The Open University

OU joins FutureLearn on microcredentials launch

11 February 2020

The Open University is among some of the most innovative universities in the world launching seven new microcredentials on its part-owned FutureLearn.com site, the leading social learning platform. This first suite of microcredentials includes six partners from the United Kingdom and Ireland, Australia and the USA. These founding microcredential partners joining forces in this exciting […]

Finding out the secrets of the museum

6 February 2020

An exquisite 18th century portrait, a colourful Dior dress and dozens of delightful curiosities. These are just some of the fascinating secrets revealed in a new six-part OU/BBC co-production that lets cameras go behind the scenes at the world-famous Victoria and Albert Museum. Starting on Thursday 6 February Secrets of the Museum begins on BBC […]

Pay attention to part-time, report demands

6 February 2020

The needs of part-time students have never been more pressing, a report by the OU and the Higher Education Policy Institute finds. The wide-ranging report from the HE thinktank and the OU considers the sharp decline in the numbers of part-time learners, hearing the views of the people themselves. Author Dr John Butcher presents Unheard: […]

Series sees Ed Balls explore rise of populism

22 January 2020

Former politician-turned presenter Ed Balls embarks on his travels again in this new BBC/OU co-production, which this time finds him in Europe. After the success of Travels in Trumpland, Ed heads to Europe to discover how the divisions exposed by Brexit are reflected in the rest of the EU. The three-part series – Travels in […]

Open University set to train West Midlands residents in next-gen cyber skills

13 January 2020

Computer experts from The Open University (OU) will roll out a FREE cyber programme for residents across the West Midlands. The Open University has created a specialist cyber programme to provide industry standard training for residents across the region. Funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) as part of the Beat the Bots Fund, […]

Getting to know the Green Originals

10 January 2020

A new radio series – co-produced by The Open University and the BBC – recognises the pioneers of the environmental movement who championed “green” causes and changed thinking. The Rainforest loggers in Brazil, land rights in Australia, the hole in the ozone layer and paying attention to climate change – all of these and more […]

Cindy’s story: “Anything is possible”

28 December 2019

In 2003, Cindy Vanstone’s world was turned upside down. Her son was diagnosed with hydrocephalus and needed care around the clock, causing Cindy to give up work and care for him full-time. “Before then, my life would have been considered pretty normal,” says Cindy. “I had a good job in finance, a beautiful daughter and […]

“The OU changed my career prospects” Gary shares his story

27 December 2019

At the age of 14, Gary Steel left school to care for his mum. His education had been severely impacted by his caring responsibilities and despite being capable, he left school with no qualifications and entered the job market. A few years later he had the opportunity to attend a lecture with his partner who […]

My OU journey has been life altering

26 December 2019

As Justine Wilkes-Kendall crossed the stage at the Barbican degree ceremony, she was proudly proving wrong the words of her social worker many years before who told her that as someone who’d been in the care system, she was “statistically more likely to go to prison than to university”. “These words really stuck with me […]

OU researchers make new discoveries set to reveal the geology of planets outside our Solar System

23 December 2019

Three OU astronomers today announce ground-breaking discoveries allowing scientists to understand planets outside our Solar System. Professor Carole Haswell, Dr Daniel Staab and Dr John Barnes discovered three, new, nearby planetary systems. Research led by Professor Haswell found the exoplanets – planets outside the Solar System – as part of the Dispersed Matter Planet Project […]

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Category: Around the OU