The Open University

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Try before you buy: new entry route to university qualifications unveiled

26 May 2016

Major UK universities, including Leeds and The Open University, are set to offer a new route into higher education – enabling learners to earn credits towards qualifications like degrees, MBA or professional accreditation via massive open online courses (MOOCs). In a European first, learners will be able to take a series of short courses on […]

From left are John Addy, John D’Arcy, Sheila Coleman and Heather Laird.

Hillsborough justice campaigner honoured by OU

17 May 2016

Sheila Coleman, a leading member of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign, has been awarded an honorary doctorate from The Open University. The honour comes shortly after an inquest into the disaster concluded that the 96 fans who died as a result of a crush in 1989 were unlawfully killed. Recognised by the university for her contribution […]

Members of Open University staff holding up course books

OU awards for excellence in teaching and learning

29 April 2016

For more than 15 years The Open University has recognised and rewarded exceptional achievement in teaching and learning. Under the theme of Learning Now for the Future, the staff awards focus on innovation, promoting equality, supporting students, learning and teaching design, and developing students’ academic and learning skills. Each year, nominations are invited from across […]

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 […]

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 […]

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