The Open University

How a ‘weather bomb’ shook the Earth – and why that’s not an earthquake

26 August 2016

The Earth beneath your feet is “humming” all the time. Typically these vibrations are too faint and low-frequency for your ears to hear. But they can be detected by seismometers, the instruments designed to study the generally more powerful vibrations that emanate from earthquakes. Now researchers have used an array of seismometers in Japan to […]

Artist's impression of the planet orbiting Proxima Centauri

OU astronomer helps to discover an Earth-like planet

25 August 2016

An international team of astronomers has detected a planet orbiting our nearest star, Proxima Centauri. The research, which has been published in Nature to a global audience, suggests the planet is at just the right distance from Proxima Centauri for liquid water to exist on its surface and has the potential to support life. Only […]

Illustration of training swimmers in a swimming pool

‘Super-human’ athletes are at risk from the post-Olympic blues – here’s why

23 August 2016

As nations all over the world welcome their Olympic athletes home, many of us will take a moment to reflect on the whirlwind of psychological pressure, physical strain, elation and disappointment, which they have just experienced. But whether they’re revelling in the glory of hard-won medals, or recovering from heartbreaking defeats, Olympic athletes won’t have […]

OU expands Cisco computing courses on OpenLearn

18 August 2016

Updating your smartphone is one thing, but getting to grips with how the Internet of Everything will change lives across the globe, is no longer something only computer programmers can worry about. With more data, people and processes coming online, the Internet of Everything (IoE) – the online, networked connection of devices and processes – […]

Open University and KPMG to provide degree apprenticeships programme

18 August 2016

Following the Government’s plan to introduce the Apprenticeship Levy in England, from April 2017, The Open University and KPMG have announced a partnership to enable employers to identify and fulfil future training needs. The partnership has been designed to offer employers a high quality, scalable and accessible service and includes three initial higher level apprenticeships […]

Clearing 2016: OU’s firm university offer, open to everyone

17 August 2016

Across the UK young people are receiving their A-Level results, entering the clearing process and deciding what to do next. Some will take the decision to leave home and head to university. Others will be looking for alternatives to traditional university, and here’s where The Open University can help. With a strong mission that higher […]

Why are Olympic athletes copping so much abuse? It all comes down to gender

16 August 2016

Every four years, the Olympic and Paralympic Games burst on to our screens, showcasing a rich variety of sports, athletes and cultures. For those not lucky enough to be in Rio this year, social media has made it possible to to share jokes, news, triumphs and disappointments with other viewers from around the world. But […]

OU Business School pioneers Europe’s first MOOCs for academic credit

11 August 2016

The OU Business School is the first business school in Europe to offer credits for its courses through MOOCs on the FutureLearn platform. Starting from 15 August, learners could earn 30 credits towards a BA Business Studies or 15 credits towards an MBA. A route to formal qualifications The suite of eight undergraduate courses (Business […]

Banking ‘shake-up’ relies too much on customers shopping around

10 August 2016

A report that was billed to transform the UK’s retail banking industry has been criticised for not doing enough to protect customers. The Competition and Markets Authority report was two years in the making and is geared towards improving competition and the products on offer for individuals and small businesses. But the government watchdog puts […]

Students continue to rate The Open University highly

10 August 2016

OU top for assessment and feedback in National Student Survey The results of the National Student Survey (NSS) have been published today by HEFCE, with students continuing to rate The Open University (OU) highly. The OU achieved an overall satisfaction rating of 89%, putting it in joint 28th place out of UK Universities. Although the […]

OU News