The Open University

OU was ‘a natural choice’ for former professional cricketer Adrian Rollins

26 July 2018

With two double centuries, more than fifty 50s and fifteen 100s scored and a total of 9,000 runs in all his cricket appearances, professional cricket player Adrian Rollins was at the height of his career when a sudden injury changed everything. Fielding close to the wicket for Northamptonshire, Adrian took a catch diving forward with […]

OU student who battled against the odds is Wales’ Adult Learner of the Year

19 June 2018

An OU in Wales student who was mocked at school and reached his mid-30s having never read a book received the Life Change and Overall Winner of the Year awards at this year’s Inspire! Adult Learning Awards. Cardiff-born John Spence was bullied at school because he couldn’t read, and by the time he left aged […]

A PhD isn’t possible with three children, is it? Diane would argue otherwise

1 June 2018

Originally from the Isles of Scilly, in 2009, Diane Coral Turner, 42, enrolled on her part-time PhD with The Open University, collaborating with Amersham Hospital and Medical Detection Dogs to develop techniques for diagnosing bladder cancer. After having a child in 2010 and twins in 2012, she wanted a break from study. When her twins […]

OU study ‘the catalyst for everything I’ve achieved in raising awareness of dementia’

15 May 2018

OU graduate Gina Awad was described as average by her school teachers, something which has haunted her over the years. But her complete dedication to raising awareness of dementia within her home community of Exeter has seen her receive a string of commendations for ‘outstanding work’. She’s not so average now… Gina created the Exeter Dementia Action Alliance […]

Sarah says OU study made her a better person and a better nurse

10 May 2018

After all the challenges along the road to becoming a nurse, Sarah Burgess says she would “do it all again in a heartbeat”. Recently qualified with a BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing, Sarah pays tribute to the support and encouragement of her tutors that kept going to the end. As someone who left school with a […]

Liz forgot her fear of needles to pursue her nursing dream

9 May 2018

Liz Westwood was inspired to become a nurse because of two important influences – her late mother and her work colleagues. For the last eight years, she has worked as a Healthcare Assistant in a community specialist palliative care team (improving the quality of life for those patients nearing the end of life). Now she […]

People person Stefan swapped a life in the skies for saving lives

8 May 2018

As a self-professed “people person”, Stefan Franks feels at home pursuing a career in adult nursing. Having left school with GCSEs and BTECs in travel, Stefan began his career in the travel industry taking off for a five-year career with a major airline. Now he is working as a healthcare assistant at a surgery in […]

47 countries, hip-hop and an Open University Honours degree: Shanel’s story

17 April 2018

Working with artists in New York as a music writer and producer of everything from hip-hop to classical, Shanel Cuthbert travelled to 47 countries during the last year of her Open University degree. Studying biological psychology was a sharp contrast to her busy life in the studio, and she’s now completing her Masters in Mental […]

From cleaner to environment manager, Faye says her degree is “so worth it”

13 April 2018

Faye Tester went from being a cleaner at a gas distribution firm, SGN, and an extra on TV, to supporting the management of the company’s environmental compliance and procedures. She completely changed her life and says that, if it wasn’t for her Environmental Management and Technology degree with The Open University, she would never have […]

Discovering psychology led Andrew to a new career

2 April 2018

Growing up in North London, Andrew, 49, didn’t enjoy the academic side of school and left at 16 with 11 O-Levels. After a spell in retail and a long career in IT, he made a dramatic change to his working life. After a family bereavement opened up the world of psychology to him, he decided […]

OU News

Category: Student stories