The Open University

Open University looks to the future as it celebrates 47 years of transforming lives

26 April 2016

The Vice-Chancellor of The Open University (OU) has called on the organisation to draw inspiration from its “glorious” past as it marks the 47th anniversary of receiving its Royal Charter. A series of special events have been taking place across the OU, including keynote speeches from Peter Horrocks, as well as the University’s Pro-Chancellor, Richard Gillingwater. The […]

Dame Judy Dench performance on Shakespeare Live!

For one night only: Shakespeare Live!

22 April 2016

A once-in-a-lifetime cast of actors and musicians will perform in front of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall to mark the 400th anniversary of the death of the greatest playwright in history. Shakespeare Live! From the RSC, an OU/BBC co-production in partnership with the RSC, will be broadcast on Saturday 23 April […]

OU tops list of employer-sponsored degree providers

21 April 2016

The Open University has topped a table of providers of employer-sponsored degrees in a new report published by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI). The report – Making a Success of Employer Education – was written by the Vice-Chancellor of London South Bank University (LSBU), Professor David Phoenix, and looks at the benefit of employer-sponsored […]

No hiding place – Open University leads crackdown on online exam cheating

14 April 2016

Wiping out online exam cheating is the goal of a new Europe-wide taskforce, co-led by The Open University. The £5.5 million programme, in development, aims to create anti-cheating tools in e-learning. These include: biometrics facial recognition voice recognition keystroke recognition digital security methods and anti-plagiarism tools. They will make it possible to be certain of […]

OU’s innovative learning earns global awards

1 April 2016

The Open University is celebrating after winning top awards for its innovation and open education learning, both internationally and in the UK. The OU was named winner in four categories in the highly-competitive 2016 Awards for Open Education Excellence, presenting accolades for excellence to sites, courses and projects across the world in the field of […]

The Open University Chancellor Asa Briggs addressing the audience at a graduation ceremony.

Asa Briggs on his secret passion for writing poetry

21 March 2016

Former OU Chancellor Asa Briggs will always be remembered as one of the most important historians in Britain, world-renowned for his work in social history, culture and communications and a ‘towering figure’ in the world of education. Much less well known is that he was also a writer of poetry. Just a fortnight before his […]

Mark Lancaster MP and Keith Zimmerman, University Secretary signing the Armed Forces Covenant.

OU committed to supporting Armed Forces

16 March 2016

The OU has underlined its commitment to the Armed Forces, pledging to continue supporting servicemen and women with access to flexible higher education. The university has a long-standing relationship with the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces, with 2,000 serving members currently OU students. The university supports members of the Armed Forces into Higher Education, recognises the […]

‘Towering figure’ and former OU Chancellor, Asa Briggs, dies

15 March 2016

The OU is sad to hear of the passing of Asa Briggs, who served as the Chancellor of The Open University from 1978 to 1994. He died today (15 March) at his home in Lewes, aged 94. He played a significant role in the development of the University and remained a great friend and supporter […]

Tributes pour in for Professor Doreen Massey

14 March 2016

It was with great sadness that colleagues and students heard the news that Doreen Massey, Emeritus Professor in the Social Sciences Faculty, died on Friday 11 March. Doreen was an eminent and pioneering intellectual, who received many awards and accolades at the highest level throughout her career. Doreen developed an understanding of social space as […]

50 years since the dawn of the ‘University of the Air’

25 February 2016

Fifty years ago today, a government White Paper was published, which introduced the concept of The Open University (OU). Originally called the ‘University of the Air’, the OU was the realisation of the dream of one person; Jennie Lee. As the Arts Minister at the time, Jennie Lee was the driving force behind the OU, battling fierce […]

OU News

Category: Around the OU