The Open University

Acclaimed music journalist receives honorary doctorate from The Open University

8 November 2023

Former member of early Nineties pop band Saint Etienne and acclaimed music journalist Bob Stanley has been awarded an honorary doctorate by The Open University. The author and producer received the honour at the OU’s degree ceremony in Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall for his work enriching British cultural and artistic life for the past 30 years […]

The Open University spotlights three diversity and inclusion honorary graduates

18 October 2023

Three individuals who have devoted their lives to diversity and inclusion were given honorary doctorates by The Open University recently for their work. Since 1973 the OU has awarded more than 1,100 honorary degrees to people who have given back to their communities and beyond. This time it was the turn of Jennifer Dyer, Asif […]

Outstanding individuals receive honorary awards from the OU

27 April 2023

The Open University has issued accolades to a group of high-flying individuals who have made significant contributions in their field of expertise or the communities around them. It was at the OU’s London degree ceremony that four people climbed the Barbican Centre’s stage to receive their honorary awards. They included: Daniel Tammet, who is an […]

Honorary degree for David Harrison as first digital Harrison Centre opens

24 October 2022

The graduation ceremony took place at the Harrogate Convention Centre in Yorkshire where MBA alumnus David Harrison received his award. He was nominated for the ‘exceptional contribution’ he has made to highlighting the need to improve public understanding of personal finance – an area of work that is of special educational concern to the OU […]

Three exceptional individuals honoured at OU degree ceremony in London

30 September 2022

A disability rights campaigner, a champion of life-long learning, and a musician who is diversifying the world of classical music, all received honorary degrees from The Open University in ceremonies at the Barbican Centre. Over four thousand guests and 1,200 graduates gathered in the Grade II listed building in the City of London for four […]

Pioneer receives OU accolade for her work making like easier for menopausal women

26 May 2022

A pioneer who is blazing a trail to raise the profile of women experiencing menopause symptoms while at work has been awarded an honorary degree by The Open University. Deborah Garlick is the founder of the Henpicked website, an online community for women over 40 living with the menopause, and its sister organisation Menopause in […]

OU in Ireland Director John D'Arcy & Ronan Keating

Ronan Keating given honorary degree from The Open University for charity work

17 May 2022

Ronan Keating has received an honorary degree from The Open University in recognition of his philanthropic contributions to charities over the past 25 years, particularly to improve cancer care. The Dublin-born musician, songwriter and presenter of BBC One’s The One Show, stepped up to receive the accolade for his charitable work, which he began following […]

The many lives of Prue Leith

3 December 2019

To celebrate The Open University’s 50th Anniversary year, OU Honorary Graduate Prue Leith joined us for an ‘In conversation’ talk last week, led by fellow writer and Honorary Graduate Val McDermid. Speaking to the audience of OU students, alumni, partners and other members of the wider OU family, Prue described how her passion for new […]

Rt Hon Gordon Brown in his robes to receive an honorary graduation

Gordon Brown receives Honorary Doctorate from The Open University

20 September 2019

Former Prime Minister, Dr Gordon Brown, has been recognised for his services to global education by The Open University (OU) at a ceremony in London. He was presented with his honorary doctorate by OU’s Chancellor Baroness Lane-Fox. Gordon Brown was awarded the Doctor of the University for his exceptional contribution to widening access to educational […]

Mental health champion honoured by OU

3 June 2019

Cholena Mountain, mental health practitioner, educator, and expert in personality disorders has been awarded an Honorary Master of the University for work in areas of special educational concern, at the Ely Cathedral graduation ceremony. In recent years, the challenges faced by those with personality disorders have become more widely recognised, and there has been a […]

OU News