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Outcome agreement between The Open University in Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council 2014-17

Outcome agreement 2014-17 2 Outcome agreement 2014-17

Contents

The Open University

AIM 1: access for people from the widest range of backgrounds

AIM 2: high quality, efficient and effective learning

AIM 3: right learning in the right place

AIM 4: a developed workforce

AIM 5: research .

AIM 6: university-industry collaboration

AIM 7: sustainable institutions

Summary of outcomes

critical assumptions

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Outcome agreement 2014-17 Outcome agreement 2014-17 3

Our missionThe Open University is open to people, places, methods and ideas. Tha an Oilthigh Fhosgailte fosgailte do dhaoine, àiteachan, dòighean agus beachdan

Our values

Inclusive

We play a unique role in society, making Higher Education open to all•We promote social justice through the development of knowledge and skills •

Innovative

We lead the learning revolution, placing innovation at the heart of our teaching and research •We continuously seek new and better ways to inspire and enable learning •We create world class research and teaching •

Responsive

We respond to the needs of individuals and employers and the communities in which they live •and work We are dedicated to supporting our students’ learning success•Our institutional strategy•

Developing strategic partnerships in Scotland


The Open University: A unique institution serving the whole of Scotland

TheOpenUniversityremainscommittedtoitspolicyofopenentry;formostofourqualificationsormodules, there are no formal entry requirements.

Theflexibilityofouruniquemodelofsupportedopenlearningallowsourstudentstoworkandstudyat the same time, and can apply the skills they learn immediately to their jobs. Nearly 70% of our students in Scotland are in full or part-time employment.

WebringtoScotlandsignificantbenefitsderivedfrombeingpartoftheUK’slargesthighereducationinstitution. The size and scale of the University allows it to offer a broader curriculum, a more diverse range of staff and students, wider access to educational innovation including our strategic partnership withtheBBC,andgreaterinvestmentinsystemswhichcanimprovethestudentexperienceandourefficiency.

Curriculum

Ourstudentscanstudysinglecredit-basedmodulesortowardsqualificationsthatarefullyintegratedwiththeScottishCreditandQualificationsFramework.Weoffermorethan250qualificationsincludingtheuniquelyflexibleprogrammeofOpenqualifications:theOpenCertHE,OpenDipHEandBA/BScOpen,whichallowstudentstotailoraqualificationaroundtheirinterestsandcareerneeds.Ourcurriculum includes specialist vocational and work-based options and has particular strengths in languages and STEM subjects.

The development of our modules is a uniquely collaborative process delivered by multi-disciplinary course teams. These teams include OU academic staff working in partnership with colleagues from other universities; educational technologists and media specialists contributing pedagogic and technicalexpertise;andexternalassessorstoensureacademicstandardsareconsistentwithotheruniversities. This model has helped to build the University’s reputation for academic rigour and quality and has since been adopted by distance teaching institutions worldwide.

Our staff

Our students have an associate lecturer to guide, advise and offer comprehensive feedback on their coursework or study advisers who are available for students to contact if they have any academic queries. The majority of our undergraduate modules have a tutorial group of twenty students. Associatelecturerscanbecontactedbyphoneoronline,andleadgrouptutorialsandseminarsmaking use of online teaching technologies to link up student groups across the country. We employ morethan550associatelecturerslivinginallpartsofScotland;manyofwhomalsoworkinbusinessand industry or for other Scottish HEIs or colleges.

The Open University in Scotland has over 100 academic, academic-related and support staff based inourofficesinEdinburgh.TheOpenUniversityhasastrongcommitmenttotheprofessionaldevelopment of its entire staff, with The OU in Scotland playing a leading role in developing resources tosupportsoundpedagogicaluseofnewtechnology.In2013/14wepresentedthenewandinnovativeOpenProfessionalAcademicDevelopment(OpenPad) programme which enables staff tobeaccreditedateachleveloftheUKProfessionalStandardsFrameworkforteachersinhighereducation. The OU has recently entered into a collaborative agreement with Robert Gordon University enablingtheirlecturerstofollowtheOpenPADschemeandgainHEAFellowshipalongsideOUcolleagues.

http://www.open.ac.uk/iet/main/academic-professional-development/open-professional-academic-development-openpad


Geographical reach

TheOpenUniversityreachesacrossthewholeofScotlandwithover15,000studentsfromShetlandto Stranraer and from Peebles to Peterhead. This gives us an unparalleled ability to undertake nationwide developments, to support the Scottish Government’s Strategic Objectives often by working in partnership, which are often undertaken with strategic partners to ensure successful delivery and thatmaximumimpactisachieved.

