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MEL programme event attendees

‘Inspiring’ ceremony celebrates graduates of OU’s new diverse leadership programme

The Open University honoured its second cohort of graduates from its pioneering Minority Ethnic Leadership (MEL) Programme at a special event in London last week.

17th March 2026
image of a piggy bank

The Open University launches free financial literacy course for secondary schools in partnership with the Harrison Foundation

The Open University (OU), in partnership with the Harrison Foundation, has launched a new free financial literacy resource for 15 to 17-year-old secondary school students, designed to support teachers delivering statutory financial education within PSHE.

23rd February 2026
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Evan is back with another series of The Bottom Line

The popular OU/BBC radio series The Bottom Line takes to the airwaves for a new series from Thursday 8 January at 12.04pm on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds, bringing a weekly look at business, money tips and strategy.

12th January 2026

Champion of diversity and inclusion is honoured by OU

An Honorary Doctorate from The Open University has been awarded to diversity and inclusion strategist, Gamiel Yafai MBE, whose work has contributed to economic, social and cultural change in both Milton Keynes and beyond.

4th November 2025

The Open University and NatWest Launch ‘Open Business Creators Fund’ to Empower Women Entrepreneurs Across the UK

The Open University, in partnership with NatWest and the Department for Work and Pensions, proudly announces the return of the Open Business Creators Fund, a transformative funding competition designed to support women at the idea or early stages of their entrepreneurial journey.

21st October 2025

New initiative supports growth of diverse business founders

The Open University has partnered with social innovation and venture business, Tin Ventures, to create a new programme that supports diverse business founders across the West Midlands. The collaboration has been designed to equip entrepreneurs with the skills and connections to grow their businesses.

24th September 2025
Jennie Lee Building, The Open University

Faculty part of successful £4.9M bid to lead research skills hub for social scientists

The OU Faculty of Business and Law, PolicyWISE, and the Institute of Educational Technology have secured £4.9M from the ESRC to lead a new Research Capability Hub. Over five years, the Hub will support social scientists across sectors and career stages, using OU’s innovative tech to deliver inclusive, future-focused research skills training.

10th September 2025
James Boyce, one of the winners of the Open Business Creators Fund, smiling at the camera

Business and Law students win cash for their enterprises

Three students from the Faculty of Business and Law (FBL) have received a share of the £30,000 prize pot awarded through the Open University’s Open Business Creators Fund.

5th August 2025
business people shaking hands

Triple offer to SMEs for brighter future in global markets

BEEP is a three-pronged offer, recognising that there are three key stages for SMEs in embarking on international trade: from the curious/early-stage explorer to the serious business creator and then the growth prospector looking to scale up internationally.

23rd July 2025
AACSB logo

Business School retains its triple accreditation status

The Open University Business School (OUBS) has retained its prestigious Associate to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) international accreditation for a further six years.

27th May 2025
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Upcoming Events

May 21

CVSL Conference 2026: Voluntary Sector Leadership - what next?

Thursday, May 21, 2026 - 10:00 to 16:30

The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA

Join us at this year’s annual conference as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of CVSL. Together we’ll reflect on a decade of impact and look ahead to the next ten years, featuring insights and reflections from former CVSL directors.

Sep 2

Caring Feminisms Across Borders Conference

Wednesday, September 2, 2026 - 09:00 to Friday, September 4, 2026 - 17:00

University of Donja Gorica, Oktoih 1, Podgorica 81000, Montenegro

This academic conference hopes to draw feminist scholars, activists and communities together to consider what caring feminism across borders might mean now and for the future.