It is an independent government-funded university and uses a variety of methods, including written materials, the Internet, and occasional evening seminars or day sessions.

The university has study and support centres dispersed throughout the continental Netherlands, as well as study centres in Dutch-speaking Belgium (Flanders) and partnerships with institutions in Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and Suriname.

As of September 2016[update], approximately 15,000 students were enrolled at study or support centres in the Netherlands,[1] including some residents of other countries.

The Dutch government's purpose in founding the Open University of the Netherlands was to make higher education accessible to anyone with the necessary aptitudes and interests, regardless of formal qualifications.

The chairman of the Open University of the Netherlands since June 2016 is Arent van der Feltz, former vice president for corporate development, legal, regulatory and public affairs at Ziggo.