The Open University

Student Katelyn Owens shares her 'life-changing' OU journey

“The OU saved my life. Now the sky’s the limit!”

1 August 2022

“Everybody takes a different path in life. You just have to find what’s right for you.” That’s the advice from 23-year-old Katelyn Owens who, after transferring to numerous universities and battling a substance use disorder has regained confidence and taken back control over her life. BA (Hons) Criminology & Sociology student Katelyn, now living in […]

The OU to grow its curriculum through acquisition of the Open College of the Arts (OCA)

25 July 2022

Following positive discussions with the University for the Creative Arts (UCA), the Open University (OU) is pleased to announce an agreement has been reached that will see the OU acquire the Open College of the Arts (OCA). The OU was set up in 1969 to bring life-changing learning that enriches society to millions who otherwise […]

‘I changed my life through the OU – now I’m running my own business’

11 July 2022

Business owner Rhiannon is proof that with determination and the right support, anything is possible. After falling pregnant at 16, Rhiannon left school with only a handful of GCSEs. Fast forward to today, and she’s not only turned her own life around but is helping others to do the same through her business. She puts […]

Inflation, recession fears and tax cuts: any new UK chancellor faces an unenviable in-tray

8 July 2022

Alan Shipman, Senior Lecturer in Economic at The Open University and Phil Tomlinson, Professor of Industrial Strategy at Bath University, talk about the range of ministerial resignations in Boris Johnson’s government and the unenviable job of the new chancellor. The flood of ministerial resignations from UK prime minister Boris Johnson’s government in recent days started […]

RAF image courtesy of Crown Copyright 2011

Finding a new purpose after the Forces

30 June 2022

Stuart Lawson had served in the Army for 19 years when a terrible accident turned his world upside down. It was while undergoing gruelling rehabilitation that Stuart set himself a new goal to work towards – becoming a History teacher. With the help of an Open University scholarship for disabled veterans, Stuart is now on […]

‘I’m unlocking a better future for me and my family’

13 June 2022

“It has been a lifelong dream to have a higher education degree,” says Ferny Suhandi, who is part-way through achieving her BSc (Hons) Social Psychology degree with The Open University. After believing higher education would never be accessible, Ferny, who now lives and studies in Cambodia, is determined to show the world what she can […]

‘I’m here to lift up my community so nobody feels alone’

6 June 2022

After experiencing homelessness and challenges growing up, Lea Gibson is determined to create real change in her community. She combined her life experiences with her Open University qualifications to launch a business that provides support and wellbeing services for those in need. “I want to make sure that people never feel alone and they have […]

Rishi Sunak’s £15 billion cost-of-living package and windfall tax: four experts respond

30 May 2022

Jonquil Lowe, The Open University; Adi Imsirovic, University of Surrey; Alan Shipman, The Open University, and Keith Baker, Glasgow Caledonian University Rishi Sunak, the UK chancellor of the exchequer, has unveiled a £15 billion package of measures to help households with the cost of living, after energy watchdog Ofgem announced it would probably be increasing […]

Woman's hand holding a piece of cloth with signatures written on it

New series of ‘Secrets of the Museum’ starts tonight on BBC Two

7 April 2022

A new series of Secrets of the Museum, co-produced by the BBC and The Open University airs tonight (7 April) on BBC Two at 8pm. In series three of the popular programme, viewers are treated to behind-the-scenes footage of London’s Victoria & Albert (V&A) museum’s vast collection. We meet the experts that work tirelessly to […]

Vivid and panoramic: series tells history of the British Isles through its art

5 April 2022

A rich feast of colour and imagery arrives on TV screens this month, showing the history of the British Isles as never seen before in a new OU/BBC series, The Art That Made Us. Lavish and comprehensive, the eight-part blockbuster, which starts on Thursday 7th April at 9pm on BBC2, spotlights art from all genres […]

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