The Open University

Open University statement on U.S. sanctions against Cuba and other countries

8 November 2017

The Open University received legal advice that, due to various operational links with the United States, it should comply with US comprehensive sanctions against a number of countries, including Cuba. Taking into account the relevant regulations, the legal advice and after a careful assessment of risk, the OU reluctantly decided that it should suspend […]

OU graduation stories: ‘The most extraordinary moment of my life’

2 November 2017

Here we tell the incredible story of John Spence from Cardiff who has recently achieved his dream of gaining a BSc Honours degree, thanks to the OU. John has disabilities and severe dyslexia, and says he was mocked at school by his peers and told he would “amount to nothing” and “did not deserve to be […]

#Iwas social media campaign wins UK award

19 October 2017

A campaign celebrating the OU’s diverse student community won a UK-wide social media award. The #Iwas campaign was announced as winner of the Best Audience Engagement Campaign category in the UK Social Media Communications Awards, 2017. The campaign drew on the experience of the OU’s broad depth of students and alumni who took to social media […]

Age is no barrier to OU success as new graduates prove

13 October 2017

From age 18 to 81, this year hundreds of our students – at all stages of life – have celebrated achieving their degrees. The wide range of ages shows the OU welcomes everyone to study, at any age and time of life. Teenager celebrates degree Among the delighted graduates this year was 18-year-old Imran Nasim from […]

Celebrating the success of our students on a global scale

6 October 2017

The OU is pleased to congratulate its students, who have achieved honours in a global undergraduate competition. The Undergraduate Awards (UA) Programme is the world’s largest international academic awards programme, and 27 OU students have achieved honours in the 2017 awards. The UA programme recognises innovation and excellence at undergraduate level. For the first time this […]

Barbican - photo courtesy of Claudia Rosani

OU honours digital entrepreneur for encouraging diversity in science and technology

29 September 2017

Digital entrepreneur, Lopa Patel, has been awarded an honorary degree in recognition of her contributions to encouraging diversity and inclusion in science and technology, and her wider impact on British culture, industry, and society. The OU presented Lopa Patel MBE with a Doctor of the University by Vice Chancellor, Peter Horrocks, at its recent Barbican […]

OU honours leading science educator for widening participation in space science

22 September 2017

Science writer and educator, Emily Lakdawalla, has been awarded an honorary degree in recognition of her contributions to planetary and space science communication. The OU presented Emily Lakdawalla with a Doctor of the University at its recent Barbican Degree Ceremony. Senior Editor of The Planetary Society, Emily is respected internationally as a passionate advocate for […]

Extending our reach – how validation helps more people gain degrees

22 September 2017

The role of universities in validating degrees – rubber stamping degrees which are achieved at a different college or institution – will be more important than ever in the emerging Higher Education landscape. So says Phil Berry, Director, OU Validation Partnerships, who reflects on the place of validation in UK universities. Writing on the HE […]

OU and National Extension College campaign to widen access to Higher Education

14 September 2017

The OU and National Extension College (NEC) are launching a joint campaign to improve the life chances of those from low income groups or without previous qualifications through distance and lifelong learning. In response to a 50% decline in the number of students aged over 21 entering into Higher Education in the last ten […]

English in Action wins top award for innovation in international education

11 September 2017

The OU’s English in Action project has won the award for progressive education delivery at this year’s PIEoneer Awards. The Awards, which took place in London on 8 September 2017, celebrate the most innovative work being done across the international education sector. Matthew Foster, director of the International Development Office at the OU says: We […]

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