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"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
Sean standing with both hands in the air and a grin across his face. He's wearing OU degree robes and in the background you can see the pitch from Croke Park.

From Tools to Tech: Sean's Journey of Reinvention

At 39, Dublin native Sean has made a remarkable career transition from working as a carpenter to becoming a Civil and Structural Subject Matter Expert (SME) for a leading data centre multinational company.  His journey, from working on rooftops to being employed in an office, highlights the transformative power of education – and the role The Open University played in his success. 

11th November 2024
A woman wearing a white uniform with green piping stands indoors, looking at the camera with a gentle smile. Her hair is pulled back, and she has light-colored eyes and subtle makeup.

Lisburn Mother’s Inspiring Journey to Become a Nurse through The Open University

Karen Cochrane, a 53-year-old from Lisburn, is set to launch her career in adult nursing after an inspiring journey through The Open University (OU) that brought her challenges, triumphs, and a renewed passion for helping others. 

11th November 2024
"A dark blue graphic featuring The Open University logo in white at the top right. The text 'Programme for Government' is centered in bold white font. A decorative purple gradient pattern lines the bottom edge of the image."

The Open University Response to Draft Programme for Government

The Open University has published a response to the Northern Ireland Executive’s draft Programme for Government 2024-2027, “Our Plan: Doing What Matters Most”. 

5th November 2024
A computer monitor displaying The Open University OpenLearn webpage. The website features a colorful graphic with images of mathematical tools, including a ruler, measuring tape, and measuring spoon. The webpage title reads "Learn maths in Northern Ireland," and a search bar is visible at the top along with navigation tabs for subjects, free courses, and study skills.

Numeracy skills set to get a boost with free online maths course from The Open University

The Open University in Northern Ireland is offering adults a fantastic opportunity to strengthen their math skills with a free ‘Everyday Maths 1 (Northern Ireland)’ course.

15th October 2024
A woman with glasses and shoulder-length grey hair smiles while holding a large silver trophy. She is standing in front of a banner with "The Open University" logo. She wears a patterned dress and a brown jacket, appearing proud of her achievement. The background shows large windows with a cityscape visible outside.

Open University Student Wins NIPEC Excellence Award for Nursing and Midwifery

Nancy Law, a 51-year-old Open University student from Greenisland, has been awarded the prestigious NIPEC (Northern Ireland Practice Education Council) Excellence Award for her outstanding contributions in the field of nursing and midwifery.

11th October 2024
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The Open University Marks 30th Anniversary of Northern Ireland Ceasefires with New Educational Resource on OpenLearn

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Northern Ireland ceasefires, The Open University is proud to announce the launch of a new educational resource on OpenLearn. 

11th October 2024
Hailee, a woman in her early 20s, sits at the back of a van with its doors open, enjoying a moment of relaxation. She is holding a mug and wearing casual outdoor clothing, including a purple jacket and khaki pants. The van is parked in a scenic area with green hills in the background. She is smiling away from the camera while holding a mug.

Exploring Alternative Paths: Hailee’s Inspiring Journey from A-Levels to The Open University

As A-Level results day arrives, students across Northern Ireland face the exciting yet daunting task of deciding their next steps. While many will follow traditional university routes, Hailee, a young woman from near Holywood, chose an alternative path that balances flexibility, passion, and practicality.

14th August 2024
A promotional graphic with the text "Skill Up, Get Ahead" in bold letters at the top. Below, it reads: "Discover new opportunities with a free course worth up to £3,360." At the bottom, there are logos and text representing The Open University, the Department for the Economy, and Skill Up. The background is dark blue with a stylized geometric design in orange and pink in the upper right corner

The Open University opens applications for hundreds of free places on a range of courses funded by the Department for the Economy’s Skill Up initiative

The Open University has opened applications for a range of free postgraduate courses and short microcredential courses funded by the Department for the Economy’s Skill Up initiative. 

There are 26 courses to choose from in three critical areas: green skills, computing & IT, and leadership and management. Courses range in price from £275 to £3,360 but will be fully funded by the Department under the Skill Up scheme. 

12th August 2024
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Christine Murphy, Communications Manager

Tel 028 9053 6219