The Open University

‘The OU empowered me to fulfil my dream and switch careers’

12 July 2023

Zimbabwean student Samantha, 25, had always loved academia, but despite being offered opportunities to attend universities in several different countries, the course costs were a barrier she was unable to overcome. Samantha was determined not to give up on her dream of postgraduate study and a career in translation, so she set her sights on […]

50 years on – Michael looks back on the OU’s “awe-inspiring” first graduation ceremony

23 June 2023

In 1973, Michael Shaw and fellow pioneer students made history by crossing the stage at The Open University’s first graduation ceremony at Alexandra Palace. Fifty years since graduating, retired head teacher Michael shares how at 82 with an esteemed teaching career behind him, collecting his OU degree scroll is still one of his proudest moments. […]

Nicola officially ‘collects’ her Open University degree – 31 years after earning it

14 April 2023

Thirty-one years after passing her Open University degree, former Weymouth schoolgirl Nicola Willis-Jones finally ‘officially’ graduated at an OU degree ceremony. After living in three different countries, now settled in America, the 61-year-old hadn’t made time to ‘collect’ on her hard-earned work. But that all changed recently when she climbed the stage at the Milton […]

From Army veteran to space scientist

3 October 2022

When Open University graduate Ian Muirhead isn’t searching for moons and exoplanets, he’s inspiring the next generation of space scientists to reach for the stars. It’s a career he never dreamed possible when he left school at 15 without any qualifications. Over 20 years’ on and Ian tells us he couldn’t be happier making the […]

‘The OU has paved the way for my law career’

23 September 2022

OU graduate Harry Goodwin, 34, credits The Open University for helping him grow in confidence and allowing him to tailor study specifically to his needs and interests. Harry’s first-class honours BSc Open Degree has paved the way to fulfilling his dreams of becoming a solicitor. Where it all began “I had heard from work colleagues […]

OU student Emily Jackson outside her place of work

‘I want to make a difference to people’s lives’ says nurse apprentice Emily

8 August 2022

Emily Jackson always knew she wanted a career helping others. But it wasn’t until she witnessed the ‘amazing’ end of life care her grandad received from nurses that she found her vocation. Inspired to one day don her own nursing scrubs, Emily set out to retrain. At 25, she’s now part-way through her Registered Nurse […]

OU PhD student Kate researching urban trees

OU PhD student using urban tree research to tackle climate change

29 October 2021

“For trees to look after humans, we first need to look after them,” says Kate Hand, an Open University PhD student whose research examines the huge part urban trees can play in the fight against climate change. Kate, 32, from Aberdeenshire and now living in Milton Keynes, has always loved exploring the great outdoors. Yet […]

‘Being different makes the best stories’ – author Shereen shares her tips for aspiring writers

23 June 2021

“I get really emotive about an issue and it inspires me to write about it,” says British Palestinian author Shereen Malherbe, who made her writing dream come true while studying for an English Literature and Creative Writing degree with The Open University. Shereen published her debut novel while studying part-time and used the chapters she […]

The best of both worlds – working and studying cyber security with the OU

24 March 2021

Pierce Holland was at a crossroads in his life at 18. He had a been offered a place at university, but the subjects he was going to study didn’t excite him. His employer offered him a managerial role and his parents wanted him to work. Then a conversation with an old school teacher led him […]

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