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.
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.
Grants
The Open University Students' Educational Trust is a grant-making charity: making grants is its main activity.
- Gives grants to
- individuals
- Total spending (2025)
- £258,954
- Only charities with income over £500,000 file a separate grants figure.
- Who it helps
- other defined groups and the general public
- What it supports
- education and training
As recorded with the Charity Commission. To ask about applying, use the contact details and check the trustees and latest accounts below.
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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.
Country
Region
Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Higher than 9% of UK Education charities with income £100K to £1M (sample: 350). How is this calculated?
Higher than 100% of UK Education charities with income £100K to £1M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 36% 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
Expenditure Categories
Financial Trend
Annual Returns
As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.
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 Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | £114,303 | £258,954 | 0 / 0 | |||
| 2024 | £198,769 | £296,250 | 0 / 0 | |||
| 2023 | £811,304 | £134,488 | £134,488 | £1,666,556 | £1,666,556 | 0 / 0 |
| 2022 | £492,470 | £323,481 | 0 / 0 | |||
| 2021 | £121,562 | £179,383 | 0 / 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 2025?
The Open University Students' Educational Trust reported total income of £114k and reported expenditure of £259k for the financial year ending 2025, 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 9% of UK Education charities with income £100K to £1M (sample of 350 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 7 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.
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Registry Information
Other notable Education charities
Major UK charities in the same primary sector, drawn from the curated priority cohort.
Trustees
Also governs 1 other charity
Sectors & Classifications
Also Known As
- Ouset
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 9 November 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated