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Written question asked by Andrew Snowden (Conservative) on Monday, 15 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 June 2026. It was answered by Josh MacAlister (Labour) on Thursday, 25 June 2026 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Open University

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the Open University on participation in higher education among adults without traditional entry qualifications.

Answer

The department recognises the important role of the Open University (OU) in widening participation in higher education (HE), particularly among adults without traditional entry qualifications.

HE should be a gateway open to all with the ability and desire to pursue it, and our Post 16 White Paper sets out our vision for a reformed system that breaks down barriers to opportunity and supports growth.

Data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) show that in 2024/25 there were 75,700 domestic entrants to UK HE whose highest qualification on entry was Level 2 or below, or who had no formal qualifications. Of these, 9,480 (12.5%) studied at the OU, demonstrating its significant contribution to supporting non-traditional learners into HE.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
10008
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Adult education Open University
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk