The Open University

Open University and colleges extend Functional Skills partnership

13 May 2019

Free Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English are now being offered by The Open University in partnership with local Further Education Colleges. 12,000 people have already accessed the OU’s Level 1 Functional Skills free course materials in Maths and English since they were launched in February 2019. Functional Skills are part of the […]

The Open University appoints new Vice-Chancellor

8 May 2019

The Open University has appointed Professor Tim Blackman as its next Vice-Chancellor who will take up his new role on the 1 October. Professor Blackman is currently Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University and has served in this role since July 2015. Prior to Middlesex University, he was Acting Vice–Chancellor at The Open University and previously Pro […]

Funding supports Floodplain Meadows Partnership

1 May 2019

A new grant from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation has given a fresh boost to the work of the Open University-led Floodplain Meadows Partnership. The Floodplain Meadows Partnership is an innovative project focusing on research, management, promotion and restoration of these special meadows in England and Wales. The grant of £280,000 is to support the latest […]

The Open University secures £50m investment in social learning platform FutureLearn

29 April 2019

SEEK Group investment takes FutureLearn from start-up to a £100m value company in just six years SEEK Group (ASX: SEK) will invest £50m to become a joint, 50% owner of The Open University’s FutureLearn social learning platform, it was announced today in a deal thought to be the largest ever private-sector EdTech investment in Europe. […]

Photograph of a large group of people celebrating

Celebrate OU: How we’re marking our 50th

22 April 2019

It’s not every day you reach half a century and so we’re making sure we mark it properly! Up and down the country, in our nations, up mountains and in fields we’re getting ready to celebrate. There’s all sorts of activity going on, from baking cakes and fanfares to social media messaging. All of them […]

“Being Chancellor was a great privilege” – Baroness Betty Boothroyd’s message of support as The Open University turns 50

19 April 2019

Meeting thousands of graduates during her time as Chancellor of The Open University, Baroness Betty Boothroyd says having this role at the OU “was a great privilege and something I really enjoyed.” She attended many of the OU’s degree ceremonies, which she described as “a most moving experience”, and in her maiden speech to The […]

BBC documentary marks 50 years of OU

18 April 2019

The BBC marks a half century of The Open University with a new, hour-long documentary capturing the journey of our institution over the last 50 years. Happy Birthday OU: 50 Years of the Open University is the title of the documentary, narrated by comedian, actor and OU alumni Sir Lenny Henry. Sir Lenny gained a […]

OU digital access for prisons and secure hospitals “shone out” in The Guardian University Awards 2019

11 April 2019

A project which provides digital access to study materials for students in secure environments, such as prisons and secure hospitals, has won the widening access and outreach category in the Guardian University Awards. The award, which was presented to the OU team at the Guardian University Awards ceremony in London yesterday (10 April) was for […]

Honorary degrees celebrate contributions to culture, education, veterinary science and linguistics

22 March 2019

Today’s Open University degree ceremony at The Barbican, London, kicked off the spring graduation season in the OU’s 50th anniversary year. Alongside hundreds of Open University students receiving their awards, Sharon Corr, Baroness Jean Coussins and Professor Noel Fitzpatrick were conferred with honorary degrees. Sharon Corr – exceptional contribution to education and culture Singer, songwriter and […]

Universities Minister, Chris Skidmore MP, visits The Open University

15 March 2019

Chris Skidmore MP, Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation today visited The Open University campus in Milton Keynes, meeting staff and students. Greeted by Professor Mary Kellett, Vice-Chancellor of The Open University, the Minister was introduced to the OU’s role in society, detailing the reach, scale and diversity of the university. The visit also […]

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