The Open University

Reports renew the campaign to shine light on part-time learning

16 March 2018

New reports from MillionPlus and the Sutton Trust put the spotlight firmly on the decline in part-time student numbers. Both reports follow on from OU Vice-Chancellor, Peter Horrocks’ recent interventions in the campaign, which helped lead to part-time and distance learning teaching being part of the Post-18 Review in England. Commenting at the publication of […]

FutureLearn marks fifth anniversary with news of postgraduate degrees with OU

15 March 2018

FutureLearn, The Open University’s wholly-owned social learning platform, celebrated its fifth birthday by announcing plans to host Post Graduate degrees courses by the OU. The announcement was made during a celebratory reception at the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday March 14. The event was sponsored by Baroness Martha Lane-Fox of Soho, CBE and was attended […]

Open University calls for Apprenticeship shake up

14 March 2018

Vice-Chancellor calls for ‘modular apprenticeships’ to develop bespoke programmes, custom-made for business needs One in three (32%) business leaders want apprenticeships with greater flexibility New approach would put employers in control, as well as addressing existing concerns about content and adaptability Today Peter Horrocks, Vice-Chancellor of The Open University, will call for a relaxation of […]

It’s time to work together to make apprenticeships work

8 March 2018

With new statistics showing a lack of faith in the UK government’s apprenticeship target, the OU presses for joined up working to enable the scheme to succeed in this National Apprenticeship Week. A survey by the Chartered Management Institute found that nearly half of managers surveyed believed the UK government is unlikely to reach its […]

Message to OU students from the Vice-Chancellor: Pension Strikes

6 March 2018

“The Open University, along with more than 60 others around the UK, is caught up in industrial action called by with the University and College Union (UCU) over future pension arrangements. “I very much hope that this long-running and complex dispute can be resolved in national negotiations, and I welcome the agreement by both sides […]

Open University welcomes tech pioneer Jacqueline de Rojas to Institute of Coding

6 March 2018

Jacqueline de Rojas CBE, President of techUK, has been appointed co-chair of the Institute of Coding (IoC) which brings together industry and academia in a co-ordinated effort to address the UK’s digital skills gap. The Open University is one of the key partners in the Institute of Coding, leading on graduate employability and the […]

How to study with mental health issues – advice to students from students

1 March 2018

The OU has more students who tell us about their mental health issues than any other university in the UK. From talking to your tutor to binge studying on the good days, from planning your day to embracing even the smallest achievement, here’s some sage advice from those who’ve been there… 1) It’s good to […]

Why “civilisation” remains a contested term: OU academics explain

28 February 2018

The new landmark BBC series, Civilisations, co-produced by The Open University, is set to bring history and art to life in a stunning piece of television. Presenters Simon Schama, Mary Beard and David Olusoga travel the globe to examine dazzling works of art and history – helping us to re-examine our own place in the […]

Open University statement on USS pension dispute

23 February 2018

The Open University is one of more than 350 Higher Education and related institutions across the United Kingdom that participate in the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). It is also one of over 60 institutions facing industrial action regarding proposed changes to USS. The latest valuation of the scheme, conducted by the independent trustees of USS, […]

Civilisations: New landmark BBC series an antidote to modern life

22 February 2018

We live in an age where popular social media videos are often less than 30 seconds long, and people’s attention spans are shorter due to our busy, multi-tasking lives. But now, people are encouraged to pause and enjoy a new visual spectacular from The Open University and the BBC. Civilisations, the new landmark series starting […]

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Category: Around the OU