The Open University

Katharine Boulton at her graduation ceremony

“I realised not all was lost”

11 September 2019

“Even when things go wrong, there are always options,” says 27-year-old OU graduate Katharine Boulton. Despite not getting the university grades she hoped she would, she didn’t let this stop her and combined her industry experience with an OU Masters in Medicinal Chemistry. “I initially went to university to study forensic science,” Katharine explains. “I […]

‘It’s the reason I’m a novelist’ – award-winning children’s author talks about studying with the OU

4 September 2019

M. G. Leonard, award-winning author of bestselling children’s book series, Beetle Boy achieved a BA Degree in English Literature nearly 12 years ago. After not enjoying school and working various jobs in her 20s, the OU set Leonard on her path to becoming a writer. As we mark International Literacy Day on September 8th, Leonard […]

Donna and her husband toasting with a glass of champagne

“Language studies with the OU helped me further my career”

28 August 2019

A degree in foreign languages with the OU enabled Donna James to flourish both personally and professionally through her career development. She believes that her OU studies played a big part in furthering her career. “My greatest success was passing my degree with First-Class Honours on my 25th birthday – I practically screamed the house […]

Water on the Moon; the work behind the dream

17 July 2019

Hannah Sargeant is a PhD student at The Open University, working on techniques to extract water from Moon rocks. As around the globe, people remember the 50th anniversary of the Moon landings, we talked to her about what led her to the OU and her work as a researcher: “Why did I choose to work […]

“The OU completely changed my life”

10 July 2019

Science was the one subject Ray Barber loved since he was a boy. Working as a college technician with no qualifications, he embarked on an OU degree and his life took an amazing turn; which he credits to the qualifications he gained with the OU. He’s since travelled the world with his work, including a […]

Panel speakers at The Open University's event on lifelong learning and digital skills.

Lifelong learning should be a reality, not a slogan

4 July 2019

“Lifelong learning can no longer be a slogan. It has to be a practical reality.” That was the message fronted by Andy Haldane, Chief Economist of the Bank of England, at an event held to champion the importance of digital skills and access to education. The event, one in a series of talks organised for […]

Never too old to learn: what will you do at 91?

3 July 2019

An inspirational 91-year-old woman from Bromley, London has been named as a finalist in the Festival of Learning Awards 2019. Sylvia Rowbottom was forced to leave school during the Second World War, aged 16, but made a pledge to herself to return to education when we got the chance, no matter how long it took. […]

Meet the OU’s International Students

20 June 2019

The Open University is launching the International Open Diaries; five short films featuring incredible OU students and alumni from different corners of the world. Following on from the UK Open Diaries that were launched in summer 2018, these new diaries have a distinctly international flavour. They offer a unique insight into what it’s like for […]

Life on the frontline of nursing – pioneer student discusses her journey with the OU

29 May 2019

Pioneer student, Jacky looks back at her life and study with The Open University, spanning over 40 years. She succeeded in becoming the only registered nurse at her hospital to have a degree and after completing further study with the OU, she launched a new career as a Nursing Tutor. “I was born and raised […]

Mary Kellett, Martha Lane Fox and Sir David Attenborough

OU family past and present celebrate 50 years of The Open University

23 May 2019

Over the past fifty years, The Open University has touched millions of lives around the world. To celebrate this, honorary graduates, supporters, students and members of the OU family came together at a special 50th Anniversary dinner hosted by Chancellor Martha Lane Fox. Speaking at the event, Martha Lane-Fox expressed her delight at celebrating this […]

OU News