IntroductionDistance learning institutions began with a similar goal of providing higher education to students unable to attend traditional universities. Although similar, these schools are not cookie-cutter reproductions of each other. This article will compare and contrast the University of South Africa (UNISA) located in a developing country, South Africa, with that of the British Open University (OU) established in the United Kingdom, a developed country, on six dimensions: mission, population, history/organization, inherent school values, teaching model and technology. This article will also demonstrate that the author has completed the required reading and conducted independent research.MissionThe Mission of UNISA: UNISA is a comprehensive and open distance learning institution that produces excellent scholarship and research, offers quality courses and promotes active community engagement. We are guided by the principles of lifelong learning, student-centeredness, innovation and creativity. Our efforts contribute to the knowledge and information society, advance development, nurture critical citizenship and ensure global sustainability (UNISA, 2012a, para 3). The mission of the OU: “The mission of the Open University is to be open to people, places, methods and ideas (The Open University, 2014c, par 1). » Each institution's mission addresses the need to serve students who would otherwise not be able to participate in higher education. The brevity of the OU mission is accompanied by the statement “we promote educational opportunity and social justice” (The Open University, 2014c, para 1) which is echoed in the UNISA vision statement according to which students will not be refused because of their social class (UNISA, 2012...... middle of article......sp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=18121Unisa Online (2013a) [Web page] Excerpt from the University of South Africa website: http://www.unisa.ac.za/140/index.php/history/Unisa Online (2013b). unisa.ac.za/Default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=95957Unisa Online (2014) Facts and figures [Web page]. Retrieved from the University of South Africa website: http://www.unisa.ac. .za. /Default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=18123Van Zyl,D, & Barnes G. (2012). Retrieved from the University of South Africa website: http://heda.unisa.ac.za/filearchive/Facts%20&%20Figures/Briefing%20Report%20Unisa%20Facts%20&%20Figures%2020120215.pdf