The Open University

Series charts the “final countdown” in Crossrail journey

22 May 2017

More than 10,000 engineers and construction workers are racing to complete Crossrail, London’s new Underground and the biggest engineering project in Europe, in time for the first trains to start running. Over two years, the BBC has had exclusive access to this incredible construction project and, in partnership with The Open University, the series returns […]

Documentary shares uplifting stories of those with terminal illness

17 May 2017

A Time to Live, a BBC/OU co-production brings to the screen the remarkable and revealing stories of 12 people living with a terminal illness. The documentary explores the different ways the 12 people, aged from their 20s to their 60s, approach their impending death and the impact on those close to them. Through personal stories, […]

Becoming a “learning organisation” is crucial to apprenticeship success

11 May 2017

A new study from the OU has found that a staggering 45% of apprentices struggle to find time to study indicating that employers need to do more to embed learning within their businesses to ensure that apprentices have the support they need to succeed. The report In Focus: The Work-based Learning Dividend, authored by independent […]

OU celebrates ten years of life-changing learning partnership in Wales

11 May 2017

Widening access to education is what the OU is all about. In Wales, the OU is celebrating ten years of a partnership with Wales Trades Union Congress (TUC) Cymru, which has supported over 1,500 learners since its launch in 2007. The tenth anniversary of the partnership was celebrated with an event at the Senedd in Cardiff […]

OU graduate sets sail to raise funds for students

5 May 2017

To mark 50 years since the first solo voyage around the world without modern technology, and 50 years of education open to all through the OU, graduate Antoine Cousot, aims to raise £1 million for more students to share the opportunities he has had. The Antoine Cousot Scholarship Fund aims to provide 50 students with […]

The Open University honours Gaelic football icon, Mickey Harte

3 May 2017

Renowned Gaelic football manager Mickey Harte was honoured by The Open University with the award of Doctor of the University at a ceremony in Croke Park Friday 28th April. Mr Harte had his award conferred alongside 135 graduating students – from all walks of life, of all ages and backgrounds and from a spectrum of […]

‘Fundamental culture change’ needed to address skills shortage

13 April 2017

The Open University (OU) and The Association of Colleges (AoC) have come together to call for a national skills strategy, with long term investment and reform in adult education to address the skills crisis. The organisations want to work with the Government to shape adult learning across Further and Higher Education in England, and say […]

Barbican - photo courtesy of Claudia Rosani

Degree ceremonies offer chance for renewal, says OU VC

5 April 2017

The OU’s degree ceremonies have started in earnest, kicking off at London’s Barbican recently. Peter Horrocks, the OU’s Vice-Chancellor, shares his experiences and explains why they give an opportunity to both celebrate and strengthen our resolve… “They start off quietly. A few early birds arrive for the ceremony, nervously checking the logistics and where to get […]

Double celebration at Guardian University Awards

30 March 2017

Teams from The Open University picked up two wins in a glittering night at the Guardian University Awards. The Open University Business School won the Business Partnership category for its collaboration with financial services company True Potential LLP and the TESS India team, who run a large scale educational initiative, swept the board in the International Projects […]

Understanding today’s Teenagers: Child of Our Time returns to BBC One

28 March 2017

Child of Our Time: BBC ONE, 9pm, 3rd & 4th April Since the year 2000, The Open University and the BBC have followed the lives of 25 children born across the UK, to find out what makes us who we are. Now, the hugely popular series Child of Our Time returns to the BBC on […]

OU News

Category: Around the OU