The Open University

Author and presenter Simon Reeve in Ireland. Image credit: BBC TWO

New TV series takes viewers on an Irish adventure

18 November 2015

In a new OU/BBC series, author and presenter Simon Reeve takes viewers on a journey to uncover the history of a country which he has never visited before: Ireland. Simon explores Ireland’s breath-taking scenery, and the surprising political and social history of the Irish; from the recent financial crisis that hit the country in 2008 and the legislation of […]

New report explores decline in part-time study

16 November 2015

A new study from a conservative think tank has explored some of the reasons behind a decline in the number of people studying part-time in recent years. The report from Bright Blue has been featured in the Financial Times and also proposes steps which could be taken by government and business to reverse the decline. […]

Investment boost for social learning platform, FutureLearn

12 November 2015

The Open University will build on the early success of its social learning platform, FutureLearn, thanks to a £13 million investment to kick-start a new phase of development and establish its position as a world leader in free online learning. Since the first courses went live on FutureLearn in October 2013, the platform has seen rapid growth, […]

New sports science documentary asks: what makes a champion?

11 November 2015

If the 1936 Olympic gold medallist Jesse Owens was to race against Usain Bolt today, he would be 14 feet behind him. Has the human race evolved so much since then to make sporting feats like this possible? Or we have a superior understanding of how get the most out of our bodies? A new […]

OU highlights skills gap to business leaders

9 November 2015

The Open University has been out in force at this year’s Confederation of British Industry (CBI) conference. The annual event in London is a gathering of business leaders from across Great Britain, and the OU was in attendance to highlight the benefits of developing skills through lifelong and part-time learning to delegates, and to promote […]

Journalist Sir Harold Evans honoured by The Open University

7 November 2015

Sir Harold Evans, one of the most significant journalists of recent times, has been presented with an honorary doctorate from The Open University. He was at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall on Friday 6 November to receive his award of Doctor of the University for exceptional contribution to education and culture, and was conferred alongside more than […]

A praying mantis feasts on a katydid in the Madagascan jungle. Image credit: Silverback Films

The Hunt is on: brand new footage revealed as predator tracks prey

29 October 2015

Predators are often perceived as being ferocious, successful hunters but the truth is, most hunts fail. A new landmark BBC natural history series uncovers dramatic and never-seen-before footage of predators and the difficulties they face in catching their prey. Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, The Hunt, produced in partnership with The Open University, travels the […]

Alan Cumming, Alison Elliot, Karen McCluskey and Heather Reid

Actor Alan Cumming becomes a ‘doctor of the universe’

25 October 2015

“I’m about to become a doctor of the universe” proclaimed actor Alan Cumming just before being awarded an honorary doctorate by The Open University for exceptional contributions to education and culture. At rehearsal for the @OUScotland #OU_Ceremonies ! I’m about to become a doctor of the universe! Oops, university! pic.twitter.com/0adsEaEgBS — Alan Cumming (@Alancumming) October […]

Businessman reading a financial report. Image credit: Thinkstock

OU responds to calls for £500m funding to be redirected from universities

21 October 2015

Leading political think-tank Policy Exchange has published a report calling on BIS to redirect £500m from universities grant funding into Further Education to boost higher level professional and technical education. The report, Higher, Further, Faster, More, says that, while UK universities are some of the best in the world, they are sitting on significant financial reserves and […]

Open University and Birkbeck join forces to call for part-time HE reform

21 October 2015

The Open University has submitted a joint response with Birkbeck to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) calling for changes to higher education policy in England to help stimulate the part-time market. Following a request for ideas by Government officials, the OU and Birkbeck have called for a number of changes, including: • […]

OU News

Category: Around the OU