The Open University

Award-winning 50-word flash fiction competition returns!

5 June 2023

Back by popular demand, our multi-award-winning flash fiction competition #OU50words is returning to The Open University’s social media channels. Every day for seven days (starting on Monday 12 June) we’ll be sharing a different storytelling prompt designed to inspire you to forge a 50-word, fictional footpath. We invited award-winning photographer Laura Jones from Atmospheric Images to spend […]

New Director for PolicyWISE

8 February 2023

We’re delighted to confirm the appointment of Dewi Knight to the role of Director of PolicyWISE, the OU’s major new public policy initiative, which will launch later this year. Dewi joins the OU from the Welsh Government where he is Specialist Adviser for Education Reform. Working at the heart of Welsh government for over […]

FBL Student and Alumni Awards huge success

27 October 2022

For the first time in three years the Faculty of Business and Law (FBL) was able to hold its annual Student and Alumni Awards in the flesh – without covid restrictions – and organisers called it an ‘inspirational’ event. It was held on campus in Milton Keynes and offered the chance for many students and […]

Honorary degree for David Harrison as first digital Harrison Centre opens

24 October 2022

The graduation ceremony took place at the Harrogate Convention Centre in Yorkshire where MBA alumnus David Harrison received his award. He was nominated for the ‘exceptional contribution’ he has made to highlighting the need to improve public understanding of personal finance – an area of work that is of special educational concern to the OU […]

Education key to busting menopause myths says leading OU expert

12 October 2022

A long awaited report by an All-Party Parliamentary Group into the menopause has finally been published and it is calling for more urgent help for women. Commenting on the final report of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Menopause’s inquiry published today, Jo Brewis, Professor of People and Organisations at The Open University, said: “Alongside […]

OU/BBC: The Big Green Money Show returns

12 October 2022

Eco-friendly podcast The Big Green Money Show is back, examining the way some businesses are becoming greener. Presented by Dragons’ Den’s Deborah Meaden, the 11-part OU/BBC series will be tackling questions such as, ‘can capitalism ever be green’ and ‘how to have a greener funeral’ amongst many others. The programme airs weekly on Radio 5 […]

Cost-of-living boost for OU students with chance to win £500 from Santander Universities

3 October 2022

Back for a second year running, the OU is teaming up with Santander Universities to offer 20 lucky students the chance to win £500 cash in a free draw. To enter, students need to be currently enrolled, be based in the UK, and then sign up via Santander’s Becas platform here. Enrolment is open now […]

From Army veteran to space scientist

3 October 2022

When Open University graduate Ian Muirhead isn’t searching for moons and exoplanets, he’s inspiring the next generation of space scientists to reach for the stars. It’s a career he never dreamed possible when he left school at 15 without any qualifications. Over 20 years’ on and Ian tells us he couldn’t be happier making the […]

Three exceptional individuals honoured at OU degree ceremony in London

30 September 2022

A disability rights campaigner, a champion of life-long learning, and a musician who is diversifying the world of classical music, all received honorary degrees from The Open University in ceremonies at the Barbican Centre. Over four thousand guests and 1,200 graduates gathered in the Grade II listed building in the City of London for four […]

The rise and fall of Topshop. OU/BBC series lifts the lid on iconic brand’s fall from grace

26 September 2022

The story of how a huge fashion brand fell dramatically to earth is the subject of a new two-part OU/BBC co–production. Through the testimony of insiders as well as fashion and investigative journalists, Trouble at Topshop explores how the brand is transformed by a group of young, talented, and creative women, into a mecca for […]

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