The Open University

New university collaborative ‘ResearchPlus’ announced to give leading research universities a voice and help boost UK research and innovation.

26 June 2025

Today, ten leading research-focused universities announced their intention to form a new strategic partnership. ‘ResearchPlus’ will give a collective voice to universities that constitute a critical element of the UK’s research and innovation system, and that deliver vital research-informed education and advanced skills. ResearchPlus has the primary aim of enhancing the strength of the UK’s […]

Skills organisation for young people partners with The Open University

24 June 2025

Birmingham-based Young Leaders Club (YLC) is working with The Open University (OU) to help young people from underrepresented backgrounds reach for their goals through an exciting education collaboration. This new partnership will extend the club’s existing educational support by signposting its members to the OU’s OpenLearn Create platform, a treasure-trove of free courses on skills […]

New OU/BBC co-production explores mental health

19 June 2025

A new OU/BBC programme Heston: My life with bipolar airs on Thursday 19 June, at 8pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. Heston Blumenthal is one the world’s greatest chefs, with six Michelin stars to his name. Yet in 2023, Heston started experiencing hallucinations and suicidal thoughts, his behaviour so extreme, wife Melanie decided to […]

Free course aims to raise the profile of women composers in classical music

18 June 2025

A new free course from The Open University’s OpenLearn site has been launched aimed at helping performers in the classical music industry to diversify their repertoire to include more works by women composers. The short course called “Women transforming classical music” spans just six hours, and is aimed at ensembles, individuals and organisations within the […]

Open University Tutor awarded OBE for services to Education

16 June 2025

OU Tutor Dr Diane Swift has been awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in the King’s 2025 birthday honours list, for her services to education. Diane teaches and authors materials for the Primary Education modules and has been involved in the development of the apprenticeships for Teaching Assistants which she has shared through the OU’s […]

Baroness Smith visiting The Open University and meeting students. Copyright: OU

Skills Minister visits The Open University

12 June 2025

Baroness Smith of Malvern, Minister for Skills, visited The Open University (OU)’s Milton Keynes campus to meet with students and to hear about how the OU is breaking down barriers to opportunity and widening access to higher education. The Minister, who oversees Higher Education and adult education in England, was welcomed by the OU’s Interim […]

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 […]

Empowering dyslexic learners for a brighter future all round

6 June 2025

Unleashing the power of dyslexic pupils is behind new evidence-based training hosted by OpenLearn Create in partnership with global charity Made By Dyslexia. A free one-hour training package is aimed at teaching staff and parents, and covers topics from advice and hints to top tips for supporting dyslexic learning to help pupils shine. OpenLearn Create […]

Rethinking our national and international issues

4 June 2025

If you’ve ever wondered how a major emerging national or international issue might play out through alternative solutions by decisionmakers, then check out The Open University/BBC radio series Rethink on BBC Radio 4. The OU’s Professor of Politics and International Studies Simon Usherwood was the consultant to programme makers for this third series that looks […]

Listen to the new season of radio series, Rare Earth

30 May 2025

Today at midday (30 May) the OU/BBC radio series, Rare Earth, returns with a fifth series with environmental journalist Tom Heap and physicist Helen Czerski on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. Rare Earth is a weekly podcast and radio show which digs into the biggest issues facing our planet. Each week, hosts Tom and […]

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Category: Around the OU