The Open University

OU pays tribute to Asa Briggs, former OU Chancellor

5 October 2016

Members of the OU community, past and present, attended yesterday’s thanksgiving service for the late Asa Briggs. The former Vice-Chancellor Sir John Daniel, representing the OU and a close family friend, paid tribute to Asa’s remarkable contribution to the OU and announced the new Asa Briggs Chair in History. All the speakers brought out just […]

Don’t ignore part-time study

4 August 2016

A report by the Department for Education into widening participating in higher education found that the percentage of state-educated pupils going on to universities and colleges in 2013/14 fell to 62%, from 66% in the previous year. Leading figures from across the education sector are calling on the Government for an urgent review and action […]

Open University responds to review of Research Excellence Framework

29 July 2016

The independent review of the process for assessing university research and allocating public funding has been published by Lord Nicholas Stern outlining proposals to protect and strengthen the UK’s leadership in world-class research. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is run every 5 to 6 years and requires UK universities, that conduct research, to submit their top research […]

OU joins new search for water on the Moon

13 July 2016

A new mini robotic laboratory going to the south pole of the Moon to search for water could “enable a new wave of human exploration of the Moon and beyond” according to Open University scientist Dr Simeon Barber. The Open University has partnered with leading aerospace company Leonardo-Finmeccanica to develop ProSPA, a miniature robotic laboratory […]

‘Urgent action’ needed to protect adult education

6 July 2016

New report sponsored by The Open University calls for cohesive national strategy to protect adult education The first report commissioned by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Adult Education, sponsored by The Open University and conducted by the Institute for Employment Research (IER) at Warwick University, has called for a cohesive national strategy for adult education. […]

OU Vice-Chancellor: Brexit vote highlights social inequality

30 June 2016

The Vice-Chancellor of The Open University, Peter Horrocks, has used a keynote speech to highlight a link between levels of degree attainment and how parts of the UK voted in the referendum. Addressing the Forum for Access and Continuing Education (FACE) Annual Conference in Belfast, Mr Horrocks called on the government to address the “national […]

EU referendum: initial response from The Open University

24 June 2016

Following the vote to leave the EU, the Vice-Chancellor of The Open University, Peter Horrocks, has highlighted the important role the OU continues to play. While it will take some time for the full details and potential impact of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU to become clear, Mr Horrocks has written to staff : “Such […]

Universities Minister highlights importance of lifetime learning

10 June 2016

The Universities and Science Minister, Jo Johnson MP, has used a keynote speech to highlight the importance of life-long access to higher education. Addressing the annual conference of the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) at London’s Regent’s University, Mr Johnson said that “the student journey can only be regarded as a success if it is […]

OU welcomes HE White Paper

16 May 2016

More degree awarding powers to new universities, recognising teaching quality and widening participation to HE was the rallying cry from Jo Johnson, Minister of State for Universities and Science in England, in the HE White Paper that promises to increase choice for students and promote social mobility. Published today (16 May) Success as a Knowledge Economy: […]

Open University looks to the future as it celebrates 47 years of transforming lives

26 April 2016

The Vice-Chancellor of The Open University (OU) has called on the organisation to draw inspiration from its “glorious” past as it marks the 47th anniversary of receiving its Royal Charter. A series of special events have been taking place across the OU, including keynote speeches from Peter Horrocks, as well as the University’s Pro-Chancellor, Richard Gillingwater. The […]

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