Open University - how has it changed University Education - 05/01/2013

Why was it set up?
In an article for Where? Magazine (autumn 1962), Michael Young proposed 'an Open University' to prepare people for external degrees of London University. The BBC and the Ministry of Education were already discussing plans for a 'College of the Air', while in March 1963, a Labour Party study group under the chairmanship of Lord Taylor presented a report about the continuing exclusion from higher education of people from lower income groups. It proposed an experiment on radio and television: a 'University of the Air' for serious, planned, adult education.
- http://www.open.ac.uk/about/main/the-ou-explained/history-the-ou

When did it start?

In 1926, the educationalist and historian J C Stobart wrote a memo, while working for the infant BBC, advocating a 'wireless university'. However, it wasn’t until the early 1960s that the idea gathered steam and a number of proposals surfaced.
By May 1969 Professor Walter Perry had been appointed as The Open University's first Vice-Chancellor and he and a dozen staff were in office using the house in Belgrave Square where the Planning Committee had been meeting. Such was the urgency to get going that Perry’s small team had to write the first student prospectus before any work had begun on designing and creating the actual courses.
The OU opened to its first students – 25,000 of them - in January 1971 with a choice of four multi-disciplinary foundation courses in the arts, social sciences, science or maths.
-  http://www.open.ac.uk/about/main/the-ou-explained/history-the-ou

How was it different from other universities?
The Open University is a very different university to others. The OU degrees are exactly the same as degrees done at traditional universities however you study at your own pace and at home.
- "For example, as the pioneer of supported 'Open Learning', the OU enables you to study from home, work or even on the bus, at a time that suits you. With a wide choice of part-time courses, at a variety of levels plus several start dates, the OU offers the choice and flexibility you need. What's more, with a range of financial support available, an OU course could cost less than you think."
Also nearly all students are studying part-time. About 70 per cent of Bachelor students are in full-time employment. More than 50,000 students are sponsored by their employers for their part time studies.

www.open-university.co.uk

How many students have been taught by them?
With more than 250,000 students enrolled, including around 32,000 aged under 25 and more than 50,000 overseas students, it is the largest academic institution in the United Kingdom (and one of the largest in Europe) by student number, and qualifies as one of the world's largest universities. Since it was founded, more than 1.5 million students have studied its courses.
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_University