The Open University

Research Capability Hub launches with strong national support

30 January 2026

The Open University’s Research Capability Hub (RCH) was formally launched this week (27 January) at a hybrid event that brought together more than 150 participants from across the UK’s social science research community. A major milestone: from design to delivery The launch event marked a significant step in moving the Hub, which was funded by a £4.9M award […]

The Open University becomes largest university in the UK to support tree-planting through its internet searches

20 January 2026

The Open University has become the largest university in the UK to switch to Ecosia, as its default internet search provider. Ecosia is a not-for-profit search engine that uses its advertising revenue to fund tree-planting projects worldwide, helping users turn everyday searches into climate action. After a successful pilot of Ecosia, the OU formally adopted […]

How astronomers plan to detect the signatures of alien life in the atmospheres of distant planets

12 January 2026

Carole Haswell, The Open University We live in a very exciting time: answers to some of the oldest questions humanity has conceived are within our grasp. One of these is whether Earth is the only place that harbours life. In the last 30 years, the question of whether the Sun is unique in hosting a […]

Scheme to train more nurses wins prestigious prize

18 December 2025

A unique partnership between the NHS and The Open University to give people the opportunity to study for a nursing degree while training on the job has scooped a top national award. Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust and The Open University joined forces in July 2024 to give local people who had always […]

New Civic University Agreement to drive skills and innovation in Milton Keynes

1 December 2025

A new Civic University Agreement for Milton Keynes, backed by some of the city’s biggest and most innovative organisations, is set to drive skills growth and innovation across Milton Keynes. Led by The Open University, Cranfield University and Milton Keynes College, the agreement seeks to foster deeper collaboration between the signatory organisations for the benefit […]

Representatives from The Arab Open University with OU Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Josie Fraser (copyright OU)

The OU and The Arab Open University strengthen partnership

27 October 2025

The Open University (the OU) recently hosted its educational partner, The Arab Open University (the AOU) at the OU’s campus in Milton Keynes. The visit provided the opportunity for discussions on a diverse range of educational synergies between the institutions. The OU currently validates 13 AOU programmes in business, computing, education and language studies, all […]

OU Vice-Chancellor comments on Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper

21 October 2025

Following the publication of the Government’s Skills White Paper, Professor Dave Phoenix, Vice-Chancellor of The Open University, said: “At The Open University, we welcome the Government’s commitment to increasing participation in higher-level learning to 66 per cent of people by the age of 25, whether through academic, technical or apprenticeship pathways. The White Paper includes […]

The Open University and NatWest Launch ‘Open Business Creators Fund’ to Empower Women Entrepreneurs Across the UK

13 October 2025

The Open University, in partnership with NatWest and the Department for Work and Pensions, proudly announces the return of the Open Business Creators Fund, a transformative funding competition designed to support people from marginalised groups at the idea or early stages of their entrepreneurial journey. Launched on Monday 13th October in a video by Baroness […]

The Open University Partners with Anatolia to Launch Anatolia American University in Greece

11 September 2025

The Open University (OU) is proud to announce its strategic partnership with Anatolia College in the establishment of Anatolia American University, a newly licensed non-profit, non-state university in Greece. This milestone marks a significant advancement in international education and reflects the OU’s commitment to expanding access to high-quality learning across borders. The university, set to begin […]

The Open University in top 10 for course quality in Uni Compare rankings

9 June 2025

Senior leaders and staff at The Open University (OU) are celebrating after the institution jumped up 26 places into sixth position in Uni Compare’s leaderboard for course quality. Additionally, the OU, which has been providing distance learning for more than 50 years, has retained third place position in the rankings for the employability of its […]

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