The Open University

Two men dressed in coats and hats, one holding a camera

‘OU study has changed me,’ says globe-trotting adventurer

20 June 2023

Presenter and content creator, Gwilym, 38, travels the world to share his experience of climate change and its impact on the environment and nature. After wanting to better understand the sights that he was seeing, Gwilym chose to study a BSc (Honours) Environmental Science with The Open University (OU). As he nears the end of […]

‘A health scare pushed me to pursue my dreams’

20 June 2023

After a life-threatening illness, Lisa, 43, took the leap and enrolled to study a BA (Honours) Early Childhood with The Open University (OU). Since then, she’s never looked back and says her degree has helped her to land three promotions at work. Mum of two, Lisa was working term-time in a nursery when in the […]

Award success for entrepreneurial graduate

7 June 2023

Open University graduate and tech entrepreneur James Markey has won a prize at the Santander X Global Awards, Santander’s prestigious international university entrepreneurship competition with his company UNI SIM. The Santander X Global Awards brings together the best start-ups across Europe and South America to compete to win funding and support to help develop their businesses. […]

Young women speaking to children about football

‘The conversation around women in sports is changing – long may that continue’

11 May 2023

As excitement builds for the Women’s FA Cup Final this weekend, we caught up with OU graduate and football fanatic Allana, whose community foundation is inspiring the next generation of female footballers to reach their potential. Allana’s career has gone from strength to strength since completing the OU’s Sport, Fitness and Coaching degree. With a […]

‘The OU has changed my life,’ says entrepreneur of haptics company

9 May 2023

Entrepreneur, James, 31, has used the knowledge gained from his Open University (OU) qualifications to launch an international business that creates affordable haptic and virtual reality (VR) simulators, which are revolutionising medical education. Focused from a young age James chose to work full-time after completing his A Levels so that he could leave university without […]

‘Life gets in the way sometimes, but I’m so glad I didn’t give up’

2 May 2023

With a young family and elderly parents, Miriam, 56, faced some challenges during her studies, but the flexible approach of The Open University (OU) meant that she could step away from her degree and return when ready. Miriam from County Louth in Ireland recently celebrated completing her BSc Open Degree and praises the OU for […]

Open University programme offers Black students chance for free study

28 April 2023

The Open University is offering 50 UK-based Black students on lower incomes the chance to study a degree for free. The Black Students Support Fund is part of a life-changing package of scholarships and bursaries worth more than £3 million offered by the University to address inequity in access and success in education. Those who […]

‘My degree has given me insight and knowledge to run my business’

26 April 2023

Busy mum and entrepreneur, Elly, 28, shares how studying for an Open University degree has helped her to launch and run a business selling body positive artwork. Inspired to do more Elly chose the OU so she could boost her skills and become an equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) specialist. Part way through an MA […]

Super-student mother notches up three degrees in six years while working

18 April 2023

When a mother-of-two climbed the stage at London’s The Barbican in celebration of passing her Open University degree the audience was left agog when they discovered she was there for not one degree but three. In fact, Diana de Vega de Ceniga, 50, from Surrey, doesn’t have just three degrees, but a total of FIVE! […]

Image of white male with coastal background

‘From a plane to a café in Paris, I can study anywhere with the OU’

18 April 2023

With the flexibility of The Open University (OU), Colm, 32, has been able to study whilst travelling the world. Originally from Ireland, Colm has spent the last eight years working towards a Bachelor of Engineering, alongside his adventurous life living in Budapest and Madrid. Earning and learning Colm was attracted to OU study, as he […]

OU News

Category: Student stories