Michael Matheson

Michael Matheson MSP shares his positive experience of studying with The Open University (the OU) before he was elected to the Scottish Parliament.

After completing his first undergraduate degree in occupational therapy and starting his first job in the early 1990s, he made the decision to continue his studies and undertook a Bachelor of Arts degree and then a Diploma in Applied Social Sciences with the OU.

Working then as an occupational therapist, Mr Matheson explains: “During that time there were very significant social policy changes taking place, particularly around the NHS and Community Care Act… I was keen to explore the whole area more in study at a higher education level. That’s why I chose to take forward the degree and then subsequently the Diploma with the OU.”

He found that the OU was “cutting-edge” concerning the social policy changes that were happening at that time, which allowed him to “reflect on the difference between policy intentions and the reality of policy being implemented… I think it helped me being able to bring real, lived policy experience to my studies.”

OU are ‘experts’ at increasing accessibility

Balancing work and studying at the same time, Mr Matheson suggests that the way the OU is structured means “it’s been brilliantly designed to support people who are working or have other commitments… you can structure your studies in a way that works for you.”

We often talk about increasing accessibility in further and higher education. The OU have been doing that for decades and are real experts at it.

He also points out: “At the time when I was working in the Highlands in my first job, to do a part-time university course somewhere else, it just wouldn’t have been possible. There was no University of the Highlands and Islands at that point. The OU was absolutely ideal working in a remote, rural area.”

“We often talk about increasing accessibility in further and higher education. The OU have been doing that for decades and are real experts at it,” the SNP MSP comments.

OU study materials ‘first-class’

He found that the study materials provided were “absolutely first-class… some of which I still have on my bookshelf to this day”.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience of it – from the quality of the materials through to the tutorials, to engaging with the other students and tutors, to the residential week. I found the whole process very enjoyable and a positive experience.

“The quality of the feedback you received from OU tutors was always very substantial.”

First elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999, the MSP for Falkirk West says he has continued to use the social policy learning he gained during his OU studies while responsible for a number of different Scottish Government portfolios, such as Public Health and Sport.

Speaking while Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, Mr Matheson reflected that the Scottish Government’s target of net zero emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2045 will be an opportunity to retrain, refresh and refocus skills that will be needed to deliver that commitment.

Transition to net zero society

“We need to make sure in the transition to becoming a net zero society that we don’t leave anyone in our society behind. Retraining and access to part-time, flexible courses are a really important part in helping to support that… The OU can play an important part in helping to deliver that.”

It’s the sort of institution that if you didn’t have it then you’d have to invent it.

To anyone thinking of studying with the OU, Mr Matheson says: “Even if you don’t want to do a degree and you want to complete a module in a particular area, then it’s worth it because the depth of materials that you’ll receive will certainly enrich you and help you in whatever area you’re wanting to study. I would absolutely encourage people to do that.

“That’s another thing with the OU, it’s the range of the options they give you. You can stop the clock and spread it out and take the time to do things at a pace that works for you. 

“It’s the sort of institution that if you didn’t have it then you’d have to invent it.”

He adds that when someone applies to work in his office and they have an OU degree, then it already tells him a lot about that person. He explains: “They’ve had to be self-disciplined about how they’ve gone about studying and completing that course.”

Mr Matheson doesn’t rule out himself studying with the OU again in the future, but this time for personal interest “because it can be a really rewarding experience and it allows you to dip into areas”.