Is The Open University a legitimate charity?

The register data used for this profile lists The Open University as a registered charity (number SC038302) with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). Check the current register entry. A real charity number does not verify a fundraiser or appeal, and registration is not an impact rating.

What is The Open University's charity number?

The Open University's charity number is SC038302. Check that number on the OSCR register or this CharityCompare profile before you donate.

How do I check charity number SC038302?

Search SC038302 on the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) register or on CharityCompare. Confirm the registered name matches the organisation asking for money — scammers sometimes reuse real charity numbers.

Does The Open University have reviews and complaints?

CharityCompare does not host public user reviews for The Open University. This basic profile confirms registration and register facts. Rated charities also show a filing-based Clarity Score. For formal complaints, contact the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) or the Fundraising Regulator as appropriate.

How can I donate to The Open University?

The Open University's website listed in our register data is http://www.open.ac.uk. Verify it against the current register before donating. CharityCompare does not process donations or take a commission; the charity's payment provider may charge fees.

When was The Open University registered as a charity?

The Open University was entered on the register on 1 June 2007.

Registered charity · No. SC038302Statutory corporation (Royal Charter etc)

The Open University

Independent profile · Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) data

The Open University is a registered charity in Scotland. Its register classifications include the advancement of education.

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Work at The Open University? Claim this profile free to add your own description, logo and links.

At a glance · official register

What are the key facts about The Open University?

Reported income · year ending 2025-07-31: £578,500,000
Reported spending · year ending 2025-07-31: £605,500,000
Registered charity number: SC038302
Status in source extract: Registered
Charity type: Statutory corporation (Royal Charter etc)
Register contact address detail (not service area): Outwith Scotland
Website: www.open.ac.uk

Quick answer

The Open University (number SC038302) is listed as registered in the OSCR snapshot used here. Check the live register for its current position. Registration does not authenticate a particular fundraising appeal or establish the impact of a donation.

What does The Open University do?

The objects of the University shall be the advancement and dissemination of learning and knowledge by teaching and research by a diversity of means such as broadcasting and technological devices appropriate to higher education, by correspondence tuition, residential courses and seminars and in other relevant ways, and shall be to provide education of University and professional standards for its students and to promote the educational well-being of the community generally.

Activities reported on the official register · extract 2026-10-04.

From the annual return

Pay, income, Gift Aid and registration details for The Open University

Answers The Open University gave in its annual return to the OSCR for the year ending 31 July 2025, plus its register entry. A blank answer in the return is shown as not reported, never as “no”.

Registration details

Registered as a charity: 1 June 2007
Where it says it operates: Outwith Scotland

What causes is The Open University registered for?

the advancement of education

Why is there no Clarity Score for The Open University yet?

Our dataset does not yet contain the detailed filing history needed to score The Open University. An unrated profile is a gap in our assessment, not a negative judgement about the charity. The register facts and available annual-return disclosures above remain useful. Payment never influences a rating. How scoring works

What should you check before donating to The Open University?

Match the registered name and number to the appeal. A real charity number can be copied by someone impersonating the organisation.
Open the current register entry to check status, contact details and available accounts. This profile reflects a dated extract.
Read the charity’s annual report for its work and results. An unrated profile means we lack a full assessment; it is not a negative rating.

How to read charity accounts · Explore rated charities

Is this your charity?

Claim this profile free to submit your description and an optional logo for review, correct details, or respond publicly. Approved claims show attribution and claimed status. Optional paid plans add enhanced media, reporting and labelled featured visibility by tier; they never change a score.

Claim this profile — free Visit charity website

Frequently asked questions

Is The Open University a legitimate charity?: The register data used for this profile lists The Open University as a registered charity (number SC038302) with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). Check the current register entry. A real charity number does not verify a fundraiser or appeal, and registration is not an impact rating.
What is The Open University's charity number?: The Open University's charity number is SC038302. Check that number on the OSCR register or this CharityCompare profile before you donate.
How do I check charity number SC038302?: Search SC038302 on the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) register or on CharityCompare. Confirm the registered name matches the organisation asking for money — scammers sometimes reuse real charity numbers.
What does The Open University do?: The objects of the University shall be the advancement and dissemination of learning and knowledge by teaching and research by a diversity of means such as broadcasting and technological devices appropriate to higher education, by correspondence tuition, residential courses and seminars and in other relevant ways, and shall be to provide education of University and professional standards for its students and to promote the educational well-being of the community generally.
Does The Open University have reviews and complaints?: CharityCompare does not host public user reviews for The Open University. This basic profile confirms registration and register facts. Rated charities also show a filing-based Clarity Score. For formal complaints, contact the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) or the Fundraising Regulator as appropriate.
How can I donate to The Open University?: The Open University's website listed in our register data is http://www.open.ac.uk. Verify it against the current register before donating. CharityCompare does not process donations or take a commission; the charity's payment provider may charge fees.
When was The Open University registered as a charity?: The Open University was entered on the register on 1 June 2007.

Source: Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) register extract dated 2026-10-04, used under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Always verify current details on the official register entry.