The Open University is described as an independent, autonomous university which offers an opportunity for higher education to adults who could not or did not take advantage of the limited opportunity in England to enter an institution of higher education immediately on or shortly after leaving secondary school. It provides a basis for continuing higher education throughout an adult's life. Most students are 21 years of age or over and study in their spare time. Its origins, administration, financing, facilities, students, and staff are described. The learning system employed is designed for teaching at a distance with course materials prepared by course teams and mailed to students. Television and radio broadcasts supplement the material. The university is viewed as a self-improving system available to all students without qualification. Its materials can be used by other institutions who can benefit from the course materials themselves along with systems for producing course materials, and systems which combine to deliver the courses. (LBH)