OU News

News from The Open University

Simon Hall

OU lit the spark for professor’s lifetime achievement in chemistry research

Picking up a coveted Doctor of Science – a qualification that is only awarded by The Open University (OU) for exceptional scientific contributions – seems a long way from Professor Simon Hall’s memories of crashing out of sixth form with dreams of becoming a rock star. The University of Bristol’s Professor of Chemistry recalls being […]

Read more about OU lit the spark for professor’s lifetime achievement in chemistry research

OU celebrates inauguration of Anatolia American University

OU celebrates inauguration of Anatolia American University

The Open University recently joined partners in Thessaloniki, Greece, to celebrate the official inauguration of Anatolia American University, marking a major milestone in a long-standing partnership built on trust, shared values and a shared belief in the power of education to change lives. The inauguration marks a new chapter in the OU’s 12-year validation partnership […]

Read more about OU celebrates inauguration of Anatolia American University

Jobs abroad or jobs in Africa? Why a focus on work in other countries shouldn’t replace opportunities at home

Jobs abroad or jobs in Africa? Why a focus on work in other countries shouldn’t replace opportunities at home

African governments are increasingly encouraging young people to work abroad. To address youth unemployment at home, for example, Ghana and Kenya have expanded labour mobility agreements with other countries, says Michael Boampong, Visiting Fellow, The Open University. These include Spain, Qatar and Caribbean states. Agreements with Gulf countries have largely focused on construction and service-sector jobs. But newer partnerships with […]

Read more about Jobs abroad or jobs in Africa? Why a focus on work in other countries shouldn’t replace opportunities at home

Berrill Building on the OU campus

Student Home update

We’re very sorry that many students are still having trouble accessing Student Home. We know how important your results are and appreciate your patience while our technical teams work around the clock to resolve this complex issue.  Current situation:  Some students can access Student Home, but many still cannot. Pages are taking a long time to load.  […]

Read more about Student Home update

Wedding bouquet in a beach setting (Photo Pixabay)

Major consultation into weddings legislation welcomed by OU research lead

An Open University Law School researcher has welcomed a public Government consultation, opened yesterday (16 July), which could see some of the biggest changes to weddings law in England and Wales for almost 200 years. Stephanie Pywell, Professor Emerita of Law and Social Justice, conducted research including surveys of couples, registrars and celebrants. This work […]

Read more about Major consultation into weddings legislation welcomed by OU research lead

Why the US economy stays strong even when its policies shock the rest of the world

Why the US economy stays strong even when its policies shock the rest of the world

The US economy is continuing to grow faster and generate more new jobs than Europe. Annual national income growth over the past five years has averaged 3.3% in the US against 2.6% in the EU. In the first quarter of 2026, the EU’s GDP was just 0.7% higher than a year before, while that of the […]

Read more about Why the US economy stays strong even when its policies shock the rest of the world

Trees for hotter cities: OU partners on new approach to grow community support for tree-planting

Trees for hotter cities: OU partners on new approach to grow community support for tree-planting

Efforts to plant more trees in cities could be boosted thanks to a new tool for planners and community groups, published by researchers working at sites across the UK. The new free-to-use tool, Tree Value Visions, aims to support councils and communities in thinking about the future of trees in towns and cities in a […]

Read more about Trees for hotter cities: OU partners on new approach to grow community support for tree-planting

BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions? comes to The Open University in Milton Keynes

BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions? comes to The Open University in Milton Keynes

The Open University will welcome one of the BBC’s longest-running and most respected current affairs programmes to its Milton Keynes campus this summer.  BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions? will be broadcast from The Open University’s Walton Hall campus on Friday 7 August 2026, bringing a live audience and a panel of leading figures from politics and public life to Milton […]

Read more about BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions? comes to The Open University in Milton Keynes

Berrill Building on the OU campus

The OU’s 2026 National Student Survey results

The results of the National Student Survey (NSS) 2026 have been published, with The Open University (OU) continuing to perform strongly across key areas of the student experience.   This year, 14,966 OU students took part and overall have highly rated the OU for its teaching, assessment and organisation of their courses.   90.9% of students responded positively about the teaching on their course, 2.8% higher than […]

Read more about The OU’s 2026 National Student Survey results

Chris Packham explores the story of evolution in new OU/BBC series

Chris Packham explores the story of evolution in new OU/BBC series

A new OU / BBC series, Evolution begins Monday 13 July at 9pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. Chris Packham reveals the epic, 4-billion-year story of life on Earth. From humble origins to the complex creatures we see today, shaped in surprising ways by the unstoppable force of evolution. Across five episodes, Chris explores some […]

Read more about Chris Packham explores the story of evolution in new OU/BBC series

Page 1 of 254