The Open University

Following in his mother’s footsteps

21 April 2019

For Marva and Adrian Rollins, a passion for education and helping others is something which runs in the family. Marva, who recently received an OBE from the Queen in recognition of Services to Education, has spent over twenty years as a Headteacher and continues to be an active and inspiring member of her community. Despite […]

Studying while serving overseas

19 April 2019

Felix Asare-Donkoh, 30, joined the armed forces soon after completing his A-levels in Cardiff, but realised he was still keen to continue his education. Usually, this would mean leaving the army to study full-time, but by choosing to study with The Open University in Wales, Felix was able to study for his Bachelors in Engineering […]

Zahra Alidina at the Royal Courts of Justice

“The OU gave me a head start” says UK’s youngest Law graduate

18 April 2019

Zahra Alidina knew from a young age that she wanted to be a barrister and wasted no time in pursuing her dream. After sitting her GCSEs at 13 years old and A-levels at 14, she started her Law degree with The Open University at just 15 after gaining special dispensation. “I couldn’t imagine myself doing […]

Evelyn Lipmann: In her own words

25 January 2019

Evelyn Lipmann survived the Holocaust. She survived internment in four concentration camps; many of her family did not. As a pioneer student of The Open University, she’s asked us to share her story so that future generations can learn from the atrocities that took place. Since publishing her story in August 2018, we have now […]

Finishing what her Dad started – Linda’s story

4 January 2019

As Linda Smith crossed the stage at the Barbican degree ceremony, her feeling of pride was not just for her own achievement, but for her Dad as well, who had sadly died in 2010. John Carter was one of The Open University’s pioneer students, taking up study back in 1971 at the age of 47 […]

A PhD isn’t possible with three children, is it? Diane would argue otherwise

1 June 2018

Originally from the Isles of Scilly, in 2009, Diane Coral Turner, 42, enrolled on her part-time PhD with The Open University, collaborating with Amersham Hospital and Medical Detection Dogs to develop techniques for diagnosing bladder cancer. After having a child in 2010 and twins in 2012, she wanted a break from study. When her twins […]

47 countries, hip-hop and an Open University Honours degree: Shanel’s story

17 April 2018

Working with artists in New York as a music writer and producer of everything from hip-hop to classical, Shanel Cuthbert travelled to 47 countries during the last year of her Open University degree. Studying biological psychology was a sharp contrast to her busy life in the studio, and she’s now completing her Masters in Mental […]

From cleaner to environment manager, Faye says her degree is “so worth it”

13 April 2018

Faye Tester went from being a cleaner at a gas distribution firm, SGN, and an extra on TV, to supporting the management of the company’s environmental compliance and procedures. She completely changed her life and says that, if it wasn’t for her Environmental Management and Technology degree with The Open University, she would never have […]

Discovering psychology led Andrew to a new career

2 April 2018

Growing up in North London, Andrew, 49, didn’t enjoy the academic side of school and left at 16 with 11 O-Levels. After a spell in retail and a long career in IT, he made a dramatic change to his working life. After a family bereavement opened up the world of psychology to him, he decided […]

Anne overcomes adversity to reach her graduation goal

29 March 2018

Anne is 69 and has wanted to achieve her degree her entire adult life. Having left school at 15 and started her career as a telephonist and receptionist, she married and gave birth to her daughter, Sandra. After her husband sadly passed in 1984, she battled with bladder cancer and severe arthritis. Recovering after years […]

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