The Open University

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 […]

Don’t ignore part-time study

4 August 2016

A report by the Department for Education into widening participating in higher education found that the percentage of state-educated pupils going on to universities and colleges in 2013/14 fell to 62%, from 66% in the previous year. Leading figures from across the education sector are calling on the Government for an urgent review and action […]

Open University responds to review of Research Excellence Framework

29 July 2016

The independent review of the process for assessing university research and allocating public funding has been published by Lord Nicholas Stern outlining proposals to protect and strengthen the UK’s leadership in world-class research. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is run every 5 to 6 years and requires UK universities, that conduct research, to submit their top research […]

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Category: The OU speaks out