist you with compiling statements to answer the selection criteria, please visit Addressing the selection criteria. You may submit a statement describing any personal circumstances relevant to your application. This can include academic/professional interruptions or achievements relative to opportunity. Closing date: 11:55 PM AWST on Friday, 1 May 2026. This position is open to international applicants. Benefits Flexible working options. Generous paid leave including parental leave. Up to 17% employer paid superannuation. Salary packaging available. Incremental progression based on 12 months continuous service. Discounted UWA course fees. Discounted health insurance. Employee Assistance Program. About the University The University of Western Australia (UWA) is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and a member of the prestigious Australian Group of Eight research intensive universities. With a strong research track record, vibrant campus and working environments, supported by the freedom to innovate and inspire, there is no better time to join Western Australia’s top university. Learn more about us. Our commitment to inclusion and diversity UWA is committed to a diverse workforce and an equitable and inclusive workplace. We are committed to fostering a safe environment for all, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQA+ community, and people living with disability. If you require any reasonable adjustments, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application. Alternatively, you can contact us for assistance during the recruitment process. If you have queries relating to your application, please contact the individual named in the advertisement. Alternatively, please contact the Talent team at people@uwa.edu.au with details of your query. To enable a quick response, please include the 6-digit job reference number.
Salary
$118,150 – $139,812 p.a. plus 17% superannuation
Posted
2 Apr 2026
Subjects Taught at The Open University
See below for a range of subjects taught at The Open University
Arts and Humanities
- Art, Performing Art and Design
- History, Philosophy and Theology
- Languages, Literature and Linguistics
Business and Economics
- Accounting and Finance
- Business and Management
- Economics and Econometrics
Computer Science
- Computer Science
Education Studies
- Education
Engineering
- General Engineering
Law
- Law
Life Sciences
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Biological Sciences
- Sport Science
Medical and Health
- Other Health
Physical Sciences
- Chemistry
- Geology, Environmental, Earth and Marine Sciences
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Physics and Astronomy
Psychology
- Psychology
Social Sciences
- Politics and International Studies
- Sociology