Life-changing educational opportunity for disadvantaged students

Posted on 14 April 2025 • Around the OU, University news

People from disadvantaged backgrounds have the chance to study for free at The Open University (OU), through an annual student scholarships programme now available for the eighth year running.

Students for whom higher education once seemed out of reach are being given this opportunity thanks to donations to the Open Futures Fund, a bespoke programme providing eligible students with access to life-changing study.

It’s all down to the generosity of businesses, alumni, friends and supporters of the OU, who have contributed to the fund.

Applications now open

Those who can benefit are disabled veterans, carers, people seeking refuge in the UK, lower-income Black students, and young people who have spent time in care. Applications are now open for the autumn 2025 intake.

Since 2018, the OU has awarded 660 scholarships and other financial assistance to students worth millions of pounds but demand for these sought-after places is always high and oversubscribed. Last year, there were more than 580 applicants for the 90 places available, highlighting the strong demand.

For Josie Fraser, Interim Vice-Chancellor of the OU, these scholarships lie at the heart of the OU’s proud social justice mission.

“I was with some of our Open Futures Fund scholarship students only recently,” she recounted, “and I heard first-hand the difference that studying with the OU is making in their lives. They also shared such moving stories of resilience, hope and courage.”

Applications for the Open Futures Scholarships are now open. Please visit the links below for eligibility criteria and closing dates:

• The Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund. Giving access to OU education, alongside specialist disability and careers support. Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund
• The Black Students’ Support Fund. Offering the opportunity of fully-funded undergraduate study to lower-income students who identify as Black. Black Students’ Support Fund
• Carers’ Scholarships. Providing scholarships for unpaid carers, with multiple places reserved for young carers. Carers’ Scholarships
• Sanctuary Scholarships. Open to people seeking refuge in the UK, helping them to rebuild their lives by studying and gaining skills to forge new careers. Sanctuary Scholarships
• The Care Experienced Scholarship. Supported by John Lewis Partnership, this programme is about to begin its third year, offering undergraduate scholarships to people aged 30 and under who have experienced time in care. The Care Experienced Scholarship

For information on how to become a donor, visit  The Open Futures Fund | Giving