The Open University works closely with partners across the whole of Scotland. These partnerships include employers, trade unions, public sector bodies, institutes, private, third sector and community organisations, universities, colleges and schools. By continuing to develop such strategic partnerships,wewillenhanceourpositionastheleadingproviderofflexiblelearningandincreasethenumber of students who choose to study with us.

The Open University is the only higher education institution dedicated to supported open learning. Our students are not required to attend a campus and can study with us wherever they might live, with accesstoourworld-classonlinelibraryandsupportservices.Thisisofparticularbenefittothe13%of our students who live in remote areas of Scotland and who would otherwise have limited options to access higher education.

OUstudentsarenotjustinScotland;theUniversityhasover188,000studentsacrosstheUKandwe offer programmes in countries around the world, both taught directly from the OU and delivered through local partners. We also help to deliver development programmes in partnership with governments,NGOs,fundinginstitutionsandlocalpartners.Ourprogrammesinsub-SaharanAfricaandSouthAsiaaddressareassuchasfront-linehealth,teachereducationandEnglishlanguageteaching.ThroughitsInternationalDevelopmentFund,theScottishGovernmentsupportedtheOUindeliveringtheAccesstoTeachingSaltireScholarshipsin2011-12whichprovidedapathwayforruralwomeninMalawiintoteaching.ThisprojectlaidthegroundfortheOU’scurrentfour-year‘KeepingGirlsinSchool’programmefundedbyDFIDMalawi.

Journeys from informal to formal learning

The Open University is a mass communicator of free, informal learning both nationally and globally through its OpenLearn website, iTunesU, the OU channel on YouTube and the OpenScience Laboratory. The OpenLearn website gives the public free access to learning materials from the OU. These materials either come from our modules or are developed to support our BBC television and radioprogrammesandprovideexpertcommentontopicalissues.

For AY2012-13 the reach of these resources was as follows:

Platform Total UK visits/ audience Attributed to Scotland

OpenLearn 2,000,000 168,000

i-tunes U 204,000 17,136

OU Youtube 651,658 54,739

OU-BBC co-productions 130hoursoffactualcontentforUKwideviewing.

The OpenLearn website has provided The Open University in Scotland with opportunities to provide free learning resources to a global audience such as its highly regarded units on Gaelic culture createdwithsupportfromBBCAlbaandtwonon-accreditedonlinecoursesonself-directedsupportinScotland.AsofDecember2013,theaverageclickthroughratefromtheOpenLearnwebsitetoenquiriesforformallearningwas12.9%.


TheOpenUniversity’suniquepartnershipwiththeBBCcontinuestoflourishandevolve.Between150millionand300millionviewsandlistensofOUproducedprogrammestakeplaceeachyearintheUK.AcademicexpertsfromacrosstheUniversityareinvolvedinallOU/BBCproductions;recentexamplesincludethe2013seriesofChildofourTime,StargazingwithBrianCoxandDaraO’Briain,andPaulO’Grady’sWorkingBritain.OU/BBCco-productionsinspirepeopletotaketheirinterestfurther by visiting the OpenLearn website; viewers are encouraged to access videos, interactive games, podcasts as well as articles and booklets.

Students as stakeholders

The Open University in Scotland strongly believes that the student body, as a key stakeholder, should be represented formally on the University’s governing bodies and that its views and concerns are acknowledged. Our charter states that there must be an organisation of students of the University, andthatthePresidentofTheOpenUniversityStudents’Association(OUSA)isanexofficiomemberoftheUniversity’sCouncil.Inaddition,OUSAelectsafurthermembertoCouncilandappointssixstudentstoSenate.OUSAinScotlandhasanAssemblywiththepowertoactautonomouslyinrelation to those issues affecting students in Scotland. OU students in Scotland also elect a member toOUSA’sCentralExecutiveCommitteetorepresenttheinterestsofScottishdomiciledstudentsandto participate in institutional decision-making.

