The Open University

OU degree is ‘on pointe’ for Scottish Ballet star

21 December 2022

An acclaimed Scottish Ballet dancer shares how she achieved her first-class Open University degree alongside a full-time career as a professional ballerina. Constance Devernay-Laurence is used to wowing audiences as a Principal dancer in Scottish Ballet. She’s now added another achievement to her bright career by completing a degree in Sport, Fitness and Coaching. “It’s […]

OU Disabled Veterans' Scholarship recipient Steven shares how studying has turned his life around

‘My scholarship was life-changing and life-saving’

29 November 2022

A military veteran who was badly injured during a rescue mission shares how education has helped him turn his life around. Steven Wilson, 46, from Dumfries, served as a Private in the 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment (1 Para) and put his life on the line rescuing hostages in a top-secret mission. It was during the […]

‘The OU MBA paved the way for my career success’

21 November 2022

Tillmann Henssler from Germany says The Open University has created so many opportunities in his award-winning career at pharmaceuticals giant Pfizer. “The MBA at the OU was one the best things I have done in my life,” says Tillmann, now 55 and living in Berlin. “I started studying while working as a junior manager. After […]

OU student Karen is studying to grow her health coaching business

‘I turned my blogging hobby into a business’ says OU student entrepreneur

14 November 2022

When Karen Oliver, 31, lost her job due to illness, she turned her health blog into a coaching business to support those struggling with eating disorders. She’s now studying Psychology part-time with The Open University and says the support she’s received as a busy entrepreneur and single parent is taking her business to the next […]

Could you be an entrepreneur in 2023?

11 November 2022

Open University students have turned their hobbies into successful businesses with the support of the OU – and so could you. If you already have a side hustle or a great business idea, 2023 could be the year you turn it into a reality. And the OU has resources and support on hand to help […]

New OU research finds future of small bakery businesses at risk

9 November 2022

The research, conducted by Emma Bell, Professor of Organisation and Leadership at The Open University Business School, found that the rising costs of flour and energy pose some serious challenges to bakery owners, and that support is needed for this sector to maintain its important place in local communities. Professor Bell’s research, which was conducted between […]

‘An OU degree gives you the opportunity to work around the world’

1 November 2022

When choosing her next step after college, Talia from South Africa says The Open University was the perfect fit. Now a proud graduate, 22-year-old Talia is using the skills she developed through her BSc (Honours) Open degree to get ahead in her consultancy career. “I look at where I am in my life at 22 […]

FBL Student and Alumni Awards huge success

27 October 2022

For the first time in three years the Faculty of Business and Law (FBL) was able to hold its annual Student and Alumni Awards in the flesh – without covid restrictions – and organisers called it an ‘inspirational’ event. It was held on campus in Milton Keynes and offered the chance for many students and […]

‘My OU MBA has given me a voice’ says charity CEO

27 October 2022

Maria, 54, is the CEO of sustainable clothing charity TRAID and credits her Open University MBA qualification with helping her boost her career even further. She’s now focused on using her skills to encourage the next generation of CEOs to champion environmental issues. Maria shares her story so far: “I went to a comprehensive school […]

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 […]

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