OpenLearn is a world-class free learning platform breaking down traditional barriers to learning – including access, cost and confidence - to create a platform where knowledge is freely accessible to everyone, everywhere.

This pioneering platform provides high-quality, accessible, free education to people from all walks of life. With an extraordinary 12,000+ hours of free learning content available to anybody – and a remarkable 118 million visits since its launch in 2006 – OpenLearn is vital to learners who may otherwise have lacked the access, qualifications or confidence to pursue education.

“OpenLearn is such a great embodiment of the OU’s social mission. It’s giving people access to education all around the world, and taking away so many of the barriers to people starting an educational journey.” – Simon Ashby, Head of OpenLearn

Your generous gift will ensure OpenLearn can continue developing and delivering award-winning content and cutting-edge learning resources, all available completely free of charge. You will be part of a movement that will remove the barriers to traditional education faced by so many.

There’s no ‘typical’ OpenLearn visitor, although a 2024 opt-in survey revealed that:

• 47% of users don’t have a degree at time of enrolment
• 36% of learners come from low-income households
• 43% of those surveyed self-identify as having some form of disability

These statistics demonstrate OpenLearn’s position as a true testament to The Open University’s ongoing dedication to keeping education open to all.

Fifty-six years on from the founding of the OU, our proud social mission remains as vital as ever. You can help keep this trailblazing platform at the forefront of online study for the learners of today, tomorrow and beyond.