Open University

The Open University (OU) is the British 'open' learning university, established in 1969. The majority of students are based in the UK however its courses are also studied in the rest of Europe, in Africa and the Far East. The administration is based at Walton Hall, Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire although it has offices in each of its thirteen regions around the UK. It awards undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, diplomas and certificates.

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 Ashridge, who lead an advisory committee consisting of university vice-chancellors, educationalists and broadcasters.

Related Topics:
Labour - Government - Harold Wilson - Michael Young - 1965 - Minister of State for Education - Jennie Lee Ashridge

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Walter Perry (later Lord Perry) was appointed the OU's first vice-chancellor in January 1969. A new Conservative Heath government in 1970 led to the 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 teaching methods. The total 'traditional' University population in the UK was around 130,000.

Related Topics:
Walter Perry - 1969 - Conservative - Heath - 1970 - Chancellor of the Exchequer - Iain Macleod - 1971

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

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