The Open University

OU Disabled Veterans' Scholarship recipient Steven shares how studying has turned his life around

‘My scholarship was life-changing and life-saving’

29 November 2022

A military veteran who was badly injured during a rescue mission shares how education has helped him turn his life around. Steven Wilson, 46, from Dumfries, served as a Private in the 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment (1 Para) and put his life on the line rescuing hostages in a top-secret mission. It was during the […]

Veteran Martine shares how studying with the OU has given her a fresh start

‘Scholarships give veterans a fresh start’

29 November 2022

When Martine McNee from Glasgow joined the Army aged 21, she believed it would be a career for life. Sadly, after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Martine’s dreams were cut short. After feeling lost and struggling to adapt to civilian life, Martine, 50, has now found hope through The Open University Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships […]

‘The OU MBA paved the way for my career success’

21 November 2022

Tillmann Henssler from Germany says The Open University has created so many opportunities in his award-winning career at pharmaceuticals giant Pfizer. “The MBA at the OU was one the best things I have done in my life,” says Tillmann, now 55 and living in Berlin. “I started studying while working as a junior manager. After […]

OU student Karen is studying to grow her health coaching business

‘I turned my blogging hobby into a business’ says OU student entrepreneur

14 November 2022

When Karen Oliver, 31, lost her job due to illness, she turned her health blog into a coaching business to support those struggling with eating disorders. She’s now studying Psychology part-time with The Open University and says the support she’s received as a busy entrepreneur and single parent is taking her business to the next […]

Could you be an entrepreneur in 2023?

11 November 2022

Open University students have turned their hobbies into successful businesses with the support of the OU – and so could you. If you already have a side hustle or a great business idea, 2023 could be the year you turn it into a reality. And the OU has resources and support on hand to help […]

‘An OU degree gives you the opportunity to work around the world’

1 November 2022

When choosing her next step after college, Talia from South Africa says The Open University was the perfect fit. Now a proud graduate, 22-year-old Talia is using the skills she developed through her BSc (Honours) Open degree to get ahead in her consultancy career. “I look at where I am in my life at 22 […]

‘My OU MBA has given me a voice’ says charity CEO

27 October 2022

Maria, 54, is the CEO of sustainable clothing charity TRAID and credits her Open University MBA qualification with helping her boost her career even further. She’s now focused on using her skills to encourage the next generation of CEOs to champion environmental issues. Maria shares her story so far: “I went to a comprehensive school […]

OU student and Environmental Science student Nicolle

‘My degree will help me change the world for the better’

20 October 2022

With a desire to change the world, Nicolle, 32, believes that her Environmental Science degree with The Open University will help her do just that. Nicolle discovered her passion for sustainability and environmental issues through her role at electricity and gas utility company National Grid, where she has worked for over 10 years. She says, […]

From Army veteran to space scientist

3 October 2022

When Open University graduate Ian Muirhead isn’t searching for moons and exoplanets, he’s inspiring the next generation of space scientists to reach for the stars. It’s a career he never dreamed possible when he left school at 15 without any qualifications. Over 20 years’ on and Ian tells us he couldn’t be happier making the […]

“We wanted to find an easy way for other OU students to make friends with each other”

2 October 2022

The October Study Challenge The October Study Challenge is the brainchild of three OU students who wanted to help connect new and existing students via a series of fun challenges on Instagram – and this year it’s set to be bigger and better. In 2021, The Open University collaborated with three OU students, Sam, Annette, and […]

OU News

Category: Student stories