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The Open University

open.ac.ukUniversities, United Kingdom

Measured 26 Oct 2026, published 26 Oct 2026.

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Visibility this week

4.5%No change shown: First published reading, so there is nothing to compare against yet.

Named in 22 of 491 eligible answers.

14th of 30new

First published reading, so there is nothing to compare against yet.

Named in 22 eligible answers this week

Change over time

One point per published scan, one scan a week. The dashed line is the mean visibility of every company measured in the industry in that scan.

The Open UniversityCategory average

0%1.5%3%4.5%6%26 Oct 2026

One point per published scan. Hover, or focus the chart and use the arrow keys, to read a scan.

View 1 scan as a table

Measured	The Open University	Category average	Rank
26 Oct 2026	4.5%	5.0%	14th

What the results show

The scan of 26 Oct 2026, read plainly. Every figure here appears elsewhere on this page; nothing is estimated.

The Open University was named in 22 of 491 eligible AI answers to 179 universities questions in the scan of 26 Oct 2026: a visibility of 4.5%. It ranks 14th of 30 companies measured. This is its first published reading, so there is no change to show yet. The category average is 5.0%, so The Open University sits 0.5 pp below it.

By engine, The Open University is strongest on ChatGPT (5.0%, named in 9 of 179 answers) and weakest on Google AI Mode (3.9%). It is above the category average on 1 of 3 engines.

It appears in answers to 12 of 179 questions. Where it is absent, other measured companies are named instead, most often University College London.

By engine

Each engine was asked the same questions. The company against the category average on each engine, on one scale.

ChatGPT
Named in 9 of 179 answers · most visible: University of Bristol, 15.6%
The Open University: 5.0%
Category average: 6.5%

The questions

Which of the 179 questions the engines named The Open University for, and which they answered with other companies instead.

Where The Open University is named

Named in answers to 12 of 179 questions this week. Most often:

I work full-time and want to pursue a doctorate part-time. Which UK universities offer flexible research study patterns?
Study modes and flexibilityNamed in 3 of 3 answers · 3 of 3 engines
I care for a family member and cannot travel to campus regularly. Which UK universities offer distance-learning degrees with flexible study schedules?
Study modes and flexibility

Recorded answers

A sample of the answers collected in this scan, with the engine, the capture time, who was named and what was cited.

Showing 10 of 10 recorded answers in this sample · 22 answers named The Open University this week in total.

