1. The National Open University is a full-time undergraduate higher education institution directly under the Ministry of Education and the earliest open university established in China. The main task of the National Open University is to realize the coverage of adult higher education and cultivate high-quality applied talents to meet the needs of social development. The degree certificate of National Open University has the same effect as other institutions of higher education.

2. The Experimental College of the National Open University is a directly affiliated unit of the National Open University and an important department for vocational skills training of the National Open University. The main task of the Experimental College of National Open University is to provide vocational skills training and continuing education services for all sectors of society, and to cultivate high-quality and applied professionals. The certificate issued by the Experimental College of the Open University of China is a vocational skills training certificate, which has no effect as an academic certificate.