Award success for OU's college partnerships

The Open University in Scotland, in conjunction with three of its college partners, took the top prize for ‘Best Use of Articulation’ at the Herald Higher Education Awards last night (Thursday 6 July).

The award came as recognition for The OU’s ‘campus-based’ partnerships with Ayrshire College, Fife College and North East Scotland College, which sees HND college students complete their degrees with The OU in the familiar surroundings of their college, supported by their existing college lecturer who also takes on the role of OU tutor.

‘Articulation’ refers to the transition from college to university with credit transfer.

The award was collected on the University’s behalf by Khadija Patel, Learning Partnerships Officer (pictured, third left), supported by Josh Malcolm, a graduate via this route (third right), and Andy Sinclair, Ayrshire College lecturer and OU tutor (second right).

The ceremony took place in Glasgow, hosted by STV’s Jennifer Reoch and attended by Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, and key figures from across the Scottish higher and further education sector.

The campus-based model began as a pilot with Fife College in 2011 and has grown to include Ayrshire and North East College, with students from all three colleges graduating in October 2016.

Further expansion of the model is planned as part of The OU’s broader engagement with the college sector in Scotland, which also includes credit transfer and articulation agreements with fifteen of Scotland’s colleges to ensure a smooth and flexible transition for students from college to university.

Ms. Somerville recently visited The OU’s partnership with Ayrshire College and commented:

It is fair to say that The Open University has revolutionised the higher education sector in terms of accessibility and flexibility for the modern day student.

It continues to lead the way with partnerships like this one with Ayrshire College, making higher education accessible at the heart of the community, in a college setting.

This Government is firmly committed to widening access and learning opportunities for all, and it is partnerships like this that are making it a reality.

Read more about The OU in Scotland's campus-based partnerships.