The Open University

“I’ve just graduated at 40 and feel that the world has become more open to me”

11 December 2019

Twenty-two years ago, Rebecca Bungay, 40, started her journey to higher education like most students, but found the road well-travelled was not for her and left university after only six weeks. Years later, determined to achieve her lifelong goal, Rebecca embarked on a degree course with the OU. Last month, Rebecca received her degree in […]

nQuire needs you for its next mission tracking starling murmuration

10 December 2019

Citizen science platform, nQuire, which has been developed by The Open University has announced its next mission. Created by Dr Andy Morris, Staff Tutor and Senior Lecturer in Geography at the OU, ‘Starling Murmuration’ explores one of winter’s greatest spectacles, by asking the public to help document sightings. When a large flock of birds, most […]

‘I’m married with a 12-year-old daughter, but the OU has enabled me to be flexible’

5 December 2019

With a degree and a MBA from The Open University, James explains how he fit studying into his busy life, which subsequently transformed his career. When I was at school, I suffered from myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), which at the time was a misunderstood illness. Its effects are similar to glandular fever, but longer lasting, and […]

International Day of People with Disabilities – access to apprenticeships

3 December 2019

On Tuesday 3 December, it’s International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPWD) – established by the United Nations to identify and address discrimination, exclusion and inaccessibility that many people living with a disability face. With more disabled students choosing to study with The Open University than any other UK university, championing accessibility for all is […]

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 […]

OU team gives go ahead to bring Mars’ moon pieces to Earth

2 December 2019

A UK team led by the Open University has given the green light for Mars’ moon material to be transported to Earth as part of a forthcoming mission. The team, led by the OU’s Dr Manish Patel, a renowned expert on Mars exploration, gave the thumbs up for a new Japanese mission to bring pieces […]

World AIDS Day 2019: treatment success, but austerity bites

29 November 2019

On Sunday (1 December), we mark World AIDS Day: an opportunity to come together to support people living with HIV and to commemorate those who have died. It’s also a time to take stock of how we are doing in the fight against AIDS. Dr Peter Keogh, Deputy Associate Dean Research Excellence & Senior Lecturer […]

OU technician honoured as ‘truly inspiring’ at THE Awards 2019

29 November 2019

Dr Barbara Kunz, an Analytical Laboratory Technician at The Open University has won the Outstanding Technician of the Year category at this year’s Times Higher Education Awards. Presented last night (Thursday 28 November) at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, Dr Kunz beat off competition from seven other shortlisted universities to be […]

World Access to Higher Education Day – OU increases number of female educators in rural parts of Sierra Leone

26 November 2019

World Access to Higher Education Day (26 November) is an opportunity to highlight how HE is contributing to global inequality as much as it is addressing it. The Open University’s project in Sierra Leone GATE – Girls’ Access to Education aims to increase the number of female educators in rural parts of the country. The […]

Open University Position Statement on USS Pensions and 2019/20 Pay Award

25 November 2019

The Open University (OU) is one of more than 340 higher education and related institutions across the United Kingdom that participate in the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). With effect from Monday 25 November 2019, the University and College Union (UCU) has announced it is taking eight days of strike action. This is around two separate […]

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