The Open University

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 […]

New year, new me? OpenLearn courses to try out in 2024

31 December 2023

A new year is a great time to try something different. We’ve pulled together some of the best collections and courses from OpenLearn for keeping your mind and body fresh in 2024. Don’t give up, take up! Although you may have made a resolution to give something up this year, why not try taking something […]

Top ten most popular free courses to indulge in on OpenLearn

26 December 2023

Since its launch in 2006 The Open University’s free learning resource website OpenLearn has received more than 112 million visits with many people going on to complete several of the hundreds of free courses available. Each year we collate which are the most popular – some are just a few hours long while others – […]

A successful year for OpenLearn

7 November 2023

It has been a successful year for The Open University’s free learning platform, OpenLearn, which has seen a significant rise in the number of people enrolling onto its courses. 890,000 people enrolled on an open learn course in the year 2022/23 compared to 794,000 the previous year (21/22). The platform, which offers more than 900 […]

The Open University partners with Glastonbury Town Deal to offer free skills and training

7 September 2023

The Open University (OU) has partnered with Glastonbury town to offer a wide range of free skills and training. Funded by the Glastonbury Town Deal, this unique opportunity gives residents of Glastonbury who want to upskill, retrain, or learn new skills, the chance to study for free with the UK’s largest distance learning provider. In […]

OU launches two free courses to improve the care of older people with learning disabilities

19 July 2023

The Open University has launched two free courses aimed at supporting professionals and families who care for older people with learning disabilities. Supporting older people with learning disabilities and their families and Caring for an older family member with learning disabilities have been developed using inclusive research overseen by Louise Wallace, Professor of Psychology and […]

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Dr Patrina Law: A quick guide to designing and delivering effective bite-sized learning

11 July 2023

Bite-sized learning can allow for a more targeted and specific learning experience, presenting information in small, focused portions whereby learners can better absorb and process concepts without feeling overwhelmed. Here, Dr Patrina Law, head of OpenLearn at the OU, explores the best way to find out the best ways to deliver bite-size learning: Identify key […]

OpenLearn awards its 250,000th digital badge

9 May 2023

OpenLearn, the Open University’s free learning platform awarded its 250,000th free ‘digital badge’ to learners this week, a recognition of professional development and commitment to studies. The badges, launched in 2015, are one of a kind – the first Open Educational Resource (OERs) with digital recognition. There are now 80 free badged courses on OpenLearn, […]

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