News

Karen smiling to camera in OU degree ceremony robes

From anxiety to achievement: How Karen overcame mental health barriers and got her degree

Karen from Derry celebrated her success at our Dublin Degree Ceremony last year. It was a moment of triumph for her that once seemed out of reach. Her story is one of persistence, mental health struggles and rediscovering a love for learning after years away from education. 

13th May 2025
A photo of Kathryn smiling in front of a door.

Lurgan Nurse-in-Training Champions Mental Health and Adventure

Kathryn Edwards, a 32-year-old Senior Nursing Assistant from Lurgan, is making strides in her journey to becoming a Registered Mental Health Nurse through her studies at The Open University. Working in a secure forensic unit, Kathryn provides care for males with intellectual disabilities, but her passion extends far beyond her professional role.

9th May 2025
A smiling woman with long red hair wearing a blue dress and black graduation gown stands in a stadium, with green pitch and empty seats in the background.

Donna’s Journey: From ‘Superwoman’ to Career Success

For Donna from Newry, juggling a career, studies, and three young children seemed impossible—but she made it work.

23rd April 2025
An elderly woman with white hair, wearing a red Puma sports top, stands smiling on a running track while holding a large sign that reads "Take Five to Age Well." The sign features colorful icons representing wellbeing. In the background, there is a green hillside, trees, and a bright blue sky with some clouds.

University initiative encourages public to make life changes to support ageing well

Launching in May, ‘Take Five to Age Well' is a new month-long challenge designed to help people in Northern Ireland adopt small, everyday habits that can lead to a longer, healthier life.

14th April 2025
Minister for the Economy Dr Caoimhe Archibald stands with members of the Alliance for Lifelong Learning on the terrace at Parliament Buildings, Stormont. The group is posed smiling in front of scenic parkland, with two members holding copies of a report titled "Measuring the Impact of Adult Education in Northern Ireland."

New Research Highlights Importance of Measuring the Impact of Adult Education and Listening to Learners’ Voices in Northern Ireland

The new research report launched this morning at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, reveals the impact of adult education in Northern Ireland and the value of measuring it.

10th April 2025
A group of five people stand outside a grand stone building, smiling at the camera. Two individuals hold signs displaying "The Open University" and "NILGA - Northern Ireland Local Government Association," while another holds a tablet showing an online learning platform. One person wears a ceremonial mayoral chain, signifying a leadership role. The image represents the launch of a new learning hub initiative for local councillors in Northern Ireland.

NILGA and The Open University Launch New Online Learning Hub for Councillors

NILGA and The Open University have launched a new initiative to support the development and broaden the skills of elected members.

3rd April 2025
Two women stand outdoors on a balcony overlooking a cityscape with modern and traditional buildings in the background. They are holding signs representing AWARE NI and The Open University in Ireland. The woman on the left, wearing a white top and brown trousers, holds a sign that reads "AWARE – Overcoming Depression. Changing Lives." in large, bold letters. The woman on the right, wearing a patterned burgundy top and dark trousers, holds a sign displaying "The Open University Ireland" with the uni's logo

The Open University Partners with AWARE NI to Support Student Mental Health

The Open University in Northern Ireland is proud to announce a new partnership with AWARE NI, the depression charity working for better mental health across Northern Ireland.

7th March 2025
A close-up of multiple people sitting in a row, each engrossed in their smartphones. Their hands and devices are in focus, while their faces and backgrounds are blurred. The image captures a modern digital scene, likely in a public setting such as a waiting area or public transport.

Verbal wins OSC grant for social media resilience project

In a significant boost to youth mental health initiatives, Verbal, a local based charity in Derry/Londonderry and working across the island of Ireland, dedicated to improving wellbeing through storytelling, has secured £25k funding from The Open University's Open Societal Challenges (OSC) grant for their innovative project, "Beyond ‘Liking’ or ‘Not Liking’: Co-Created Stories for Social Media Resilience."

13th February 2025
"Group of nine people standing outdoors on a rooftop terrace in an urban setting, holding a circular sign featuring various logos, including The Open University and other institutions. The individuals are dressed in business attire, smiling, with buildings and a cityscape visible in the background."

The Open University in Northern Ireland Achieves Milestone with Partnerships Across All Six FE Colleges

The Open University (OU) has reached a significant milestone in its mission to expand access to higher education across Northern Ireland by establishing validation partnerships with all six Further Education (FE) colleges.

28th January 2025
A mother crouches beside her toddler, who is seated on a zebra-patterned rocking horse. The child, wearing striped overalls and a shirt, looks at the camera, while the mother smiles warmly at them. The room is softly lit, decorated with a teepee, bunting, and wall art, creating a cosy, playful atmosphere.

Nearly two thirds of mums in Northern Ireland want to retrain for a new career, but money, time and guilt hold them back

Almost two-thirds (62%) of NI mums surveyed would consider retraining for a new career but are held back by multiple barriers according to new data.

11th November 2024
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A picture of Christine Murphy who has fair curly hair and is smiling and wearing a white jumper

For media enquiries please contact:

Christine Murphy, Communications Manager

Tel 028 9053 6219