Policy

The Open University in Wales engages regularly with politicians and policymakers across the country to promote the benefits of flexible higher education and to secure support for our students to study with us.

On this page, you will find out more about our policy asks, our policy positions, and how you can learn more about public policy and political engagement more broadly.

Policy asks

Ahead of the 2026 Senedd election, we published our own manifesto, which set out our priorities for the new Welsh Government.

In this section, you will be able to see that manifesto, and we will also update it from time to time with our broader policy asks.

An important part of what we do is work to lead the conversation around the importance of flexible higher education to Wales’ communities and its economy. You can find more information below.

Unlocking Wales’ potential: flexible higher education as a national priority – Ben Lewis for the Institute of Welsh Affairs 

Flexible higher education: Wales’ untapped tool to fight poverty – Cerith Rhys Jones for the Bevan Foundation

What a reimagined ‘university of the air’ could achieve for a modern Wales - Cerith Rhys Jones for Nation.Cymru

Consultation responses

Another important part of what we do is responding to consultations and inquiries from the Welsh Government, Senedd committees, Medr, and others.

We will make these available here as they are published.

Learning resources

If you want to find out more about public policy and how you can have your say, why not explore the links below?

If you come across other resources that could be useful to add to this section, please let us know.

Free course: Understanding devolution in Wales

Free course: Introduction to making political and social change

Guide: You, me and the future of Wales 

Changemakers