The Open University

New programme offers Black students chance for free degree study

19 May 2022

Fifty Black UK-based students on lower incomes are being offered the opportunity to study for a degree for free through The Open University, via the Black Students Support Fund. The Fund is part of a series of scholarships, worth more than £2.6 million in total, and is designed to open doors for people who might […]

OU responds to Education Select Committee report about prisoner education

18 May 2022

The House of Commons Education Select Committee has today published its report ‘Not just another brick in the wall: why prisoners need an education to climb the ladder of opportunity’. The Open University is the primary provider of higher education in prisons and secure units in England and Wales, operating in over 150 prisons across […]

OU launches support package to help Ukraine

16 May 2022

The Open University (OU) has launched a raft of measures aimed at helping students and Ukrainians fleeing the war and arriving in the UK. These include financial support and assistance for existing OU students, a funding lifeline to potential students from Ukraine now living in the UK, as well as free online learning and partnerships […]

REF 2021 recognises 82% of OU research impact as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent.’

12 May 2022

The Open University (OU)’s commitment to research and societal impact is recognised today (Thursday, 12 May), with 82% of its research impact assessed to be ‘world-leading’ (4*) or ‘internationally excellent’ (3*) by the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. These results are a welcome acknowledgement of the impact of OU researchers’ work in transforming lives, shaping […]

OU offers funding opportunity for disabled veterans

11 May 2022

A scholarship fund with the potential to change people’s lives is open for applications. Now in its fifth year, The Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund (DVSF) is once again open for applications offering 50 free study places at The Open University (OU) to individuals injured or disabled as a result of military service. So far, the […]

Refugees walking along with their belongings. Image credit:Thinkstock

Open University launches fund for displaced refugees

9 May 2022

A new fund has been launched by The Open University (OU) to support people displaced by conflict or crisis to build a brighter and better future. The Open Futures Sanctuary Scholarships programme is designed to help refugees, forced migrants and people seeking asylum; those fleeing armed conflict, violence, or persecution in their home nation, including […]

The Open University recognises major individual contributions with honorary awards

12 April 2022

After an absence of two years due to Covid restrictions, honorary graduates recently picked up their awards in person, at ceremonies in both London and Brighton. British-Iraqi businessman David Dangoor, who is a major educational and scientific philanthropist, attended the ceremony at The Barbican on one of two days’ celebrations to become a Doctor of […]

Wave of student scholarships launched giving chance for free study

28 March 2022

A series of student support scholarships, worth more than £2.6 million, and designed to open doors for people who might not otherwise be able to afford a degree, are available to apply for from today through The Open University (OU). The Open Futures Fund provides life-changing scholarships, bursaries, and support to disabled veterans, Black […]

OU distance learning student Halima shows her study space at home

The OU partners with Alamy to build a photo collection to better represent Black and Asian students

18 January 2022

To inspire learners from diverse backgrounds to achieve their ambitions, The Open University has commissioned a set of stunning portraits by British Pakistani photographer Inzajeano Latif to capture the perspective of Black and South Asian distance learning students in the UK. The images showcase four Open University students, pictured in their own homes where they […]

OU’s free learning site turns 15 and reaches 100m visitors

12 January 2022

The Open University’s (OU) free learning site, OpenLearn, is celebrating a milestone after clocking up 100 million visitors in the 15 years since it was launched. Established as a trailblazing open educational resource, OpenLearn has successfully broken down barriers to education, with over a thousand courses and 15,000 hours of educational interactives, videos and articles. […]

OU News

Category: University news