The Open University

OU research student Lois in the lab at Milton Keynes

Meet the OU researcher using sunlight to create clean water

2 February 2023

When Lois Damptey left her home in Ghana to study for a PhD with The Open University, she had one clear goal: for her research to help save lives. Now in the final year of her doctorate, Lois, 30, is exploring how solar energy can be used to create a low-cost water filtration system. The […]

Start your degree in 2023

26 December 2022

If you want to change direction in 2023 but never thought of education before, an Open University degree could be just what you are looking for. A university degree can be lifechanging, ask our students. The Open University currently has 205,000, including 9,000 across the globe, and many who have achieved against the odds. Earlier […]

OU degree is ‘on pointe’ for Scottish Ballet star

21 December 2022

An acclaimed Scottish Ballet dancer shares how she achieved her first-class Open University degree alongside a full-time career as a professional ballerina. Constance Devernay-Laurence is used to wowing audiences as a Principal dancer in Scottish Ballet. She’s now added another achievement to her bright career by completing a degree in Sport, Fitness and Coaching. “It’s […]

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 News

Category: Student stories