Open University of the Netherlands

The Open Universiteit (Open University of the Netherlands), founded in 1984 and based in Heerlen, is the Dutch public institution dedicated to distance higher education. Its mission is to give everyone, whatever their circumstances, flexible access to university study. It offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes, mainly in science, law, psychology, management, environmental studies and the humanities, as well as individual courses and modules. Study is entirely online, paid per course rather than per year, at a pace chosen by the student and without any requirement to attend in person. The university plays a major role in lifelong learning and in educating working professionals, and develops innovative digital teaching methods. Its degrees are recognised by the Dutch state on a par with those of traditional universities, and its e-learning expertise is exported worldwide.