The Open University UK

The Open University has its headquarters at Walton Hall in Milton Keynes, which is 80km north of Central London, midway between Oxford and Cambridge, and just off the M1 motorway, linking it to Birmingham and the north of England.

Around 1,200 full-time academics are based at the Milton Keynes campus, along with some 250 of our 1,400 full-time and part-time postgraduate research students.

Research at Milton Keynes

The University has invested significantly in its infrastructure for research, increasing laboratory space at Milton Keynes headquarters by nearly 50 percent in the last seven years. Our newest facility is the Jennie Lee Building, which houses dedicated laboratories for pervasive computing and deployment of ambient and ubiquitous technologies.

Our students and academics are supported by around 4,000 administrative, technical, secretarial and student services staff. Among the administrative and service units with a public-facing role who are based at Walton Hall are:

• Development Office (alumni relations)
• Library
• Media Relations
• Open University Students' Association
• Open University Validation Services
• Open University Worldwide
• Student Services

The OU plays an active role in Milton Keynes life. Among the local networks in which it is a partner, member or sponsor are:

• Milton Keynes Technology Network
• Milton Keynes Enterprise Hub
• University Centre Milton Keynes
• Milton Keynes and North Bucks Chamber of Commerce
• Milton Keynes Community Foundation
• Bletchley Park

The campus is open to students, alumni supporters and local residents at Open Days held every two to three years. In 2009 the OU celebrated its 40th anniversary by opening up the campus at the Open Unlimited event.