Third sector
Empowering the Third Sector through life-changing learning
Committed to widening access, The Open University (OU) in Scotland develops learning partnerships with voluntary and third sector organisations across Scotland to help individuals, communities and organisations access life-changing learning and achieve their ambitions.
For over 50 years we’ve pioneered life-changing learning for people across the UK and around the world. Our commitment to social justice and our work to widen access to education makes us an ideal partner for organisations which support communities across Scotland.
Our curriculum and variety of learning methods mean that we can support all types of organisations, no matter their size or mission. There’s something for everyone, no matter where you are in your educational or career journey. Our learning is designed to be flexible so that people can study alongside their other life and work commitments.
One of the very best things about working with The Open University is their style of working. The third sector is brilliantly placed to work with communities across Scotland.
Lita is a prime example of taking initiative and pursuing further development opportunities.The project management microcredential course that she undertook added immense value.
It's been really useful in terms of being able to plan multiple projects at the same time. I just gained the confidence that I needed through that one unit.
Our vision is making Scotland a better place. For us, it makes absolute sense to collaborate with somebody like The Open University to make sure we're dealing with the right problems, we're working on the right things, and we're investing the right pieces of work.
The very first thing that we did was create a portal that allowed our staff to get access to a wide, wide, wide range of courses.
In terms of her role and the skills that she's developed is invaluable.
One of my colleagues is leading our group on inclusion and diversity and so wanted to refresh some of his learnings on that. That's how he used the OU and he found it an extremely good resource.
It's great to have a new challenge in life. It was a personal thing as well as a professional development.
The Open University’s Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership is an academic centre of excellence which produces impactful research and curriculum around leadership in the voluntary sector.
From free learning resources to collaborative research, organisations can work with the Centre to bring about real change in their organisations and communities.
The Open Societal Challenges programme at OU is a research initiative that aims to tackle some of the most important challenges of our time through impact-driven research. The Programme focusses on the themes of Tackling Inequalities, Living Well, and Sustainability. Engaging with communities, charities, and businesses is at the core of our ethos.
We are committed to support research co-design and participatory research drawing on the OU’s unique expertise and strengths in this area.
Our objective is to work with communities so that our research builds the power and capacity of local communities to sustain meaningful change.
Find out how OU in Scotland can support you.
Third sector organisations who have worked with The Open University in Scotland include:
Contact us
For more information on how we can work with your voluntary or third sector organisation contact:
the OU Scotland Cares team
Explore
Undergraduate
Postgraduate
Policy
-
Follow us on Social media
-
