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The Open University Students' Educational Trust

Also known as: Ouset

We give grants for course fees and essential study costs to OU students who are in financial difficulty and unable to receive financial assistance from government and university sources.

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Activities & Mission

We give grants for course fees and essential study costs to OU students who are in financial difficulty and unable to receive financial assistance from government and university sources.

Areas of Operation

Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.

Financial Information

Latest Income
£198,769
Latest Expenditure
£296,250

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 16.6%
% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 7% of UK Education charities with income £100K to £1M (sample: 1712). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 100.0%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 100% of UK Education charities with income £100K to £1M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 6.0%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 29% of UK Education charities with income £100K to £1M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £795,631
Charitable Activities £0
Other Trading £0
Investments £15,673
Other Income £0

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £134,488
Raising Funds £0
Governance £8,052
Grants to Institutions £0
Other Expenditure £0

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2024.

One or more years show a significant change in income (over ±100%) compared with the prior year. This usually reflects a merger, transfer of activities, restated accounts, or a one-off legacy — not necessarily a real change in operating scale. See the methodology for context.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2024
£198,769
£296,2500 / 0
2023
£811,304
£134,488£134,488£1,666,556£1,666,5560 / 0
2022
£492,470
£323,4810 / 0
2021
£121,562
£179,3830 / 0
2020
£76,638
£158,4500 / 0

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about The Open University Students' Educational Trust

What does The Open University Students' Educational Trust do?

We give grants for course fees and essential study costs to OU students who are in financial difficulty and unable to receive financial assistance from government and university sources.

How much income did The Open University Students' Educational Trust report in 2024?

The Open University Students' Educational Trust reported total income of £199k and reported expenditure of £296k for the financial year ending 2024, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is The Open University Students' Educational Trust?

The Open University Students' Educational Trust has a program ratio of 16.6%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 7% of UK Education charities with income £100K to £1M (sample of 1712 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was The Open University Students' Educational Trust registered as a charity?

The Open University Students' Educational Trust was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 13 August 1982 as charity number 285189. It has been registered for 44 years.

Who runs The Open University Students' Educational Trust?

The Open University Students' Educational Trust is governed by a board of 8 trustees. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does The Open University Students' Educational Trust operate?

The Open University Students' Educational Trust operates across 3 areas: Northern Ireland, Scotland and England And Wales.

Is The Open University Students' Educational Trust a registered charity?

Yes — The Open University Students' Educational Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 285189.

Details

Address
OUSET
Walton Hall
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6BE
Registration Date
13 August 1982
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
285189
Charity Number
285189

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Other notable Education charities

Major UK charities in the same primary sector, drawn from the curated priority cohort.

Trustees

Beth Pacey
Danielle Smith
Jessica Hannington
Julia McDougall
Kimberley Kennedy
Also governs 1 other charity
Louise Robinson
Sarah Jones
Sharon O'Kelly

Sectors & Classifications

Education Social welfare

Also Known As

  • Ouset

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
14 May 2026
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