The Open University

The Open University responds to the NHS 10-year Health Plan

17 July 2025

The Government has now published its 10-Year Health Plan for England, focusing on the NHS being ‘Fit for the Future’. Here, the OU nursing team give their topline thoughts on the three main themes. Hospital to Community The emphasis on prioritising most care out of or near to home is expected, appreciated and long overdue. […]

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 […]

Open University Tutor makes the King’s Honours list

1 July 2025

Open University tutor, Diane Powles, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to Nursing and to Education in the Kings Birthday Honours list 2025. The honours list gives recognition to people who have made outstanding contributions to their sectors across the UK. On finding out she had been honoured, Diane said: […]

Alice on a tennis court giving a fist pump.

‘I’ve been able to achieve a Law degree without sacrificing the sport I love’ says professional tennis player Alice

1 July 2025

Thinking ahead to life after tennis, Alice, 26, was determined to lay the foundations for a new career, while still playing the sport she loves. Discovering that she could do both by choosing to study at The Open University, Alice shares how she achieved a first-class degree in Law alongside a hectic competition schedule on […]

New university collaborative ‘ResearchPlus’ announced to give leading research universities a voice and help boost UK research and innovation.

26 June 2025

Today, ten leading research-focused universities announced their intention to form a new strategic partnership. ‘ResearchPlus’ will give a collective voice to universities that constitute a critical element of the UK’s research and innovation system, and that deliver vital research-informed education and advanced skills. ResearchPlus has the primary aim of enhancing the strength of the UK’s […]

New OU/BBC co-production explores mental health

19 June 2025

A new OU/BBC programme Heston: My life with bipolar airs on Thursday 19 June, at 8pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. Heston Blumenthal is one the world’s greatest chefs, with six Michelin stars to his name. Yet in 2023, Heston started experiencing hallucinations and suicidal thoughts, his behaviour so extreme, wife Melanie decided to […]

“Resilience isn’t enough”: why the growth of women’s football could lead to player burnout

16 June 2025

Women’s football has exploded onto the global stage. Record-breaking crowds, major sponsorships, elite athletes and huge media deals have transformed the sport into a fast-growing spectacle. Its rise may be inspiring, but behind the success, many players are struggling with the growing physical and mental demands of the modern game, says Helen Owton, Lecturer in Sport and Fitness at […]

Jade sitting in a wheelchair wearing sunglasses, under a tree.

“The sense of achievement is indescribable,” says proud graduate Jade

16 June 2025

When severe health problems left Jade, 34, unable to physically attend university, she lost all hope of achieving her dream degree, fearing the opportunity had passed her by. Now a proud Psychology with Counselling graduate, Jade shares how discovering The Open University (OU) gave her the flexibility to juggle motherhood, work and study, with the […]

Open University Tutor awarded OBE for services to Education

16 June 2025

OU Tutor Dr Diane Swift has been awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in the King’s 2025 birthday honours list, for her services to education. Diane teaches and authors materials for the Primary Education modules and has been involved in the development of the apprenticeships for Teaching Assistants which she has shared through the OU’s […]

Baroness Smith visiting The Open University and meeting students. Copyright: OU

Skills Minister visits The Open University

12 June 2025

Baroness Smith of Malvern, Minister for Skills, visited The Open University (OU)’s Milton Keynes campus to meet with students and to hear about how the OU is breaking down barriers to opportunity and widening access to higher education. The Minister, who oversees Higher Education and adult education in England, was welcomed by the OU’s Interim […]

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