The Open University
(OU)
About
The Open University (OU) is a public research university and the largest university in the United Kingdom by number of students. The majority of the OU's undergraduate students are based in the United Kingdom and principally study off-campus; many of its courses can also be studied anywhere in the world. There are also a number of full-time postgraduate research students based on the 45 ha (110-acre) university campus at Walton Hall in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, where they use the staff facilities for research, as well as more than 1,000 members of academic and research staff and over 2,500 administrative, operational and support staff.
Ranking Overview
LatestRanked Top 678 worldwide across 4 major ranking systems
Ranked in 33 subject rankings
QS
THE
ARWU
US News
Key Facts
- Students
- 70,690
- Student-Staff Ratio
- 22.7 : 1
- Int'l Students
- 9%
- Female : Male
- 67 : 33
Historical Trend
Longitudinal View
QS
THE
ARWU
US News
Top Subjects
Best-performing areasSubject Rankings
Detailed breakdownARWU
12 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Administration | 24 | 136.9 | 2025 |
| Geography | 101-150 | - | 2025 |
| Education | 101-150 | - | 2025 |
| Earth Sciences | 151-200 | - | 2025 |
| Law | 151-200 | - | 2025 |
| Sociology | 151-200 | - | 2025 |
| Communication | 151-200 | - | 2024 |
| Political Sciences | 301-400 | - | 2024 |
| Business Administration | 301-400 | - | 2019 |
| Computer Science & Engineering | 401-500 | - | 2019 |
| Human Biological Sciences | 401-500 | - | 2022 |
| Psychology | 401-500 | - | 2021 |
QS
10 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Education & Training | =96 | 70.1 | 2026 |
| Development Studies | 101-150 | - | 2026 |
| Geography | 151-200 | - | 2020 |
| Geology | 151-200 | - | 2021 |
| Linguistics | 201-250 | - | 2026 |
| Philosophy | 201-225 | - | 2026 |
| English Language & Literature | 251-300 | - | 2021 |
| Social Sciences & Management | 451-500 | - | 2020 |
| Arts & Humanities | 501-550 | - | 2025 |
| Computer Science & Information Systems | 651-700 | - | 2026 |
THE
11 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | 126–150 | 49.6 | 2026 |
| Law | 301–400 | 24.7 | 2026 |
| Social Sciences | 401–500 | 34.6 | 2026 |
| Arts & Humanities | 401–500 | 27.4 | 2026 |
| Psychology | 501–600 | 28.2 | 2026 |
| Computer Science | 601–800 | 30.0 | 2026 |
| Life Sciences | 601–800 | 29.3 | 2026 |
| Physical Sciences | 601–800 | 32.8 | 2026 |
| Business & Economics | 601–800 | 28.8 | 2026 |
| Clinical & Health | 801–1000 | 22.9 | 2026 |
| Engineering & Technology | 1001–1250 | 21.4 | 2026 |