In 2012, the University decided to abolish the School of Media, Performing and Fine Arts.
The Zambian Open University started offering post-graduate studies in 2006 with an intake of 15 students in one program – Master’s degree of Education in Literacy and Development.
ACCA Accreditation Bachelor of Business Administration (Accounting) Degree Programme offered by the Zambian Open University was in January, 2020 accredited by the Association of Charted Certified Accountants (ACCA).
In 2009 the Lusaka High Court ordered the Zambia Institute for Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE) to enrol law students from Zambia Open University (ZAOU) for the 2009 and 2010 legal practitioners qualifying course after the student took ZIALE to court.
The High Court Judge Nigel Mutuna in his judgment delivered in chambers also directed the counsel for ZIALE to certify the ZAOU law degree qualifications as being equivalent to those offered at the University of Zambia (UNZA).This move by ZAOU students enabled law students from other private universities to be enrolled at ZIALE to this day.