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Category: Student stories

Photo of OU graduate Jonathan at his degree ceremony in Manchester.

“I love learning now – I hated education before, and the OU changed that.”

When Psychology Masters graduate Jonathan left home aged 18, he was looking forward to the adventures university life would bring. By his second year, what started as an occasional flutter for fun had descended into a serious gambling habit that took hold of Jonathan’s life. Now 30, Jonathan is free of gambling and works for […]

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From shepherding in Nepal to an Open University degree – London man’s journey

From shepherding in Nepal to an Open University degree – London man’s journey

Barnet Borough councillor and semi-retired businessman Lachhya Gurung could never have predicted his journey of discovery from a teenage shepherd in a remote Nepalese village to a London home and now an Open University degree. The former Gurkha was the fourth of five sons who were born and brought up by their parents in scenic […]

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Triple Triumph: Mum and twin daughters graduate together from same university

Triple Triumph: Mum and twin daughters graduate together from same university

There was no mistaking the joy on the faces of Sarah Chappell and her twin daughters Megan and Abbey Douglas-Chappell when all three donned cap and gowns and celebrated their graduation from The Open University recently. The trio from Cambridge all studied while living under the same roof with Sarah and her husband Andrew, stepfather […]

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Jack smiling at the camera dressed in graduation gown with indoor garden to the left.

‘You’re not just improving your career prospects, you’re learning about yourself at the same time’

Working towards a degree was something Jack, 28, always assumed was in his future. After leaving school, Jack set off for a campus university but with no financial support to lean on, soon found it unsustainable. When a housemate told him about The Open University’s flexible courses, Jack couldn’t wait to dive in. Now a […]

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JAke standing in front of an Open University banner, smiling, wearing graduation cap and gown.

‘My OU qualification landed me my most recent role’

Even before Jake, 26 from Gosport, had completed his degree in BSc (Honours) Psychology, he was already making an impact in the probation service and progressing his career. Studying with The Open University (OU) meant he could gain a qualification while earning an income and valuable experience. Jake shares how online study has helped him […]

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Law grad Krishangi makes history once again

Law grad Krishangi makes history once again

Our youngest ever OU Law graduate Krishangi Meshram is in the record books again – qualifying as the youngest solicitor in England and Wales in recent times. Still only 21, Krishangi recently qualified as a lawyer and had her history-making milestone featured in The Law Society Gazette (bottom of page 11). The young scholar-turned-solicitor, who lives […]

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Image of a surfer catching a wave.

‘OU study opened the door to a whole new career,’ says trainee detective, John

When surf school owner John, 47, challenged himself with a return to education, he had two clear goals – to study a captivating subject, while unlocking new career opportunities. John never imagined that his Open University (OU) degree would set him on course to become a Detective Constable in his home county. As a new […]

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Alice on a tennis court giving a fist pump.

‘I’ve been able to achieve a Law degree without sacrificing the sport I love’ says professional tennis player Alice

Thinking ahead to life after tennis, Alice, 26, was determined to lay the foundations for a new career, while still playing the sport she loves. Discovering that she could do both by choosing to study at The Open University, Alice shares how she achieved a first-class degree in Law alongside a hectic competition schedule on […]

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Jade sitting in a wheelchair wearing sunglasses, under a tree.

“The sense of achievement is indescribable,” says proud graduate Jade

When severe health problems left Jade, 34, unable to physically attend university, she lost all hope of achieving her dream degree, fearing the opportunity had passed her by. Now a proud Psychology with Counselling graduate, Jade shares how discovering The Open University (OU) gave her the flexibility to juggle motherhood, work and study, with the […]

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Young girl with long blonde hair throwing a mortar board in the air.

‘At the OU, I was able to get on with living my life’

Jordan, a 26-year-old secondary school teacher from the Isle of Wight was able to land the job she always wanted with the help of The Open University (OU). Despite having to drop out of a campus university, she pivoted to online-supported learning with the OU and personalised her qualification to suit her lifestyle. “Like so […]

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