The Open University

OU graduate awarded MBE for contribution to foster care

11 November 2019

Earlier this month, OU graduate, Judith Harper collected her MBE insignia from the Queen for her outstanding contribution to foster care over the last 25 years. Having fostered over 100 children with her husband, Judith was recognised for her role as a carer, helping siblings stay together as a family and giving children with additional […]

“Education has changed my life”

13 October 2019

Mark began his journey with the OU whilst serving a life-sentence in prison. Through his studies he discovered a passion for learning and since his release has enabled him to turn his life around. Now he uses his own experiences to help other prisoners learn. We spoke to Mark to discover more about how the […]

‘Studying with the OU helped me to realise my potential’

3 October 2019

Pauline registered with The Open University in its early days of inception. As a pioneer student, she has achieved a BA Hons Degree, an MSc and a Doctorate. Her career in Education has taken her across the world to Uganda – Pauline talks us through her journey. Although I spent my secondary education at a […]

‘Studying has helped me to better understand how my mind works’

2 October 2019

In 2014, Liz suffered a breakdown that grounded her life to a halt – she struggled to leave the house, and completing everyday tasks became impossible. Support from friends, counselling and baking helped ease the symptoms of anxiety. Liz went on to build her cake-making into a business, and today BuBakes has featured in numerous magazines […]

Rt Hon Gordon Brown in his robes to receive an honorary graduation

Gordon Brown receives Honorary Doctorate from The Open University

20 September 2019

Former Prime Minister, Dr Gordon Brown, has been recognised for his services to global education by The Open University (OU) at a ceremony in London. He was presented with his honorary doctorate by OU’s Chancellor Baroness Lane-Fox. Gordon Brown was awarded the Doctor of the University for his exceptional contribution to widening access to educational […]

Emma Roache stood outside Ely Cathedral in her graduation robes

Emma’s story: “Giving up was simply not an option”

20 September 2019

Emma Roache could have led a very different life to the one she leads now, thankfully she’s not one to let an unfortunate set of circumstances hold her back. After a difficult childhood, she found herself homeless at just sixteen and living in a residential B&B surrounded by crime and drugs. Under such bleak conditions, […]

Katharine Boulton at her graduation ceremony

“I realised not all was lost”

11 September 2019

“Even when things go wrong, there are always options,” says 27-year-old OU graduate Katharine Boulton. Despite not getting the university grades she hoped she would, she didn’t let this stop her and combined her industry experience with an OU Masters in Medicinal Chemistry. “I initially went to university to study forensic science,” Katharine explains. “I […]

‘It’s the reason I’m a novelist’ – award-winning children’s author talks about studying with the OU

4 September 2019

M. G. Leonard, award-winning author of bestselling children’s book series, Beetle Boy achieved a BA Degree in English Literature nearly 12 years ago. After not enjoying school and working various jobs in her 20s, the OU set Leonard on her path to becoming a writer. As we mark International Literacy Day on September 8th, Leonard […]

Donna and her husband toasting with a glass of champagne

“Language studies with the OU helped me further my career”

28 August 2019

A degree in foreign languages with the OU enabled Donna James to flourish both personally and professionally through her career development. She believes that her OU studies played a big part in furthering her career. “My greatest success was passing my degree with First-Class Honours on my 25th birthday – I practically screamed the house […]

Water on the Moon; the work behind the dream

17 July 2019

Hannah Sargeant is a PhD student at The Open University, working on techniques to extract water from Moon rocks. As around the globe, people remember the 50th anniversary of the Moon landings, we talked to her about what led her to the OU and her work as a researcher: “Why did I choose to work […]

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Category: Student stories