Rankings of The Open University

The Open University was established in 1969 in Milton Keynes, and is the largest university in the UK for undergraduate education. The OU is among the most prestigious distance-learning institutions in the United Kingdom, enjoying numerous awards and accreditations, including Triple Crown status for their Business School.

Latest ranking updates for The Open University
  • March 2024: Scimago Institutions announced latest results of Scimago Institutions Rankings with The Open University in position 715.
  • December 2023: Publication of QS World University Rankings: Sustainability. Ranking position #667.
  • October 2023: Publication of GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking (Textile Science and Engineering). Ranking position #101.
  • October 2023: The Open University ranks 101 in the latest THE World University Rankings by Subject (Business and Economics) from THE Times Higher Education, UK.
Admission advice for international students

University rankings

    • #62 
    • #601 
    THE World University Rankings
    [Published 27 September, 2023]
    • #46 
    • #770 
    US News: Best Global Universities
    [Published 24 October, 2022]
    • #38 
    • #701 
    ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 15 August, 2023]
    • #45 
    • #1158 
    CWTS Leiden Ranking
    [Published 22 June, 2022]
    • #41 
    • #715 
    Scimago Institutions Rankings
    [Published 06 March, 2024]
    • #39 
    • #817 
    CWUR Center for World University Rankings
    [Published 25 April, 2022]
    • #49 
    • #901 
    NTU Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #60 
    • #940 
    RUR World University Rankings
    [Published 25 May, 2023]
    • #41 
    • #407 
    RUR Reputation Ranking
    [Published 25 May, 2023]
    • #57 
    • #772 
    RUR Academic Rankings
    [Published 25 May, 2023]
    • #22 
    • #123 
    StuDocu World University Ranking - EMEA - Europe, the Middle East and Africa
    [Published 06 September, 2021]
    • #51 
    • #667 
    QS World University Rankings: Sustainability
    [Published 05 December, 2023]
    • #30 
    • #424 
    Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
    [Published 31 July, 2023]
    • #32 
    • #275 
    THE China Subject Ratings Overall
    [Published 11 May, 2022]

Historic rankings in TOP global university rankings

Chart Data

Subject rankings

Computer Science

    • #49 
    • #601 
    Computer Science
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]

Education

    • #14 
    • #101 
    Education
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #5 
    • #101 
    Education
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #21 
    • #151 
    Education
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

Engineering

    • #50 
    • #801 
    Engineering
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]

Law

    • #45 
    • #251 
    Law
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #25 
    • #101 
    Geography
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #65 
    • #501 
    Psychology
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #46 
    • #301 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #45 
    • #401 
    Social Sciences
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #28 
    • #201 
    Sociology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

Highest subject rankings for The Open University

Education THE World University Rankings by Subject
#101 
Education
Geography GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#101 
Social Studies & Humanities
Law THE World University Rankings by Subject
#251 
Law
Computer Science THE World University Rankings by Subject
#601 
Computer Science
Engineering THE World University Rankings by Subject
#801 
Engineering

Student Ratings for The Open University

Student satisfaction:
4.0 (based on 299 student ratings)
Google ratings:
4.0 (based on 299 student ratings)

“It’s not easy and there will always be those who make unfair comments about the OU not being a real university, but the joke’s on them. I’ve graduated with a First Class degree after 5 years of hard work and dedication, and I’m now in the job I’ve dreamed of for years.”

“Don’t expect much of a social life from this university, because students don’t meet each other in person unless they organise it themselves. If you enrol here it’s because you want to focus on your degree while you continue your usual life. I was initially worried that I wouldn’t receive the support I needed due to it being entirely online, but the teachers were prompt and helpful with their responses to my issues.

“It’s been a journey full of ups and downs but I have finally managed to get the degree I wanted, so I can say it has been worth it. I would definitely recommend the OU for those wanting to get their degree without having to rearrange their life circumstances to be able to study.”

About The Open University

PROS

  • This university focuses on online education, so it’s an excellent choice for mature or busy students who would have difficulties attending an in -person program.
  • Open University graduates look good to potential employers, because they know that students here are people who have worked hard to balance their commitments with their academic goals.
  • Despite some of the typical concerns that learners have about online programs, many agree that the correspondence from teachers is quick.

CONS

  • As the courses are online, students on the same course generally don’t meet each other. This has a negative impact on the social experience compared to traditional studies.

Key facts

Address:
Milton Keynes
England UK
Website:
https://www.open.ac.uk/
  • The International Open Diaries
  • Intl. Open Diaries | Episode 5 | Technology-enhanced learning
  • The Open University presents Finlay
  • The Open University presents Rehana

NSS Aggregate Student reviews

Below you see the results of The Open University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK universities.

Overall student satisfaction
86 /100
5490 total respondents
Chart Data
Source: National Student Survey NSS 2023. The Overall student satisfaction data point is from 2022 (latest available year). The Office for Students made the unfortunate decision to discontinue collecting overall student satisfaction data points per course.
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Student composition of The Open University

Students by level of study Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on January 2023
undergraduates:
79920
postgraduates:
3260
Total:
83180
Students by subject Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on January 2023
Psychology:
11355
Education and Teaching:
8395
Business and Management:
7210
English Studies:
5355
Engineering (Non-Specific):
5120
Law:
5100
Computing:
4960
Allied Health:
4775
Biosciences:
4465
Sociology:
4385
Mathematical Sciences:
3820
Social Policy:
3540
Languages and Area Studies :
2875
History:
2035
Nursing and Midwifery:
1890
Physics and Astronomy:
1840
Sport and Exercise Sciences:
1630
Economics:
1180
Classics:
735
Geography, Earth and Environmental Studies:
515
Philosophy:
455
Politics:
425
Creative Arts and Design:
350
Chemistry:
275
Performing Arts:
220
Theology and Religious Studies:
170
Anthropology:
120
Foreign students by nationality Academic year 2020/21 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on January 2023
United States:
30
United Arab Emirates:
20
Switzerland:
15
South Africa:
10
Canada:
10
Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China):
10
Saudi Arabia:
10
Thailand:
5
Falkland Islands:
5
Brazil:
5
Qatar:
5
Oman:
5
Australia:
5
Singapore:
5
Malaysia:
5
Japan:
5
China:
5
Cambodia:
5
Kenya:
5
Egypt:
5
Source: Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on January 2023

Map of The Open University

FAQ

The Open University ranks #82 in England UK in our meta ranking of 112 university rankings. See rankings of all 382 universities in England UK.

The Open University ranks #1 in Milton Keynes in our meta ranking. See rankings of all 3 universities in Milton Keynes.

The Open University is listed in THE World University Rankings, US News: Best Global Universities, ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking, CWTS Leiden Ranking, Scimago Institutions Rankings, CWUR Center for World University Rankings and more. See all 19 rankings of The Open University.

The Open University achieved #46 in QS Online MBA Rankings. This is the university’s highest ranking in the 112 rankings tracked on our website. See all rankings for The Open University.

The Open University achieved the highest ranking for Education. It is ranked #101 in (Education). See all subject rankings for The Open University.

A large number of university rankings include surveys among academics on reputation. In our meta ranking of 112 university rankings The Open University ranks #1 among universities in Milton Keynes and #82 among universities in England UK. See all rankings of The Open University.

In our meta ranking The Open University ranks #82 among all universities in England UK and University of Oxford ranks #1. See all rankings of universities in Milton Keynes. Apart from rankings you may also want to see the ratings from students who attended the universities.
Admission advice for international students