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Category: Student stories

Image of pioneer student, Michael

50 years on – Michael looks back on the OU’s “awe-inspiring” first graduation ceremony

In 1973, Michael Shaw and fellow pioneer students made history by crossing the stage at The Open University’s first graduation ceremony at Alexandra Palace. Fifty years since graduating, retired head teacher Michael shares how at 82 with an esteemed teaching career behind him, collecting his OU degree scroll is still one of his proudest moments. […]

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young woman standing in front of graffiti wall.

‘I’ve made life-long friends through the OU’

After recently moving to the UK, Khudayja, 25, hadn’t expected that her BA (Honours) English Literature and Creative Writing degree at The Open University (OU) would introduce her to life-long friends and a huge community of fellow book lovers. “I moved to the UK from Pakistan with my family four years ago. My family are […]

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

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

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 […]

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‘A health scare pushed me to pursue my dreams’

‘A health scare pushed me to pursue my dreams’

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 […]

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Award success for entrepreneurial graduate

Award success for entrepreneurial graduate

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. […]

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Young women speaking to children about football

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

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 […]

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Man using virtual reality equipment

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

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 […]

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Miriam Stephenson

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

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 […]

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Open University programme offers Black students chance for free study

Open University programme offers Black students chance for free study

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 […]

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Elly Holmes

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

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 […]

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