OU partnerships and distance learning

The Open University partners with further education colleges around the UK to maximise opportunities and pathways for learners in post-18 education. This includes quality-assuring and validating higher education programmes delivered by those local colleges without degree-awarding powers.

However, students do not need to be able to reach any classroom to study with the OU, which is a world-leader in developing distance learning through online, on-demand courses and even remote practical experiments.

This allows higher education to reach even those areas where there are almost no other educational opportunities, such as prisons where those at risk of become NEET on release can gain qualifications and even attend graduation ceremonies.