eSTEeM

Centre for Scholarship and Innovation

Open Learning collection on student retention

9th October 2026

Female sitting on floor studying with laptop

A new collection of research from Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance and e-Learning is now available. It highlights how evidence-based approaches can help remove barriers to study and support more students to succeed. 

The collection titled Improving Student Retention in Open and Distance Learning, brings together 14 articles published over almost twenty years and explores what helps students stay engaged, continue their studies and achieve success in open and distance learning. 

The research focuses on approaches that have become well established across the OU, including predictive analytics, student mentoring and universal design for learning. Much of the work has also influenced understanding of student retention across the higher education sector.

To view the collection, please visit Improving Student Retention in Open and Distance Learning.

News

A collection of research papers focusing on student retention is now available.

9th October 2026

Submissions from OU colleagues are invited for eSTEeM's third conference proceedings publication.

1st October 2026

We are delighted to announce the arrival of a new Deputy Director from January 2027.

21st September 2026