The OU is now one of the largest training organisations in the UK, providing in-service training for a number of leading companies. Over 40,000 people working for social services departments, hospital trusts and local authorities use the OU training courses and study packs in health care and social welfare. The OU specifies no entrance requirements. However, the student must be resident in the UK or European Union at the start of their course. Production Centre and computer software.
Every student receives additional support from a personal tutor for each course.
It is the provision of this tutor support which limits the expansion of the OU beyond the UK and European Union. However the OU does offer certain courses and degree programmes through overseas partners in Singapore and Central and Eastern Europe. Increasingly the OU is offering its courses with electronic support via the Internet. The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for educational and cultural relations. Registered in England as a Charity.