Nearly half of Scottish grads first in family to attend uni

More than 800 graduates have become the first generation in their families to experience higher education, as The Open University in Scotland celebrates the achievements of its class of 2026.  

New figures reveal that 815 graduates, representing 47% of the university's 1,735 qualifiers this year, reported that neither parent had attended higher education. 

The milestone was marked at graduation ceremonies held in Glasgow on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 October, celebrating the achievements of students across Scotland.  

The figures highlight the significance of the celebrations for hundreds of families across Scotland, with students becoming the first generation to access higher education and establishing a new educational milestone for their families.

For many graduates - such as former chef now trainee teacher, Graeme Gunn (pictured above) - gaining a qualification has meant fitting studies around existing responsibilities, with the university's flexible approach allowing people to pursue higher education alongside employment and other demands on their time. 

That connection with working life continues beyond study, with 96% of OU in Scotland graduates in employment.  

The ceremonies recognised academic achievements while highlighting the importance of making higher education accessible to people whose backgrounds or circumstances may have otherwise made university study difficult.  

Alongside the focus on access, the university's teaching continues to be highly rated by its students, with 90.8% of OU students in Scotland satisfied with the overall quality of their course in the 2026 National Student Survey, placing the university second in Scotland for student satisfaction.  

Martin Boyle, Principal of The Open University in Scotland, said: 

We want people across Scotland to know that university is an option for them, whatever their background or stage of life.”

Martin Boyle, OU in Scotland Principal 

“Degree ceremonies are always special occasions, but knowing that nearly half of our graduates are achieving something neither of their parents had the opportunity to experience makes this year's ceremonies particularly significant.  

“Behind that 47% are hundreds of individual stories. People who have worked and dealt with the challenges that life brings, while finding the time and determination to complete a university qualification. 

“Having parents who went to university should never be a requirement for feeling that higher education is within your reach. We want people across Scotland to know that university is an option for them, whatever their background or stage of life.”  

Four honorary graduates were also recognised at the ceremonies. They work in fields as different as sport and international education but access to education runs through their stories.  

Paralympic tandem cyclist and double gold medallist, Jenny Holl MBE (pictured right), received an honorary Doctor of the University award at the Friday morning ceremony. 

She studied with the university while managing international racing and training, giving her firsthand experience of combining elite sport with higher education.  

She said: “I believe that access to education is so important and the way that The Open University makes higher education more available to so many people is a great thing. 

“For me, with training and racing commitments, including regular travel for competitions and training camps, trying to do a degree with a regular in-person university simply wouldn't have worked.  

“The flexibility of the OU made combining professional sport and higher education possible and that opens up more opportunities for anyone wanting to combine education with the other big things in life, whatever that may be.”  

The same principle extended beyond Scotland in the work of Marlyn Somers (pictured right), founder of Uganda Aid Person To Person, who was honoured on Thursday morning as a Master of the University for her work supporting education in Uganda.  

She said: “I believe that education is one of the greatest gifts we can give someone. 

“Making education accessible to everyone, whatever their background or circumstances, gives people the chance to change not only their lives but the lives of their families.”  

The ceremonies brought two further honorary awards, with novelist and poet Jenni Fagan and Scots language poet and mental health advocate Len Pennie both receiving honorary Doctor of the University awards.  

Pennie delivered some of her speech in Scots, highlighting a language that The Open University is helping to celebrate and preserve through its free online learning opportunities.  

Len (pictured right) said: “I truly believe in the value of education and the vital need for that education to be adapted to the needs of each learner. Education is a human right and we are all lifelong learners.”  

The university offers free Scots language and culture courses through its OpenLearn Create platform, allowing learners to explore the language at introductory and intermediate levels. 

It also works with Education Scotland to provide a professional learning programme which helps teachers and lecturers bring Scots language and culture into the classroom, with recognition by the General Teaching Council for Scotland.  

The ceremonies brought graduates and university staff together to recognise qualifications earned over years of study. 

By becoming the first in their families to attend university, many OU in Scotland graduates are breaking new ground, changing their lives, and inspiring others.

26 October 2026

Photos by Kathryn Tuckerman