AccessHE Competitors

The Open University is an expert in flexible higher education that fits around your working life. We don’t make you choose between a degree and a salary – more than 76% of our students are in full or part time work, while 86% FTSE 100 companies have funded staff on OU courses. Employers including IBM, The Metropolitan Police, Unilever and many more recognise the value for money we provide, while students appreciate the range of affordable routes we offer. As a result, we are the largest academic institution in the UK, with nearly 180,000 current undergraduates, postgraduates and students on validated programmes - plus almost 1.8 million who have studied with us since our foundation in 1969. When you join the OU, you gain a vast international network of support from university staff, alumni and fellow students (including more than 15,000 overseas) with a truly global reach. Wherever you are based, we offer flexible study with structure and support and we have been rated in the top ten UK universities for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey since its foundation in 2005. Our commitment to distance learning and access to education enables us to cater for the widest range of students - not only those who are in paid work but also the retired, those returning to education, registered carers, single parents and more disabled people than any other UK-based university. Flexible, affordable, respected and connected. Don’t take our word for it: Listen to what our students say at www.youtube.com/user/OUlife or click on the ‘Recommendations’ tab at the top of this page.

FutureLearn is a global learning platform with a mission to transform access to education by offering top online courses from the world’s leading universities and brands. From online degrees, microcredentials to short courses, we offer accredited and unaccredited world-class education that is 100% online, on-demand, and social. Our courses allow learners to unlock highly skilled new career paths, and empower themselves to change the world.

IntoUniversity is an award-winning educational charity providing long-term support to young people facing disadvantage through a network of local learning centres. Based in the heart of local communities, we work closely with families, schools, universities, and employers to help young people break down barriers to success. Our innovative programme supports young people aged seven and above to nurture their ambitions, achieve their academic potential, develop vital skills, and gain experience of the world of work. Since 2002, IntoUniversity has grown from a single centre in west London to 40+ centres across England and Scotland, strategically located in areas of high inequality and educational underachievement. Through strong partnerships and long-term relationships, we create lasting impact and widen access to Higher Education and future careers.