The Open University

Presenter Justin Rowlatt in a flight simulator, copyright Attaboy TV

Production reveals the truth behind those cheap holiday flights

28 November 2024

Cheap flights have transformed the holiday industry and the way we fly around the globe. A new OU-BBC co-production takes a closer look at these bargain deals which have helped many people travel to the sun. Cheap Flights: What They Really Mean For You is a one-off documentary to be broadcast on Thursday 28 November […]

OU / BBC content to watch during this year’s Scam Safe Week

25 November 2024

Following the success of last year’s inaugural initiative, BBC Scam Safe week is back. Starting on 23 November, Scam Safe week features content from across the BBC including co-productions with The Open University (OU). With scammers growing bolder amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, experts aim to provide a timely piece of public service into the […]

Researchers launch new health and wellbeing toolkit

20 November 2024

The Open University, in partnership with the University of Bedfordshire and the Campaign for Learning, has developed a range of resources to empower people of all ages to lead healthier and happier lives. Funded by Hallmark Foundation, the Live Well Together toolkit consists of fun activities, games and useful tips and ideas that are grouped […]

OU students have chance to bolster their funds with cash grant

11 November 2024

The Open University is pleased to announce the return of Brighter Futures Grants, in collaboration with Santander Universities, which offers 10 lucky students the chance to win a £1,000 award to support their academic journey. Recipients can spend the funds to help focus on their studies, including rent, bills, groceries, textbooks, tech, and more. All […]

How immigration became a burning political issue

11 November 2024

A new two-part Open University/BBC co-production, which airs today, Monday 11 November on BBC2 at 9pm, asks the question as to who or what made immigration something that could not be ignored. Sociology Lecturer Dr Kathryn Medien was the OU consultant on the documentary Immigration: How British Politics Failed which interviews past Prime Ministers including […]

We did it again! OpenLearn celebrates milestone in access to free learning

31 October 2024

We’ve hit a million again! That’s the amount of free course enrolments The Open University’s OpenLearn platform has clocked up over the past 12 months. Additionally, the number of people actually registered with OpenLearn has reached an outstanding four million and that includes almost half a million new accounts. But that’s not the only achievement. […]

Professor Tim Blackman steps down as Vice-Chancellor at The Open University

29 October 2024

Professor Tim Blackman has today announced that he is stepping down from his role as Vice-Chancellor at The Open University earlier than planned so that he can focus on his cancer treatment. The decision was confirmed this morning in an email to colleagues at the University from Chair Malcolm Sweeting, who had previously shared news […]

Lack of budget and technical skills holding UK businesses back from improved productivity

28 October 2024

As the UK grapples with stagnant productivity growth, a new report from The Open University reveals that one in four businesses (27%) believe productivity has declined over the past five years, reflecting broader concerns ahead of the upcoming Budget. The report, based on a YouGov survey of over 500 UK businesses, uncovers a disconnect in […]

A new report calls for better support for people experiencing early pregnancy endings in the workplace

24 October 2024

New research into early pregnancy endings is calling on employers to adopt more inclusive and supportive policies for those experiencing pregnancy endings in the workplace. Authored by Professor Jo Brewis from The Open University, with colleagues from the OU, the University of Essex, University of Plymouth, UCL and Aston University, the report found that many […]