University of the People

University of the People (UoPeople) stands out as the world's first accredited, tuition-free online university, dedicated to breaking down barriers to higher education. With a mission rooted in accessibility, UoPeople provides a flexible, online learning environment designed for students across the globe who might otherwise be unable to afford traditional university tuition. This innovative model has attracted a diverse student body, currently serving over 170,000 learners.

Founded in January 2009 by Shai Reshef, UoPeople was born from a vision to leverage online technology to offer quality education without the financial burden. Drawing inspiration from previous online education ventures, Reshef established a university with no physical campus, operating entirely online with its admissions office based in Pasadena, California. The first cohort of students began their studies in September 2009, pursuing associate and bachelor's degrees in foundational fields like business administration and computer science.

Over the years, UoPeople has significantly expanded its academic offerings and global reach. It introduced an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2016 and, in collaboration with the International Baccalaureate, launched a Master of Education (M.Ed) in Advanced Teaching in 2019. The university has also forged strategic partnerships, notably with the University of Edinburgh, enabling health science graduates to pursue further studies. Utilizing an asynchronous online learning model, UoPeople ensures flexibility, allowing students worldwide to pursue their education at their own pace.

Demonstrating a profound commitment to global challenges, UoPeople has become a beacon of hope for displaced populations, currently enrolling approximately 19,000 refugees. The university has pledged to extend its educational opportunities to 35,000 refugee students by 2030, reinforcing its dedication to providing education as a human right. Furthermore, the launch of UoPeople in Arabic in 2020 underscores its continuous efforts to make education accessible to even more communities by removing language barriers.