ChatGPTCaptured 26 Oct 2026, 18:00 UTC
“Which UK universities are worth considering for international students seeking flexible study options, and what practical details should I compare?”
… considering Here is a practical shortlist to investigate, especially if you want alternatives to a conventional, full-time, campus-based degree. ### 1\. The Open University (Best for maximum flexibility) Most study is online, with options to vary your study pace and take individual modules. A strong choice if you need to combine study with work or family responsibilities. - Best for\: Undergraduate and postgraduate distance learning. - Compare\: Country eligibility, module fees, exam arrangements and degree recognition. - [Official international study …
The Open University namedInternational study
Also named: Queen Mary University of London, University of York
Google AI OverviewsCaptured 26 Oct 2026, 18:00 UTC
“I care for a family member and cannot travel to campus regularly. Which UK universities offer distance-learning degrees with flexible study schedules?”
… ### Top UK Universities Offering Distance Learning - The Open University - Details: As the UK's leading institution dedicated to distance education, it offers over 40 undergraduate and postgraduate subject areas (including arts, sciences, business, and health). - Flexibility: Designed explicitly for people balancing home responsibilities, caregiving, or full-time work. You can study part-time or full-time through pre-recorded and online modules, with tutor support and online forums. - Link: Explore courses at [The Open …
The Open University namedStudy modes and flexibility
Also named: University of Edinburgh
Google AI ModeCaptured 26 Oct 2026, 18:00 UTC
“Which UK universities are worth considering for international students seeking flexible study options, and what practical details should I compare?”
… and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to count past experience toward credits.[[1]](https://www.port.ac.uk/study/studying-online-by-distance-learning) - The Open University — While technically a specialist in distance learning rather than a traditional campus university, it is the UK pioneer in flexible, modular higher education. Note: International availability can vary by specific course compared to domestic UK students. - Traditional Campus Universities (e.g., University of St Andrews) — Offer modular credit accumulation systems on campus, allowing students to mix and match …
The Open University namedInternational study
Also named: London School of Economics and Political Science, University of Portsmouth, University of Cambridge
ChatGPTCaptured 26 Oct 2026, 18:00 UTC
“Which UK universities offer promising HR or finance career paths alongside fair working arrangements?”
… available in the specific vacancy and team. Manchester's flexible-working policy --- ## 3\. The Open University (Best for work-life balance) Best for\: HR, finance, workforce planning and strategic support roles. The OU highlights agile-working options, role-based pay grading, 30 days of annual leave for support staff, pension provision and family-friendly policies. Its distance-learning model may also appeal if you value flexible working environments. …
The Open University namedUniversity employment
Also named: London School of Economics and Political Science, University of Manchester, University of Bristol, University of Bath, University of Portsmouth
Google AI OverviewsCaptured 26 Oct 2026, 18:00 UTC
“What universities offer block-taught courses, with teaching grouped into short intensive periods, so carers can plan study around family duties?”
… to Keep in Mind: Distance Learning If even a 3-day on-campus block schedule is too restrictive for your family duties, online or blended options like The Open University allow you to choose your own study times entirely from home, mapping your education directly to the daily fluctuations of your caring role.[[1]](https://solihullcarers.org/higher-education-and-further-study-while-caring/)To help narrow this down, please tell me: - Are you looking for an undergraduate (Bachelor's) or postgraduate (Master's) degree? - What subject area are you …
The Open University namedStudy modes and flexibility
Also named: Queen Mary University of London
Google AI ModeCaptured 26 Oct 2026, 18:00 UTC
“I work full-time and want to pursue a doctorate part-time. Which UK universities offer flexible research study patterns?”
… Flexible options are offered by several prominent UK institutions: - The Open University : The gold standard for distance and flexible learning. Part-time PhDs are designed for remote/home study with virtual support, requiring a minimum of roughly 18.5 18.5 1 8.5 hours of study per week and a flexible completion timeframe of 4 4 4 to 8 8 8 …
The Open University namedStudy modes and flexibility
Also named: University of Reading, University of Exeter
ChatGPTCaptured 26 Oct 2026, 18:00 UTC
“I work full-time and want to pursue a doctorate part-time. Which UK universities offer flexible research study patterns?”
… worth investigating, focusing on their research-study arrangements rather than just whether they offer a part-time PhD. ## UK universities to consider 1\. The Open University (Distance-friendly) Offers part-time PhDs and professional doctorates, with online supervision, virtual research training and online library resources. A part-time PhD normally takes 4–8 years, and the university expects at least 18.5 hours of study a week. Some research areas allow distance study, but campus attendance may still be needed. …
The Open University namedStudy modes and flexibility
Also named: University of Reading, University of Leeds, University of Birmingham, University of Portsmouth, University of Bristol
ChatGPTCaptured 26 Oct 2026, 18:00 UTC
“Which UK universities should I consider for foundation or pathway programmes as an international applicant, and how can I compare the options?”
UK universities to consider for international foundation and pathway programmes If you're applying to the UK as an international student, I'd compare universities based on your intended degree, entry requirements, total cost, progression guarantees, and location — rather than choosing purely by university ranking. A foundation programme is usually a preparatory year for students who don't yet meet the requirements for direct undergraduate entry. A pathway can also include an international year one, a pre-master's, or an English-language preparation course. One important distinction: …
The Open University not namedInternational study
Also named: University of Glasgow, University of Birmingham, University of Bristol, University of Nottingham, University of York, University of Exeter, Queen Mary University of London, University of Leeds, University College London, University of Warwick
Google AI OverviewsCaptured 26 Oct 2026, 18:00 UTC
“Which UK universities offer exchange, joint-degree or dual-award options for international applicants, and what should I compare when shortlisting these programmes?”
Many top UK universities offer global exchange, joint-degree, and dual-award programmes tailored for international applicants . These qualifications differ significantly from traditional single-subject degrees and allow you to study across multiple institutions and continents.[[1]](https://www.port.ac.uk/study/dual-degrees)[[2]](https://gradright.com/dual-degree-courses-in-the-uk-top-universities-benefits-admission/) --- ### 1. Types of Global Programmes Available Before shortlisting, it is important to distinguish between the three primary structures: - Dual-Award / Double Degrees: …
The Open University not namedInternational study
Also named: University of Portsmouth, University of Warwick, Queen Mary University of London, University of Sussex, University of Glasgow
Google AI ModeCaptured 26 Oct 2026, 18:00 UTC
“Please suggest UK universities or research institutes for a lab-based PhD where I can assess research facilities, group culture and supervision quality.”
When looking for a lab-based PhD in the UK where you can tangibly evaluate facilities, group culture, and supervision quality, your best targets are major research-intensive universities (often part of the Russell Group) and dedicated independent research institutes . These institutions typically have structured Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs), transparent feedback mechanisms, and high concentrations of well-funded labs. Here is a breakdown of top-tier UK institutions renowned for world-class lab infrastructure, alongside practical strategies to evaluate their culture and supervision …
The Open University not namedResearch degrees and academic research
Also named: University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Imperial College London, University College London, University of Manchester

Passages are the part of each answer around the mention, or the opening where the company is absent. Times are when the answer was collected.

Sources and citations

Where the answers that named the company pointed. A citation is a link the engine showed; it is not an endorsement.

15 of the 22 answers naming The Open University linked to its own website (68%). A citation is a link in the answer; it is recorded where the engine showed one.

open.ac.ukown site10
bristol.ac.uk5
london.ac.uk

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Get The Open University’s visibility, rank and change by email each week it is measured.

Measured against the same questions

The most visible companies in the industry and the companies either side of this one, this week.

Against the 29 other companies measured, The Open University ranks 14th. University of Manchester is the most visible at 11.0%, 6.5 pp ahead. University of Birmingham (4.7%) sits just above it and London School of Economics and Political Science (3.9%) just below.

Competitors measured against the same questions, with The Open University in position
#	Company	Visibility	Change
1	University of Manchester	11.0%, 54 of 491 eligible answers	No change shown: First published reading, so there is nothing to compare against yet.
2	University of Bristol

Vantage | The Open University in universities, 14th of 30, UK | Tilio