The University, initially known as Andhra Pradesh Open University, was set up on 26th August 1982 through an Act of the A.P. State Legislature (APOU Act 1982). Subsequently, the University was renamed as Dr. B.R.Ambedkar Open University on 26 October, 1991 by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. The establishment of this University, the first of its kind in India, heralded an era of affirmative action on the part of the Government of Andhra Pradesh to provide opportunities of higher education to all sections of society to meet the changing individual and social needs. All the programmes offered by the University are recognised by the University Grants Commission, New Delhi. The motto of the University is "EDUCATION FOR ALL".

The new experiment in distance education led to the opening of the portals of higher education to a variety of potential students like housewives, farmers, skilled and unskilled labour, Jawans, Policemen, etc., who would otherwise not be able to acquire new skills and higher qualifications. The University is providing services to the student community through a wide network of 213 study centres spread across both Telangana & Andhra Pradesh States, including 23 regional co-ordination centres and 14 number of centres excluding for women students. Even prison inmates under life sentence also enroll themselves as students and pursue education through exclusive study centres at Central Prison - Cherlapally, Warangal, Rajahmundry, Visakhapatnam, Kadapa and Nellore. Looking back at the achievements, over three decades, the University has gained a prestigious and enviable position in society by: