Our 50th anniversary

The OU celebrated its 50th year in 2019!

While much has changed since we were awarded our Royal Charter on 23 April 1969, our mission has stayed the same: to provide high-quality university education to all who wish to fulfil their potential, whatever their background.

Here is a showcase of our activities in Scotland in our 50th anniversary year - and highlights from the previous 50 years - shining a light on the students, staff and partners who have shaped our university. 

The Open University in Scotland's 50th Anniversary Year video
This short video reflects the OU in Scotland's celebrations and achievements in its 50th anniversary year.

Events
A variety of events took place across Scotland, from the Highlands to the Borders, marking our 50th anniversary. For a larger version of the image showing a montage of some of those events, please click on it. Visit our events webpage for details of future events in Scotland.

News  
Highlights of news coverage about the OU's 50th anniversary include: 
- Scotland on Sunday: Insight: 50 years of the Open University
- The Herald: 50 years since the Open University transformed learning
- BBC News: The Open University marks 50 years since its inception
- The Sunday Post: 50 years of Open University: “If it hadn’t been for OU I would never be doing a job like this today”

Happy 50th Birthday OU in Scotland display 
OU in Scotland students, graduates and staff took part in a Happy Birthday display, by sharing a social media post about what the OU meant to them, using #OU50Scot. For a larger version of the image showing this display, please click on it.

OU's Scottish roots  
The life and legacy of the Scottish founder of The Open University, Jennie Lee, features in this display: open a larger version of the image by clicking on it. Discover more about the Scottish roots of The Open University on Our Story webpage, in this blog about Jennie Lee, and online exhibition about Jennie Lee on the OU Digital Archive.  

OU timeline, 1969 to 2019           
This timeline image of the OU's first 50 years can be displayed in a larger version by clicking on it. Key milestones in Scotland are included and it highlights innovations, from the design of the first light plastic microscope for Science Home Experiment Kits, to the ground-breaking Blue Planet II series. 

50 years of The Open University video 
This short video celebrates 50 years of The Open University.