The Open University

Backing from UK Government for part-time study welcomed by OU

24 February 2017

The Open University has welcomed moves by the UK Government to ensure that the importance of part-time study and distance learning are fully recognised in the biggest shake-up for decades in higher education in England. Peter Horrocks, Vice-chancellor of The Open University, welcomed proposals that would require the new regulator, the Office for Students (OfS), to include explicitly options for part-time and distance learning when […]

Why the OU is not entering this year’s Teaching Excellence Framework

26 January 2017

The UK Government is piloting a new framework for measuring teaching excellence in universities called the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), with a view to providing students with more information about the quality of teaching and to improve standards. The Open University’s Vice-Chancellor, Peter Horrocks, explains why the OU has decided not to participate in this […]

Personal learning accounts could be a winning formula for adults

23 January 2017

The Open University led a global-wide round table event in conjunction with the the Association of Colleges recently to discuss the value of Personal Learning Accounts. The aim was to examine how these could promote a continuous learning culture among adults to the benefit of the economy and seek a way forward. The event was set […]

Open University responds to Government Green Paper on Industrial Strategy

23 January 2017

The launch of the Green Paper on Industrial Strategy by Prime Minister Theresa May today (23 January 2017) outlined plans to develop innovation and technology, which will support the delivery of a “high-skilled, competitive economy that benefits people throughout the UK.” As a Higher Education institution with over 170,000 student across the four nations, The […]

Diamond Review: Wales leading the way on sustainable HE funding

29 November 2016

Higher Education funding and student support in Wales is set for significant change. As the Welsh Government responds to Professor Sir Iain Diamond’s review and consults on a progressive new funding regime, Hannah Pudner, Assistant Director (External Strategy) at the OU in Wales, considers the implications for part-time students in Wales. When it was set […]

Government called on to help adults gain new skills

10 November 2016

Ahead of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement later this month The Open University is calling for government to lift the funding restriction, in England, preventing adults from retraining with a second degree. The Open University argues that extending tuition fee loans – particularly to adults wanting to study part-time for a second qualification in a new subject […]

Students offered additional learning support following OU operational difficulties

24 October 2016

The Open University has announced to its student body that it is putting in place additional learning support to help them through their studies following the operational difficulties of a new policy and system designed to increase access to tutorials. The introduction of the new tutorial delivery policy has been accompanied by a number of […]

OU backs report saying social mobility policy must embrace adult learners

10 October 2016

The Open University’s Vice-Chancellor Peter Horrocks CBE welcomes a Universities UK report out on Monday October 10 calling for older learners to feature in government policy on social mobility. The new report says that to leave mature students out of the picture, when considering social mobility, risks effectively excluding a large proportion of the population. It states: […]

Silhouettes of Business People. Image credit: Thinkstock

Social mobility must focus on adult learners too, says OU Vice-Chancellor

15 September 2016

Social mobility is certainly the hot potato where the May Government is concerned. But is the new Prime Minister really looking in the right places? asks OU Vice-Chancellor Peter Horrocks. Theresa May’s aspirations for education policy – her recent announcements on more grammar schools and allowing universities to support state schools – show a boldness that […]

Clearing 2016: OU’s firm university offer, open to everyone

17 August 2016

Across the UK young people are receiving their A-Level results, entering the clearing process and deciding what to do next. Some will take the decision to leave home and head to university. Others will be looking for alternatives to traditional university, and here’s where The Open University can help. With a strong mission that higher […]

OU News

Category: The OU speaks out