The only university in the United Kingdom to focus entirely on distance learning, the Open University is open to any applicant regardless of qualifications and offers a large amount of courses to choose from. 70 percent of students complete courses while in full time employment, and as of May 2010 there are 150,000 students undertaking undergraduate study with the institution. Over 25,000 are currently studying from outside the United Kingdom.
The Open University
PO Box 197
Milton Keynes
MK7 6BJ
United Kingdom
011-44-845-300-6090
open.ac.uk
The University of London's External System specializes in distance learning for students worldwide. There are a number of diplomas, bachelor's degrees and postgraduate courses available for study, though prior qualifications are required. The university has offered distance learning courses since 1858, and notable graduates include John F. Kennedy and Mahatma Gandhi.
The Information Centre
University of London
Stewart House
32 Russell Square
London
WC1B 5DN
United Kingdom
011-44-20-7862-8398
london.ac.uk
Specializing in master's degrees, the University of Liverpool was the first to offer a full degree solely via online learning. There are courses available in management, medicine, information technology and law. The university uses a virtual class system with no more than 20 people per class and offers a high level of interaction between lecturers and other students.
Student Recruitment and Admissions Office
The University of Liverpool
Foundation Building
Brownlow Hill
Liverpool
L69 7ZX
United Kingdom
011-44-151-794-592
liv.ac.uk
Catering solely for computer science courses, the University of Hertfordshire offers a range of part-time and full-time programs for distance study. There are bachelor's and master's degrees available to applicants with sufficient prior qualifications, as well as individual modules from within these courses. The university runs one of the biggest computer science departments in the country, both online and offline.
Programme Administrator
Computer Science (On-line)
School of Computer Science
University of Hertfordshire
College Lane
Herts
AL10 9AB
United Kingdom
011-44-1707-284-000
herts.ac.uk
The prestigious University of Oxford offers short introductions, undergraduate advanced diplomas, master's degrees and postgraduate degrees online. Topics available include international human rights law and nanotechnology. There are only five award courses available at present (as of May 2010), and the university does not offer full undergraduate degrees via the Internet. The university is renowned for a high quality of education and entry requirements are high.
University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education
Rewley House
1 Wellington Square
Oxford
Oxfordshire
OX1 2JA
United Kingdom
011-44-1865-270-360
ox.ac.uk