The Open University

The Open University launches free financial literacy course for secondary schools in partnership with the Harrison Foundation

13 February 2026

The Open University (OU), in partnership with the Harrison Foundation, has launched a new free financial literacy resource for 15 to 17-year-old secondary school students, designed to support teachers delivering statutory financial education within PSHE. Hosted on the OU’s OpenLearn Create platform, the course, Managing My Money For Young Adults, provides a structured five-hour programme […]

Launch of the Amar bari, amar jibon [My home, my life] Report at the House of Lords

New study calls for action on inadequate housing facing long-established older Bangladeshi Communities in East London

9 February 2026

A landmark, pioneering study into the lived housing experiences of older Bangladeshi adults has revealed how lifelong housing inequalities intensify in later life and calls for action to tackle the housing, care and health inequities uncovered. The report – Amar bari, amar jibon [My home, my life] – led by researchers at The Open University […]

The Open University launches new toolkit to support parents of neurodivergent children as research reveals families feel overwhelmed and under-resourced

9 February 2026

With neurodiversity diagnoses rising across the UK, new research from The Open University (OU) reveals that many parents of neurodivergent children are struggling to find clear, trustworthy and practical guidance, despite actively searching for support. The survey of 1,000 UK parents of neurodivergent children found that while 70% say they have a trusted place to […]

Professor Teresa Cremin, CBE, delivers keynote speech at National Year of Reading launch

22 January 2026

Professor Teresa Cremin, CBE delivers keynote speech at National Year of Reading launch Professor of literacy, Teresa Cremin, CBE, delivered an inspirational keynote speech at the National Year of Reading 2026 launch, where she called for everyone to “Go all in Together” to help more young people discover the joy of reading. In her speech, Professor Cremin, […]

OU / BBC radio series, Word of Mouth, returns

8 January 2026

A new seven-part OU/BBC radio series of Word of Mouth begins on Thursday, 8th January, and will air weekly at 15:30 on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. The series is presented by celebrated author Michael Rosen and explores the world of words and how we use them. In the first episode, Michael goes on an alphabetical odyssey with linguist Danny Bate, author of […]

Double celebration for father and daughter’s Open University graduation

6 January 2026

It was a real family affair when David Stewart graduated from The Open University with a BA in Arts and Humanities because his daughter Eleanor picked up her own degree at the same time in Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. Yet it was the retired teacher’s youngest daughter, Martha, 25, whose successful efforts to apply for university […]

From sun safety to sex appeal: what sunscreen ads reveal about beauty ideals and power

6 January 2026

Lauren Alex O’Hagan, The Open University and Lame M. Kenalemang-Palm, Shanghai University In the depths of winter, sunscreen might not be top of many people’s shopping lists. Yet it remains a staple in most households, and many of us are encouraged to use it year-round. But sunscreen’s history reveals more than just protection from the […]

Scheme to train more nurses wins prestigious prize

18 December 2025

A unique partnership between the NHS and The Open University to give people the opportunity to study for a nursing degree while training on the job has scooped a top national award. Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust and The Open University joined forces in July 2024 to give local people who had always […]

Mini course about mental health is fastest growing on OU free learning site

12 December 2025

Bite-sized learning about mental health in the 21st century is capturing interest at The Open University by becoming one of its most popular free courses in the past year. The OU’s free learning site OpenLearn held an audit of its wealth of short online courses over the past 12 months and found an incredible 13.3 million visits recorded. Topping the list of the most popular free courses launched in […]

How to make new housing estates work for the people who live there

13 November 2025

The UK is grappling with a housing crisis, with a shortage of 2.5 million homes in England alone. To address this, the government has pledged to build 1.5 million homes by 2029 and 12 new towns before the next election. Building new homes, as part of small developments or in large new towns, is imperative for affordable and […]

OU News

Category: Education, languages and health