News

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

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

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