Jenny Holl

OU graduate Jenny Holl holds up one of her Paralympic cycling gold medalsParalympic double gold cycling medallist Jenny Holl reflects on Open University (OU) degree success amidst podium finishes in her sport.

The elite performing British Cycling programme member says of her sporting career: “The Paris Paralympics have to be the highlight so far. 

“A world record, two gold medals, a silver and a bronze were really more than we could’ve ever expected from it. 

“And I actually came home from the games to my degree certificate waiting for me!”

Jenny piloted fellow Paralympian Sophie Unwin in their tandem cycling events in the French capital during summer 2024. 

On adding a BA (Honours) Arts and Humanities degree to her name, Jenny says: “I can’t even really explain how satisfying it was. 

“The main thing was knowing that it was the outcome of so many years of work. 

“Having done my degree part time, six years had felt very long at points, so knowing I’d made it through was a relief.

Balancing studies and sport

“The OU was suggested to me by the Performance Lifestyle team at British Cycling. 

There were a few other athletes within the Great Britain Cycling Team already doing OU degrees, so I knew it was doable to balance studies and my sport.”

“There were a few other athletes within the Great Britain Cycling Team – in the Women’s Endurance squad - already doing OU degrees, so I knew it was doable to balance studies and my sport.”

Jenny - crowned female rider of the year at the Scottish Cycling Awards 2024 - says: “I had done Higher history and English at school, and enjoyed them, and the Arts and Humanities course I picked felt like it leaned into them, but with the potential to be broader and more far-reaching. 

“I didn’t want to be too pigeon-holed into something I wasn’t sure on.

“For me my study inspiration was always the goal of making sure I had something as backup from sport. 

“Cycling is so dependent on not being injured, and not being pushed out by someone better, so it’s not a career with huge longevity. 

“It felt so important to me to know I had something that I would be able to rely on in the event that my cycling career ended earlier than I planned.”

Jenny juggled being an OU student with her full-time training schedule, plus competing internationally. The 25-year-old shares: “I studied in plenty of unusual locations over the years!

“I had an unlucky habit of having essays due while I was at competitions, so my teammates regularly saw me studying and writing all around the sporting work. 

“I think finishing my end-of-module exam in Atlanta Airport after racing in Alabama, just before jumping on my flight back the UK, probably takes the cake!

Degree without debt

For me the Part-Time Fee Grant was a game changer. It allowed me to complete my degree without debt.”

“I received the Part-Time Fee Grant during my studies. For me this was a game changer. 

“It allowed me to complete my degree without debt, and for me that kind of support from the Scottish Government is just invaluable.

“I would love to attend an OU degree ceremony in future. I’m still looking forward to getting to celebrate it with my family.”

To anyone about to start an OU course, “I think the main thing I’d say would be to lean on your tutors and the other students through the forums,” advises Jenny. 

“With the courses being online it could feel a little like you’re on your own to do it all, but all my tutors were brilliant when I needed help and chances are someone in the forums is having the exact same problems.”

Future goals

Jenny, who grew up in the Stirling area, may return to more studies in future. 

“I had considered looking into something along the lines of Sport Management at Masters level, with the thought of what I might want to get into following my athlete career,” she says. 

I was watching in Glasgow 2014 so to get to race there at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Scotland kit would be a dream come true!”

“The idea of staying in sport really appeals to me but my Arts and Humanities degree might need some converting there!

“I wouldn’t rule out an OU Masters. The freedom of being able to work from anywhere is so practical while I am training and racing.”

As for Jenny’s 2025/26 competitive cycling goals, “We have world championships every year and that’s always a huge target, but the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2026 is another really big one,” she shares. 

“I was watching in Glasgow 2014 so to get to race there in Scotland kit would be a dream come true!”