University of the People

University of the People stands as a pioneering institution, offering a revolutionary approach to higher education by making it tuition-free and accessible globally. Founded on the principle that education is a basic human right, UoPeople empowers ambitious students from all corners of the world, regardless of their financial background, to pursue quality online degrees. With a massive student body exceeding 170,000, it cultivates a diverse and international learning environment where individuals can connect and grow.

The university's journey began in January 2009, when founder Shai Reshef, inspired by previous online education initiatives, launched UoPeople with the clear intent to dismantle financial barriers to higher learning. Operating without a physical campus, its admissions office is based in Pasadena, California, symbolizing its innovative, location-agnostic model. The first students embarked on Associate and Bachelor's degrees in Business Administration and Computer Science in September 2009, setting the stage for its rapid expansion and impact.

Academically, UoPeople has steadily broadened its offerings and strengthened its global network. In 2016, it introduced an online Master of Business Administration (MBA), followed by a strategic partnership with the University of Edinburgh in 2017, allowing UoPeople health science graduates to pursue a bachelor's degree there. The launch of an online Master of Education (M.Ed) in Advanced Teaching, in collaboration with the International Baccalaureate, further solidified its academic prestige, starting in 2019 with scholarship opportunities from IB in 2020.

The student experience at University of the People is defined by its asynchronous online learning model, providing unmatched flexibility for learners balancing studies with personal and professional commitments. The university's commitment to global inclusion is highlighted by initiatives like UoPeople in Arabic, launched in 2020, which offers programs without requiring proof of English proficiency. Notably, UoPeople is dedicated to supporting underserved populations, currently educating about 19,000 refugees globally and pledging to reach 35,000 refugee students by 2030, reinforcing its mission to democratize education.