The Open University

The CONNECT Initiative: empowering the next generation for global digital co-operation through sci-tech diplomacy

15 July 2025

The CONNECT initiative, led by The Open University and discussed during UNESCO’s Science Diplomacy Dialogue and Global Education events, is being recognised as a flagship example of capacity-building in scientific and technological diplomacy. CONNECT is a project aiming to support secondary schools to adopt open schooling, integrating science-action in the core-curriculum and using participatory-science with […]

Free course aims to raise the profile of women composers in classical music

18 June 2025

A new free course from The Open University’s OpenLearn site has been launched aimed at helping performers in the classical music industry to diversify their repertoire to include more works by women composers. The short course called “Women transforming classical music” spans just six hours, and is aimed at ensembles, individuals and organisations within the […]

Empowering dyslexic learners for a brighter future all round

6 June 2025

Unleashing the power of dyslexic pupils is behind new evidence-based training hosted by OpenLearn Create in partnership with global charity Made By Dyslexia. A free one-hour training package is aimed at teaching staff and parents, and covers topics from advice and hints to top tips for supporting dyslexic learning to help pupils shine. OpenLearn Create […]

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The OU and workplace training charity collaborate on 5% Club Academy launch

16 April 2025

The Open University (OU) and partner The 5% Club, are working together on a new career development initiative, tailored specifically for HR professionals and those focussed on emerging talent. The 5% Club is a free-to-join skills charity and employer movement whose purpose is to “inspire positive employer action for increased, inclusive and accessible workplace learning […]

OU celebrates neurodiversity week

18 March 2025

To mark neurodiversity week, 17th -23rd March, The Open University has created a hub of resources on its free online learning platform, OpenLearn, designed to educate and inspire neurodivergent learners, allies, educators, and employers. The OU has a long history of teaching neurodivergent learners, such as those with ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, autism, dyspraxia, Tourette’s syndrome, […]

The Open University produces an award-winning film that challenges perceptions of youth violence

5 February 2025

The Open University has developed an award-winning film and a thought-provoking interactive quiz that challenges perceptions about knife crime and youth violence. Available on OpenLearn, which is the OU’s free learning platform, ‘Exploring Youth Violence: What would you do?’ aims to provide a better understanding of the complex lives and situations of young people who […]

Expand the mind this New Year with free learning from OpenLearn

6 January 2025

Those looking for a New Year’s resolution to expand the mind and create a fresh challenge can dive into OpenLearn – The Open University’s free educational platform – which has the answer. Whatever the interest, OpenLearn is likely to have a short free course on the subject and they’re not all the traditional academic subjects […]

We did it again! OpenLearn celebrates milestone in access to free learning

31 October 2024

We’ve hit a million again! That’s the amount of free course enrolments The Open University’s OpenLearn platform has clocked up over the past 12 months. Additionally, the number of people actually registered with OpenLearn has reached an outstanding four million and that includes almost half a million new accounts. But that’s not the only achievement. […]

New OU/BBC Radio Series Inside Health

15 October 2024

A brand-new OU/BBC radio series Inside Health starts on Tuesday 15th October at 09:30 on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. The six-part series will give listeners a better understanding of various health issues, distinguishing fact from fiction and bringing clarity to conflicting health advice. The Open University academic consultants on the series, Senior Lecturer […]

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OpenLearn teams up with Barclays Eagle Labs to support entrepreneurs

2 October 2024

The Open University (OU) is collaborating with Barclays Eagle Labs to promote the Eagle Labs Academy that will equip budding and established entrepreneurs with the tools and knowledge to grow their business. This collaboration brings together the OU’s world-renowned educational resources with the innovation and entrepreneurship support provided by Barclays Eagle Labs. The new collaboration […]

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