The Open University

‘Urgent action’ needed to protect adult education

6 July 2016

New report sponsored by The Open University calls for cohesive national strategy to protect adult education The first report commissioned by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Adult Education, sponsored by The Open University and conducted by the Institute for Employment Research (IER) at Warwick University, has called for a cohesive national strategy for adult education. […]

OU Vice-Chancellor: Brexit vote highlights social inequality

30 June 2016

The Vice-Chancellor of The Open University, Peter Horrocks, has used a keynote speech to highlight a link between levels of degree attainment and how parts of the UK voted in the referendum. Addressing the Forum for Access and Continuing Education (FACE) Annual Conference in Belfast, Mr Horrocks called on the government to address the “national […]

EU referendum: initial response from The Open University

24 June 2016

Following the vote to leave the EU, the Vice-Chancellor of The Open University, Peter Horrocks, has highlighted the important role the OU continues to play. While it will take some time for the full details and potential impact of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU to become clear, Mr Horrocks has written to staff : “Such […]

OU urges focus on skills for older workers

21 June 2016

The Open University has issued a call to businesses to ensure their workforce has the skills they need to remain competitive throughout all stages of their careers. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s flagship Today Programme, the OU’s Director of External Engagement Steve Hill told listeners that, with around a third of the UK workforce aged […]

Bettany at Berlin Wall - East-side Gallery

Meet the geniuses of the modern world in OU/BBC programme

16 June 2016

Three of the greatest minds of the modern world are explored in a three-part series, presented by broadcaster and historian, Bettany Hughes. Broadcast on BBC Four at 21:00 from Thursday 16 June 2016, Genius of the Modern World considers the lives of three men born in a 19th century world – a period dominated by […]

“Learning is a lifelong experience” Sir David Cannadine tells OU graduates

10 June 2016

One of the UK’s leading historians, Sir David Cannadine, has told OU graduates that the university has “irrevocably transformed higher education for the better” as he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate at a ceremony in Manchester today. Sir David joined more than 250 OU students collecting their qualifications at Manchester’s Bridgwater Hall, alongside social justice […]

Universities Minister highlights importance of lifetime learning

10 June 2016

The Universities and Science Minister, Jo Johnson MP, has used a keynote speech to highlight the importance of life-long access to higher education. Addressing the annual conference of the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) at London’s Regent’s University, Mr Johnson said that “the student journey can only be regarded as a success if it is […]

Open University honours legal pioneer Baroness Brenda Hale

6 June 2016

The Right Honorable the Baroness Hale of Richmond, Deputy President of the Supreme Court, received an Honorary Doctorate from The Open University at its degree ceremony in Ely on Saturday, 4 June. The most senior female judge in UK history, Baroness Hale was nominated for the award as a result of her exceptional contribution […]

Meet the OU academics behind The Big C and Me TV series

3 June 2016

OU academics are often nominated to work as consultants on Open University TV and radio co-productions which align with their areas of professional expertise. But what does this mean? They’re nominated by their faculty to consult on co-productions and work closely with the programme makers throughout, advising on research topics, commenting on draft scripts, fact checking and providing […]

Silhouettes of Business People. Image credit: Thinkstock

Try before you buy: new entry route to university qualifications unveiled

26 May 2016

Major UK universities, including Leeds and The Open University, are set to offer a new route into higher education – enabling learners to earn credits towards qualifications like degrees, MBA or professional accreditation via massive open online courses (MOOCs). In a European first, learners will be able to take a series of short courses on […]

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Category: Around the OU