The Open University

OU Wales offers an alternative route into teaching with its new PGCE

23 December 2019

The Open University in Wales has had its Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) courses fully accredited by the Education and Workforce Council. With the secondary Science PGCE expected to launch in April 2020 and the larger programme of primary and secondary options confirmed for October 2020, the OU’s courses will provide a part-time alternative route […]

‘Tis the Season for studying – the free OpenLearn courses to keep your mind active this festive break

23 December 2019

It’s been a big year for The Open University’s free learning platform, OpenLearn. With over 8.9m visitors to the site in the past 12 months, more people than ever are using its wealth of free courses, interactives, videos and articles to expand their knowledge. To coincide with the OU’s 50th anniversary, OpenLearn launched its 50th […]

What conspiracy theories have in common with fiction – and why it makes them compelling stories

19 December 2019

In an era dominated by “fake news” and disinformation, conspiracy theories are coming to play an increasingly influential role in modern politics. During the recent impeachment hearings in the US, for example, former National Security Council official Fiona Hill warned that “fictional narratives” pushed by Russia were undermining American security. But what’s the difference exactly […]

Why Christmas ghost stories have such enduring appeal

18 December 2019

Sally O’Reilly, Lecturer in Creative Writing at The Open University writes for The Conversation about the popularity of ghost stories at Christmas. Our fascination with ghostly tales around Christmas time goes back thousands of years and is rooted in ancient celebrations of the winter solstice. In the depths of winter, pagan traditions included a belief […]

“I’m not sure where I’d have been without the OU”

17 December 2019

As an unmarried single mother in the 1970s, Elizabeth Tye found it difficult to make her dreams of university come true. After two attempts of studying at a conventional brick university, in 1972, 23-year-old Elizabeth enrolled with the OU, becoming one of our early pioneer students. It was an opportunity which she says has ‘opened […]

Expert reaction to Boris Johnson’s General Election victory

13 December 2019

Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party has won a large majority in the 2019 general election. Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has confirmed that he will not lead his party in any future elections but will stay on during a period of reflection about what happened in this campaign. Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson has lost […]

Professor Monica Grady named as Liverpool Hope University’s new Chancellor

11 December 2019

Leading space expert Professor Monica Grady is to become Liverpool Hope University’s new Chancellor. Monica Grady is Professor of Planetary and Space Science at The Open University and is known for her work on meteorites. She was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa by Liverpool Hope during the Summer 2019 Graduation celebrations. As […]

“I’ve just graduated at 40 and feel that the world has become more open to me”

11 December 2019

Twenty-two years ago, Rebecca Bungay, 40, started her journey to higher education like most students, but found the road well-travelled was not for her and left university after only six weeks. Years later, determined to achieve her lifelong goal, Rebecca embarked on a degree course with the OU. Last month, Rebecca received her degree in […]

nQuire needs you for its next mission tracking starling murmuration

10 December 2019

Citizen science platform, nQuire, which has been developed by The Open University has announced its next mission. Created by Dr Andy Morris, Staff Tutor and Senior Lecturer in Geography at the OU, ‘Starling Murmuration’ explores one of winter’s greatest spectacles, by asking the public to help document sightings. When a large flock of birds, most […]

‘I’m married with a 12-year-old daughter, but the OU has enabled me to be flexible’

5 December 2019

With a degree and a MBA from The Open University, James explains how he fit studying into his busy life, which subsequently transformed his career. When I was at school, I suffered from myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), which at the time was a misunderstood illness. Its effects are similar to glandular fever, but longer lasting, and […]

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