The Open University

“I failed a module, but came back stronger”

6 June 2022

Aqua Koroma first started her university journey in 2000 but pressed pause on her studies when she became mum to two boys. After her marriage broke down years later, Aqua was inspired to return to study Law with The Open University and pursue her dream of becoming a solicitor. Her journey to graduation wasn’t without […]

“I’m studying so I can set up my own environmental consultancy”

31 May 2022

Proud Open University student Kevin Odhiambo Onyango lives in Kenya and is studying for his MSc in Environmental Management – in preparation for setting up his own environmental consultancy firm. He shares how OU study has changed his life so far. “I am finding my experience of being an international OU student very exciting because […]

OU to provide skills boost for local communities

25 May 2022

The OU will partner with further education providers to provide high-quality, higher and technical education to more local communities across England, backed by £10 million of Government funding. Under the scheme, announced by Higher and Further Education Minister Michelle Donelan today (25 May), The Open University will work with colleges that do not currently offer […]

OU responds to Education Select Committee report about prisoner education

18 May 2022

The House of Commons Education Select Committee has today published its report ‘Not just another brick in the wall: why prisoners need an education to climb the ladder of opportunity’. The Open University is the primary provider of higher education in prisons and secure units in England and Wales, operating in over 150 prisons across […]

REF 2021 recognises 82% of OU research impact as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent.’

12 May 2022

The Open University (OU)’s commitment to research and societal impact is recognised today (Thursday, 12 May), with 82% of its research impact assessed to be ‘world-leading’ (4*) or ‘internationally excellent’ (3*) by the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. These results are a welcome acknowledgement of the impact of OU researchers’ work in transforming lives, shaping […]

OU academics contribute to new BBC Ideas film: ‘Does it ever pay to represent yourself in court?’

29 April 2022

Appearing in court without representation is becoming increasingly common. But is it a sensible strategy? Academics from The Open University’s Open Justice Centre have answered exactly this question in a new BBC Ideas film titled ‘Does it ever pay to represent yourself in court?’. Open Justice Centre Director Francine Ryan, Professor of Law and Social […]

Worldwide access for gender transformative education programme materials

8 March 2022

Launching on International Women’s Day, educational materials produced by The Open University (OU) for out-of-school Zimbabwean adolescent girls are being made freely available to educators worldwide. The learning programme, developed by a team from the School of Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport at the OU, is helping over 12,000 girls and young women get back […]

Vice-Chancellor’s statement on the war in Ukraine

1 March 2022

The latest news, expert commentary and resources for Open University students and staff on the war in Ukraine. Vice-Chancellor’s statement on the invasion of Ukraine We are appalled and horrified by the scenes of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We condemn this unprovoked act of war and stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, […]

OU/BBC co-pro reveals the fiercely competitive world of elite figure skating

3 February 2022

A fascinating look into the competitive world of figure skating comes to our screens this weekend, on the newly re-launched BBC Three. Freeze: Skating on the Edge, is an Open University/BBC co-production that follows young athletes from across Britain over the course of a year, as they battle through skate-offs, qualifiers and international competitions to […]

Proposed sporting categories could support inclusion and fairness, OU academic suggests

26 January 2022

In the run-up to the forthcoming Olympic Winter Games in Beijing next month, seeing athletes from across the world competing in winter sports such as bobsleigh, ice skating and downhill skiing, a newly published policy paper suggests that sporting categories might change in the future to better accommodate sporting endeavour, inclusion and fairness. The co-authored […]

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