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Glite Dictionary
Open University

Open University

1 3.5
A British university that offers part-time online and distance courses for adults, often without usual entry rules
  • proper noun
  • /ˈəʊpən ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsɪti/
  • UK
translation icon : Universidad Abierta
  • Stephen Peake is a senior lecturer in environmental technology at The Open University.
  • Open University course

Good luck in your your new science teaching exploits at the Open University in in the UK.

Examples

  • Open University in the United Kingdom is the largest university in the world.

    Academic text (1999)

  • I just saw Sir John Daniel, the head of Open University, in an audience to which I was speaking last week.

    Academic text (1999)

  • Open University is the world's largest university with a large part of its curriculum online.

    Academic text (1999)

  • North Lanarkshire Council is addressing this through an innovative "grow our own social worker" programme in partnership with the Open University.

    Academic text (2010)

  • I'm an alumnus of the Open University -- BA Maths, currently doing MSc Maths.

    Blog text (32)

  • In this month's CPD, OH adviser Julie Lennon talks about how she undertook an Open University-accredited level 6 distance e-learning module run by Education for Health and Arthritis Research UK.

    Academic text (2015)

  • I enrolled in Open University this week to pursue a degree in psychology.

  • While studying at Open University, I learned valuable skills that helped me advance my career.

  • The flexible learning approach of Open University allows students to balance their studies with work and family responsibilities.

How Accessible

Open University
  • UK
1 3.5
community college
  • US
79 3.0

Surface Forms

Open University main

Morphology

open + university

The phrase is literally composed of 'open' (allowing access) + 'university' (degree-granting institution), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it refers to a university that is accessible or open to learners. However, the conventional sense (a specific model of higher education emphasizing distance learning and open admissions) contains institution-specific and procedural details that are not fully derivable from the parts, so the meaning is only partially predictable.

Etymology

Open University gets its name from the idea of a university that is open to everyone. It began in the UK with TV, radio and courses by post so people could study at home without formal entry rules. That's why the name now means a 'university' offering flexible distance learning for many people.