The Open University

Learning online? Advice from Open University students (the experts!)

20 March 2020

As UK universities ‘pivot online’ and students transition to a new way of learning, The Open University community – as experts in this field – have some valuable advice to share. Online and distance learning is second nature to OU students, but this won’t be the case for many students and their universities impacted by […]

New to the OU? Here’s 8 tips to set you up for study

10 October 2018

As new students open their Open University books and start learning with us, we asked our Instagram community to share their advice for anyone beginning with the OU. They’ve given us some top tips to help you get off on the right foot: 1. Don’t Doubt Yourself It can feel overwhelming when you start getting […]

Higher Education Minister praises the OU’s 50-year contribution to society

3 July 2018

The Higher Education Minister, Sam Gyimah – responsible for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation in England – joined an online session with eight students from his office in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Led by Associate Lecturer and Senior Manager (ALSPD) at The Open University, Dr Anne Campbell, the students spoke of […]

OU pays tribute to the life of Mary Wilson

1 July 2018

Following the sad death of Baroness Wilson of Rievaulx, who passed in June, The Open University (OU) pays tribute to her life and acknowledges her role in society with her late husband, the former Labour Prime Minister, Harold Wilson. Baroness Wilson of Rievaulx was aged 102 when she passed away and was the oldest living […]

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 […]

How learning analytics can provide students (and teachers) what they want

2 February 2018

The words ‘analytics’ and ‘data’ might seem alien or even intimidating to most of us – unless you are a number-cruncher or a market analyst, why would they be of any use, right? However, Professor of Learning Analytics at The Open University, Bart Rienties, has spent much of his career researching how data can improve […]

Take a first step into distance learning: free online course with BBC Learning English

9 October 2017

Want to be a distance learner? Don’t know where to start? The OU has teamed up with BBC Learning English to provide a free 10-week online course to teach you how to become a pro. Go the Distance includes animations, explainers, support from academics on writing techniques and interviews with students about their experiences of distance […]

Share your story in support of lifelong learning

20 June 2017

The Open University is calling on members of its community to demonstrate the value of flexible distance learning (lifelong learning) and the role it can play to help the country meet future economic challenges. Flexible learning enables people to reskill and upskill, whatever their background or personal circumstances, and this will continue to prove essential […]

Backing from UK Government for part-time study welcomed by OU

24 February 2017

The Open University has welcomed moves by the UK Government to ensure that the importance of part-time study and distance learning are fully recognised in the biggest shake-up for decades in higher education in England. Peter Horrocks, Vice-chancellor of The Open University, welcomed proposals that would require the new regulator, the Office for Students (OfS), to include explicitly options for part-time and distance learning when […]

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