Strategy and policy

The Open University is Scotland’s most popular provider of part-time higher education, accounting for almost 60% of all undergraduates studying part-time.

It is our responsibility to advocate on behalf of our students, and part-time students generally, to make sure that their needs and interests are taken into account in higher education policy and by decision-makers.

We work with:

• Scottish Government, 
• Scottish Funding Council, 
• Members of the Scottish Parliament, 
• Universities Scotland and
• other key organisations on all sorts of issues relating to part-time study and student support. 

Part-time study widens access to higher education and makes an immediate economic impact. 18% of our new undergraduates join the OU in Scotland without standard university entrance qualifications.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP is pictured (above right) speaking at a reception in the Scottish Parliament, in April 2019, to mark the OU's 50th anniversary.

The map below shows the numbers of OU in Scotland students by Scottish Parliamentary region.

In May 2017, OU in Scotland Director Susan Stewart welcomed delegates from more than 30 organisations to a seminar in Glasgow, to discuss the place of adult learning in widening access to higher education in Scotland. Keynote speaker was Professor Sir Peter Scott, Fair Access Commissioner of the Scottish Government. Hear from Professor Scott by watching the video below.

Consultation responses

Read our consultation responses and briefing papers.

Strategy

Strategic Plan

Our Strategic Plan to 2021/22 provides a clear direction for the coming years and sets out how we will build on 50 years of success to reach more students with life-changing learning. 

The OU is committed to promoting educational opportunity and social justice through our innovative supported open learning, underpinned by world-class academic research.

Click on the shield image, right, to enlarge it.

Student success

• understanding our students’ study goals and ensuring they get onto the right study path at the right level
• supporting our students to successfully progress through and complete their chosen module(s) or qualification
• delivering a high quality and flexible student experience with high levels of student satisfaction
• supporting students to achieve positive career and personal development outcomes.

The Open University's Annual Report

Read The Open University's interactive Annual Report 2018/19.

OU in Scotland Outcome Agreement

Outcome agreements set out what universities plan to deliver in return for their funding from the Scottish Funding Council. Their focus is on the contribution that universities make towards improving life chances, supporting world-class research and creating sustainable economic growth for Scotland.

• The Open University in Scotland’s Outcome Agreement with the Scottish Funding Council 2020-23

The OU’s Student and Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2020-2023

At The Open University we recognise that mental health and wellbeing impacts all aspects of our lives. This Student and Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy has been developed in line with the Universities UK (2017) Stepchange framework for mental health in higher education. It applies to all OU staff and students.

• The OU's Student and Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2020-2023 

The OU in Scotland’s Student Mental Health Agreement

The Open University in Scotland is committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our students and staff. We have developed our Student Mental Health Agreement (SMHA) in partnership with the OU Students Association, with support from the National Union of Students Scotland’s Think Positive project.

It is in line with the OU Student and Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, setting out our joint commitment to work together to promote the mental wellbeing of our students.

• The Open University in Scotland’s Student Mental Health Agreement 2020-2021

Footnote: The proportion of part-time undergraduates is based on 2018-19 HESA data.