OPEN UNIVERSITY OF THE NETHERLANDS

Open Universiteit Nederland, which welcomed its first students in September 1984, is an independent government-funded institute for distance learning at university level. The Dutch government's purpose in founding Open Universiteit Nederland was to make higher education accessible to anyone with the necessary aptitudes and interests, regardless of formal qualifications. Learning forever! A profile of Open Universiteit Nederland in 2004, tells you more about our organisation and mission, the facts and figures, study methods, objectives, et cetera over the year 2004. See 'Organisation' for recent facts and figures (31-12-2005). Open Universiteit Nederland identifies four further aims: to create a cost-effective form of higher education, to encourage innovation in Dutch higher education, in terms of both curriculum and teaching methods, to reduce the teacher shortage in Dutch primary and secondary schools, and to be a recognized player in (commercial) distance and e-learning training programmes and consultancy. Studying at Open Universiteit Nederland Studying at Open Universiteit Nederland allows professionals to sharpen their skills. In fact, many of its students already have degrees and take one or more courses to acquire additional know-how or to retrain for a different occupation. Approximately 18,500 students are currently enrolled at Open Universiteit Nederland, following one of the university's courses or fully accredited Bachelor or Master degree programmes. About 70% of these students remain in paid employment throughout their studies, and more than 50% have enrolled because it leaves them free to choose their own time and place of study and lets them progress at their own pace. Study programmes Bachelor and Master degree programmes Short programmes Courses Who can study at Open Universiteit Nederland? Most of our programmes aim strictly at people who have an adequate command of the Dutch language, because study materials are generally in Dutch. Although more and more courses are in English, most professional or academic titles are out of reach for those without a good command of the Dutch language. All examinations, whether standard or computerised, are administered in the Netherlands, generally at one of the study or support centres of Open Universiteit Nederland. Dutch people living abroad Open Universiteit Nederland is a perfect solution, however, for Dutch people living (often temporarily) abroad who want to continue their academic studies. English speaking people in the Netherlands For English speaking people in the Netherlands, who would like to start or continue an academic course or degree programme, the British Open University might be a better option. In the study centre of the Open Universiteit Nederland in The Hague a local office of the British Open University offers service to their students. Service and information Open Universiteit Nederland P.O. Box 2960 6401 DL Heerlen (NL) Email: info@ou.nl General information For general information please contact: Open Universiteit Nederland Department of Communications P.O. Box 2960 6401 DL Heerlen (NL) Email: communicatie@ou.nl Addresses Central Visiting Address Open Universiteit Nederland Valkenburgerweg 177 6419 AT Heerlen (NL) Telephone +31-45-5762888 Central Mailing Address Open Universiteit Nederland P.O. Box 2960 6401 DL Heerlen (NL)