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Category: Student stories

“OU study opens so many doors – just go for it,” says proud graduate Destanhy

“OU study opens so many doors – just go for it,” says proud graduate Destanhy

When Destanhy, 23, fell pregnant during sixth form, her university plans were turned upside down. Determined to forge ahead with higher education, Destanhy embarked on her first Social Sciences module with The Open University (OU) when her baby was only a few weeks old. Destanhy shares how OU study sparked a love for psychology and […]

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Young girl with long dark hair wearing an OU jumper

‘Realising my dreams of becoming a teacher wouldn’t be possible without the OU’

Eilidh, 21, from Fife, who was born with Cerebral Palsy is non-verbal and uses a device to communicate. Even with additional challenges, Eilidh has embraced a love of languages through her BA (Honours) in Language Studies degree with The Open University (OU). After learning German and French, she’s now on her way to mastering Spanish, […]

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Gregg and rowing partner Lauren wearing Team GB kit, smiling at the camera with Paralympic Gold medals around their necks.

‘The OU empowered me to learn my way,’ says Paralympic Gold medallist Gregg Stevenson

On the back of his incredible gold medal race with rowing partner Lauren Rowles, Sports, Fitness and Coaching graduate Gregg Stevenson took time out of his celebrations to share his inspirational story with The Open University community. After a traumatic incident when serving as a Royal Engineer Commando, Gregg struggled to come to terms with […]

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A profile shot of Thomas sitting in front of a window, dressed in a white shirt facing the camera.

‘OU study unlocked career opportunities I never imagined were possible’

When Law student Thomas, 38, left the British Army, he had no idea what his future would look like. Now in the final year of his Open University (OU) degree, Thomas has secured a prestigious training contract with  world leading law firm, Freshfields LLP, providing a dream start to his career in law. Thomas shares […]

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Kyle looking aside from the camera, smiling with floral wallpaper behind him.

‘My confidence is the best it’s ever been, thanks to the OU’

Hampered by low confidence, Kyle, 36, rejected the place he was offered at a campus university, despite his lifelong dream of achieving a degree. Now studying Arts and Humanities at The Open University (OU), Kyle shares how a promise to his late nan gave him the strength to fulfil his potential and unleash an insatiable […]

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A young women with long blonde hair and a flower crown, smiles at the camera.

‘Every person I have met online has been so friendly, helpful and inspiring’

At 19 years old, Izzy wanted to achieve a degree but knew ‘going away’ to university wasn’t right for her. She shares how studying flexibly from home with The Open University (OU) fit her lifestyle and career goals. Izzy, now 21, said, “I was lost on what to do, knowing I didn’t want to attend […]

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Darren Harris wearing Paralympic kit, sunglasses, facing the camera and holding a gold cap to show 100 caps for the England blind football team.

‘OU study taught me a lot about myself,’ says dual Paralympian Darren Harris

As excitement builds for the Paris Paralympic Games, we caught up with Darren who, whilst competing in two separate Paralympic disciplines, completed a Psychology Conversion Course with The Open University (OU). Darren reflects how the flexibility of OU study made it possible to juggle the demands of training with an intensive postgraduate programme, in a […]

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A young woman wearing walking boots and a hat in front of mountains.

‘Carve your own path’, says graduate who started OU degree aged 15

Eileanoir from Ireland began studying with The Open University (OU) at just 15 years old. What started as a way to challenge herself whilst still at school, became her route into a role with a multinational start-up and a life of exploring the world. “I loved languages at school,” said Eileanoir, “but I didn’t feel […]

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Photo of a young woman with long dark hair, standing in front of a sea view.

‘Take that leap of faith and build your own future’

After years of torment from bullies, Shayda was forced to leave school before finishing her A Levels. With dreams of becoming a barrister, The Open University’s (OU) open entry policy allowed her to reclaim her education and take control of her future. Now, at 23, Shayda from Folkestone has just finished her first year of […]

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Princess on the set of the OU's game show Smartest in their Space, looking and smiling at the camera.

‘OU study is making a difference to my business already’

Surrounded by a family of academics, freelance artist and Open University (OU) student Princess, 26, was determined to revisit higher education having struggled to find the right study path after she left school. As the first year of her Design and Innovation degree draws to a close, Princess shares how OU study has “broadened her […]

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