Dates for your diary: August – October 2025

Welcome Week
End of September

Whether you’re brand new to the OU or returning after one, two, six or more years, Open SU’s Welcome Week is a must. It’s packed with fun events, insightful talks, and plenty of ways to get involved with the wonderful community of OU students! Check the Open SU website for more information.

Welcome to STEM
September & October

The Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics will be hosting a series of welcome events throughout September and into October. These events will cover everything from examining Jennie Lee as the ‘designer’ of OU and government policy, to an ‘Ask us anything’ session with the Associate Deans, and a student community-building event as well.

The Black STEM Hub (BSH) is also hosting a welcome event to invite new students to join the community in September. In October, the BSH will also be hosting some Black History Month events. To keep up with all things Black STEM Hub, keep an eye on their website: https://stem.open.ac.uk/news/black-stem-hub

Open SU, your students union, host a wide range of events. Many are weekly or monthly and everyone is invited! Remember to keep an eye on their Welcome Week activities too. 

Saturday Morning Coffee and Chat
Saturday 9 August – 10:00-11:00

Mental Wellbeing Online Meet-Up
Sunday 10 August – 19:00-20:00

Community Drop-In
Thursday 14 August – 18:00-19:00

East of England Social
Tuesday 2 September – 19:30-20:30

OU Geological Society: Visit to Suffolk Crags (Red/Coralline)
Sunday 17 August, Suffolk Coast

OU Psychological Society - Positive Psychology: Theory and Practice Workshop
Friday 5 September, Radcliffe University of Warwick

Career together: focus time to think about your future

Tuesday 9, Monday 15 and Wednesday 17 September

Career together sessions give you protected time to polish that CV or LinkedIn profile, write that application or whatever you need to achieve your goals.

Introduction to Library Services
26 August, 9 September -19:30
Learn about the online library, how to find help and support, and how to access key services to help with your studies at the OU.

Diverse voices, alternative sources
12 August - 12:30
Learn why it is important to consider diverse perspectives in your research and discover search tips and resources which will help you find them.

Exploring Generative AI: critical skills and ethical use
13 August - 19:30
Develop a critical awareness of Generative AI within the context of academic study.

Using Library Search for your assignment
1 September, 6 October, 16 October – 19:30
Discover the online tool that helps you search across the vast majority of our online resources. Learn how to find specific resources (e.g. ebooks, ejournal articles) and how to find information on a topic.

The why and how of referencing
30 September, 13 October, 22 October – 19:30
This 1-hour interactive session will introduce you to referencing and why it is important when writing your assignments. You will also learn about how to construct references and where to go for help and sup