Open to all people, places, methods and ideas

Working with Trades Unions

Open to all people

The Open University plays a unique role in society making life long learning open to all, inspiring and enabling people to develop wherever, whenever and however they need.

We are the natural partner to trades unions with which we share a common commitment to social justice. This we achieve by: inspiring learning among working people; working to improve the lot of workers by providing better access to high quality learning; working with people to help them achieve their long-term study goals.

Over a thousand union members study with the OU every year. The OU also has strategic relationships and partnerships with trade union organisations such as Unionlearn, Unison and the Royal College of Nursing.

Watch the OU-Unionlearn video

The Open Univerity & unionlearn: Opening up to Learning from unionlearn on Vimeo.

What to expect from these pages

These web pages are for union learners, union learning reps and those involved in any way with the provision of access to higher education or higher level skills to workers who are union members. Here you will find information such as:

• Video Content of OU students sharing their experiences about studying with the OU

• Tool to help learners choose their first HE level 1 course - find the link to this tool on the Getting Started page

• Courses - the Open University offers over 500 courses and it can be challenging at times to know just what to do and where to start

• Discounts and financial support - You could be entitled to a discount on your fees or financial support from the Open University. Here is where to learn more about what’s available.

• Getting started with higher education - here we address frequently asked questions that learners have when studying with the Open University

• Resources for Union Learning Reps - the Open University sees ULRs as an important channel to learners and provides resources that will enhance their ability to inform, advice and guide learners about OU programmes and courses

• Links to useful resources

Union enquiries

For general enquiries from union learners and requests for further information please contact:

Telephone: 0845 300 60 90 and quote 'UNION'

Email: union-enquiry@open.ac.uk

Before you call or email, please go through the site to see whether your questions are addressed in any way.

For ULR enquiries and requests:

Email: unionrep-enquiries@open.ac.uk

Site last updated 8 February 2011