Open University's support backs students all the way

By ‘reimagining the curriculum’, The Open University is supporting Scottish learners shape their futures in school and at home, writes Martin Boyle, Director of The Open University in Scotland.

As Scotland’s education system continues to evolve, The Open University (OU) in Scotland is playing a growing and influential role – offering innovative, flexible learning opportunities that complement and expand the traditional school curriculum.

Through its Young Applicants in Schools Scheme (YASS), free learning platform OpenLearn, and increasing support for the home education community, the OU is helping shape the future of learning for young people across the country.

The OU in Scotland’s flagship initiative YASS allows S6 pupils to take university-level courses while still at school. Funded by the Scottish Funding Council, YASS provides free access to a wide range of OU modules – equivalent to first-year university study – across subject areas including science, business, languages, law, computing, and health.

Since 2007, more than 13,200 students from 330 schools have taken part in YASS.

The programme has been widely praised by teachers and learners alike for bridging the gap between school and higher education or employment, while developing confidence, resilience and independent study skills.

“YASS ticks just about all of the boxes of a good widening access initiative,” says a UCAS Adviser and Widening Access Coordinator from Doon Academy.

“It fills a curricular gap, deepens and broadens learning, encourages our young people to take responsibility for their futures, and limits the disadvantage faced by pupils in one of the most deprived parts of the country.”

YASS modules are structured and tutor-supported, but offer flexibility: students choose when and where they study, allowing them to fit coursework around school subjects and other responsibilities.

Each course carries 10 or 30 SCQF Level 7 credits and lasts from five to nine months. The credits may not count toward UCAS tariff points but can be listed in applications and personal statements, showcasing valuable academic and personal strengths.

One student commented: “I would absolutely recommend the YASS course because it helps you learn initiative, self-discipline and forward-planning - not just study skills but life skills.”

But the OU’s impact on Scotland’s education extends beyond the classroom and increasingly, into the home. Home education in Scotland has grown rapidly in recent years, with a 40% rise in registrations between 2021 and 2024.

Families are choosing to home educate for a variety of reasons: unmet additional support needs, mental health and wellbeing concerns, neurodiversity, or simply a desire for more personalised, child-led learning.

Recognising this shift, the Scottish Government issued updated guidance on home education in January 2025 - the first major revision in nearly two decades.

One key recommendation is for families to plan early how their children will access qualifications, particularly as many internal assessments in the school system are costly for home-educated learners.

This is where the OU becomes an invaluable resource. OpenLearn, the OU’s free learning platform, offers over 1,000 courses suitable for a range of ages and abilities, from introductory science and arts to more advanced topics like law, finance and climate change.

Many of these courses include digital badges or certificates of completion, useful for building a portfolio of learning and preparing for more formal study later on.

OU researcher Dr Chelle Oldham has documented the experiences of home-educated learners across the UK, highlighting how many use OpenLearn to supplement or replace formal qualifications.

OU’s open-access ethos, flexible approach and wealth of resources make it a natural partner for Scotland’s diverse learners.”
 

In her study, families spoke of the freedom to explore subjects deeply, learn at their own pace, and access university-style content that matched their interests.

One 14-year-old participant reflected, “You can spend more time with [family]… like with granny and grandad, I can spend longer chunks of time than I would be able to in school.”

The OU’s open-access ethos, flexible approach and wealth of resources make it a natural partner for Scotland’s diverse learners - whether they’re in a classroom, learning from home, or navigating the transition to further or higher education.

As Scotland’s curriculum continues to shift toward inclusion, choice, and real-world relevance, The Open University stands as a vital contributor—offering more than just courses; it opens pathways and possibilities.

15 May 2025