The Open University

Five top tips for managing your personal finances during coronavirus

30 July 2020

Jonquil Lowe, Senior Lecturer in Economics and Personal Finance at The Open University, offers advice on how to manage your money through the coronavirus pandemic. When it comes to money, coronavirus has split the nation. Financial stress dominates for many of the 9.5 million employees on furlough, potentially facing unemployment as the scheme unwinds, and […]

OU launches bursaries for 50 new BAME students

29 July 2020

The Open University is offering ‘Open Futures Bursaries’ to support new OU students who identify as being from a Black, Asian, or other minority ethnic (BAME) background. Fifty bursaries of £1,000 are available to eligible new students for the academic year 2020/21, to be used towards study costs or other living expenses. Applications are open […]

Final chance to apply for the Carers Scholarships Fund

29 July 2020

With applications for The Open University’s Carers Scholarships Fund due to close on Friday, don’t miss your chance to apply for the scheme before it’s too late. Now with the option to defer your studies until September 2021, there are 50 full scholarships available, with 15 reserved for young carers between 18–25. Whether for personal […]

Report charts mental health and wellbeing of emergency responders

24 July 2020

The mental health of emergency responders (ER) could be improved by better integration of wellbeing support into organisations, sharing of “best practice”, a single gateway to help navigate support services, and greater consideration of families’ needs, according to a new report by The Open University and King’s College London researchers. The work was funded by […]

I’ve been talking to conspiracy theorists for 20 years – here are my six rules of engagement

22 July 2020

Jovan Byford, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at The Open University discusses the rules he uses for talking about conspiracy theories. With prospects of a COVID-19 vaccine looking up, attention is also turning to the problem of anti-vax ideas. According to a recent survey, one in six Britons would refuse a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes […]

New OU apprenticeships to train Leeds nurses of the future

15 July 2020

The Open University has joined forces with Leeds Beckett University and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to create a new gateway to a career in nursing. As part of the Trust’s Future You career development programme, a new apprenticeship route has been launched, providing both experienced and aspiring healthcare workers with the practical skills and […]

OU joins with organisations from across publishing, books and education to raise awareness of shared reading

14 July 2020

The Open University’s Reading for Pleasure programme has collaborated with 17 other organisations, including The Reading Agency and Department for Education on a Reading Together Day to raise awareness of the importance of shared reading. On 16 July, families, schools and wider communities across the UK will be invited to take part in a host […]

Report warns against “putting clock back” on tackling youth violence

13 July 2020

The final report of the cross-party Youth Violence Commission (YVC), supported by researchers from The Open University and the University of Warwick is launched today (Monday 13 July) calling for specific action to tackle the rising social and financial costs of youth violence. In light of COVID-19, the Commission is deeply concerned about the potential […]

OU partners in innovative new blended nursing degree

9 July 2020

From February 2021 the Open University (OU) will be delivering a new blended nursing programme in the London and the South/South West region in partnership with Middlesex University, London and University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE) (Subject to NMC Approval). It is anticipated that the application process for this new, innovative and exciting degree […]

Summer statement: Rishi Sunak goes all out for jobs, leaving public finances for another day

9 July 2020

Alan Shipman, Lecturer in Economics at The Open University, discusses the Government’s summer statement in Parliament and what it means for employment and the economy in the UK. Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s summer statement on July 8 was intended to show how the government can quickly end its emergency bankrolling of the economy, and let a […]

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