The Open University

Budget 2017: Government must “jumpstart” its support for learn and earn

13 November 2017

The Open University has joined forces with the Institute of Directors (IoD) to call on the Government to use the upcoming Budget announcement to “jumpstart” support for lifelong learning in the UK. In a joint letter to Chancellor Philip Hammond, OU Vice-Chancellor Peter Horrocks and the IoD’s Director General Stephen Martin, urged him to recognise that […]

The OU spreads its wings and takes its apprenticeship expertise to the US

13 November 2017

The Open University has partnered with the Transatlantic Apprenticeship Exchange Forum (TAEF) to support the United States in its drive to expand modern and non-traditional apprenticeships. Marking the start of US National Apprenticeship Week, 13-19 November 2017, the OU and TAEF have announced an alliance that will see both organisations work with a range of […]

Girl holding head against a school blackboard

Education does not start – or end – at school, says OU Vice-Chancellor

10 November 2017

Imagine not doing well at school. Imagine being told you’ll amount to nothing. And imagine carrying that around with you for decades. One of the highlights of my role as Vice-Chancellor is to meet many of our students as they cross the stage to become graduates. And to see the pride and new-found confidence that […]

Blue Planet II a big hit with younger audiences

10 November 2017

Recent figures show the first episode of Blue Planet II was watched by 2.3 million viewers aged 16 – 34, with a total of 14 million throughout the UK tuning in. The new series produced by the BBC Natural History Unit in partnership with OU and narrated by Sir David Attenborough, brings audiences closer to […]

New TV series unlocks the Languages Of Ulster

8 November 2017

A fascinating, new three-part documentary series, co-produced by The Open University and BBC Two Northern Ireland, Languages of Ulster begins on Sunday 12th November at 10pm. It explores Ulster’s unique linguistic traditions – Irish Gaelic, northern Hiberno English and Ulster-Scots – and the relationship between them. The Concise Ulster Dictionary will guide us as […]

Open University statement on U.S. sanctions against Cuba and other countries

8 November 2017

The Open University received legal advice that, due to various operational links with the United States, it should comply with US comprehensive sanctions against a number of countries, including Cuba. Taking into account the relevant regulations, the legal advice and after a careful assessment of risk, the OU reluctantly decided that it should suspend […]

OU graduation stories: ‘The most extraordinary moment of my life’

2 November 2017

Here we tell the incredible story of John Spence from Cardiff who has recently achieved his dream of gaining a BSc Honours degree, thanks to the OU. John has disabilities and severe dyslexia, and says he was mocked at school by his peers and told he would “amount to nothing” and “did not deserve to be […]

Blue Planet II academic consultants on the message that humanity cannot afford to ignore

31 October 2017

As expected, the first episode of Sir David Attenborough’s Blue Planet II has been greeted with rapturous applause. But alongside the gasps of delight at the beauty of the natural world, the programme came with an urgent message for viewers which we can no longer afford to ignore. Produced by the BBC’s Natural History Unit […]

OU Vice-Chancellor tells universities to wake up to the digital future

27 October 2017

Peter Horrocks, the vice-chancellor of The Open University, has warned that higher education is years behind in maximising the use of digital technology. In a speech to the European Association of Distance Teaching Universities conference in Milton Keynes, he said universities had a crucial role to play in developing the “digitally enabled citizens” of the […]

Three things the OU is doing to make a difference for part-time students

26 October 2017

Vice-Chancellor of The Open University, Peter Horrocks, updates our students in this video. He focuses on: Talking to students, meeting graduates at degree ceremonies and using social media What he is doing to fight for the interests of part-time students – you can read more about his views in this article Planning for the future of […]

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Category: Around the OU