Founded in 1969 and based in Bletchley, The Open University (OU) specializes in flexible higher education within the education sector. It caters to a diverse student body, including those employed full-time, by offering distance learning that allows for the simultaneous pursuit of academic degrees and professional careers. As the largest academic institution in the UK, the OU serves nearly 180,000 students and is recognized for its value and student satisfaction, partnering with top companies and maintaining a vast international network.