The Open University

Social mobility thread must run through new Office for Students, says OU

5 February 2018

The Open University is calling on the new Office for Students (OfS) to lead the way in improving the chances of people from disadvantaged backgrounds going to university. In a policy pamphlet: Social Mobility and the Office for Students – The Five Essentials it sets out five steps to reverse the decline in numbers of students […]

OU calls for action after figures show disadvantaged students “let down”

1 February 2018

Students from disadvantaged backgrounds are being let down by the university system in England, new figures show. A Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) assessment showed a further annual decrease of two per cent in the overall number of disadvantaged students. Although the number of people from disadvantaged backgrounds starting full-time courses went up by three […]

Open University takes lead role in new Institute of Coding

25 January 2018

More than 500,000 computer scientists are needed by 2022 The £40M Institute of Coding aims to give the UK an edge in the global digital economy It will deliver industry-focused, innovative Higher Education across the UK The Open University (OU) has been announced as a major partner in the UK’s new £40 million Institute of […]

OU calls for “urgent action” to address fall in part-time students in England

12 January 2018

The OU is renewing its call for urgent action by the UK Government after new figures showed a further year-on-year fall in the number of part-time students in England. Figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) revealed a 14 per cent drop in the number of people starting undergraduate courses in England between 2015/16 […]

Hugh’s Wild West: new BBC wildlife programme explores the West Country

3 January 2018

Lifelong nature-lover Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall pursues his fascination with the wildlife of the West Country as he teams up with the region’s most dedicated nature lovers for a new series, produced in partnership with The Open University. Hugh’s Wild West begins on Saturday 6 January at 6.15pm on BBC Two and runs for twelve episodes. Amateurs are contributing […]

2017: an award-winning year of inspiring BBC TV and radio

20 December 2017

2017 has been the most successful year to date for The Open University and BBC partnership. Our TV and radio programmes reached more people than ever before and have won an unprecedented number of awards, including a BAFTA and a Grierson. Everything we produce creates unique resources for our teaching and learning. Exploring the planet, […]

7 gifts an OU student might love

20 December 2017

This one’s for all OU students. Something to casually link to; share on Facebook with an *ahem*; or go old school and print out and highlight for your nearest and dearest. Or just place near a chimney and hope! We know how hard our students work. You’re awesome, and you deserve an awesome Christmas too. […]

OU degree led Carolyn to dream job working with forgotten apes

15 December 2017

Inspired by the great female primatologists that have gone before her, OU graduate Carolyn Thompson has always had a passion for apes. Despite being told by her careers advisor at school to pursue a different path because she “did not have a good grasp of maths and science,” she persevered, and thanks to the OU […]

The OU appoints new director in Wales

12 December 2017

The OU has appointed a new director of The Open University in Wales. Louise Casella will join the OU in Wales in the New Year, and will be responsible for the University’s provision across Wales. Louise joins the OU with considerable strategic leadership experience in higher education, including senior roles in Wales. She currently works as an […]

Five amazing advances in research at the OU in 2017

12 December 2017

From the welfare of working animals and supporting gender equality in India, to forecasting space weather and levitating water on Mars, it has been an amazing 12 months for research at the OU. Here are five that will knock your Christmas socks off. 1. Improving the welfare of working animals The OU Animal-Computer Interaction (ACI) Lab, […]

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Category: Around the OU