The Open University in England has been one of the pioneers in large-scale distance learning, having enrolled more than 2 million students and awarded more than 227,000 diplomas while maintaining a quality reputation. In 1999, it opened a branch in the United States with aspirations to become a major competitor in the adult-learner market.

Their curriculum is based on a combination of centrally-developed multimedia courses, supported by a large number of local associates who provide personalized student contact. As such, it balances between the economies of scale that come from thousands of students taking the same course and the need for personalized instruction.