TheOpenUniversity’snewStudentChartercameintoeffectfrom1August2013;www.open.ac.uk/students/charterDevelopedbytheUniversityandtheOUSA,thischartersetsoutwhattheresponsibilitiesareandwhatstaffandstudentscanexpectofeachother.AlthoughitgiveslinkstotheOUandStudentsAssociationregulationsandpolicies,itisadeclarationofvaluesratherthanarulebook.TheCharterwillbereviewedeveryyeartoensureitreflectsourcurrentneedsandchallenges,while continuing to support the key aim of helping all our students to succeed.

www.open.ac.uk/students/charter

www.open.ac.uk/students/charter


Our Outcome Agreement process This outcome agreement has been considered and approved at an institutional level, with student consultation through The Open University’s Scottish Committee.

This outcome agreement is presented in terms of the 7 aims given by the Scottish Funding Council in its Outcome Agreement Guidance for AY 2014-15. There are also cross-cutting themes of equality and diversity, widening access, partnerships, skills development, quality assurance and enhancement which we have taken into account and embedded throughout our outcome agreement. We have used the Scottish Government’s National Performance Framework as a point of reference in the development of this outcome agreement.

SFC Aim 1: Improve access to higher education for people from the widest possible range of backgrounds

SFC Outcomes

More even patterns of participation by different groups of learners, including those from areas 1. of deprivation, from protected characteristic groups and care backgrounds

AnincreaseinthenumberofstudentsarticulatingwithadvancedstandingfromHNC/HNDto2. degree level study

Open University Outcomes

MaintainlevelsofrecruitmentofOUstudentswithaHigherNational(HN)background3.

Anincreaseinthenumberofcollegesparticipatinginourcampusbasedarticulationscheme4.

In negotiation with the SFC, a change to the method of allocating the disability premium to 5.The OU in Scotland

Anincreasetothescaleofourworkwithcarersanddevelopinginnovativemethodsof6. support

Anincreaseinthenumberofschools,includingthosethatarepartoftheSchoolstoHigher7. EducationProgramme(SHEP),involvedinourYoungApplicantinSchoolsScheme

Our strategic intention and context

The Open University has always operated an open access policy; nearly all of our undergraduate courseshavenoformalentryrequirements,eitherpriorqualificationsorexperience.TheOpenUniversityiscommittedtoextendingopportunitiesforeducationalsuccesstothosewhowouldotherwisebeexcludedfromhighereducation.Ourmodelofsupportedopenlearningisparticularlysuitableforthosewhomattendingacampuswouldpresentsignificantchallengessuchremoteness,caring responsibilities or disability.

Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds, including a high number on low incomes. In 2012/1345%ofournewundergraduatestudentslivedinhouseholdswherethetotalincomewaslessthan£16,500andafurther11%wereknowntohaveanindividualincomeoflessthan£22,000.InJuly 2013, The Open University welcomed the introduction of the Part-time Fee Grant by the Scottish


Governmentwhichisintendedtoextendthenumberofstudentseligibleforsupportwiththeirfees.TherearediscussionsongoingwiththeScottishGovernmenttorefinetheeligibilitycriteriaofthePart-time Fee Grant to ensure that students are not restricted to the amount of credit they can undertake. We are monitoring take-up of the Part-time Fee Grant and will work towards increasing the number of people on low incomes coming to study with us.

In2012/1339%ofournewundergraduatestudentswereresidentinthetwomostdeprivedSIMDquintiles. It is important to recognise however that not everyone in a deprived area is individually deprivedandequallytherearepeopleexperiencingsignificanthardshipingeographicalareasthataredeemedtheleastdeprived.OnequarterofourundergraduatesintheleastdeprivedSIMDquintilewereinreceiptofsupportfortheirfeesin2012/13(i.e.theirhouseholdincomewasbelow£16,500).OneinfiveofourstudentsliveinruralareasofScotland,veryfewofwhichareclassifiedasSIMD20orSIMD40.

Access provision

The Open University in Scotland’s widening participation strategy targets those with no previous experienceofstudyatSCQFlevel7orabove;lowincomesandthoseforthosewhomattendingacampuswouldpresentsignificantchallenges.

From 2014, the University will move from offering its Openings Programme to a new access programmewhichisdesignedtomaximisestudentsuccess,retentionandprogression.Thenewaccess programme will provide highly supported accredited modules at SCQF level 6 that will be provided free to students and facilitate the transition to HE level study. Whilst The OU in Scotland aims to maintain the number of student FTEs on access modules, it is assumed that at SCQF level 6, they will not be fundable by the Scottish Funding Council.

The Open University in Scotland’s widening participation strategy includes outreach activity that is enhanced by working with partners across the country and the provision of supported pathways into degree level study that are appropriate to the individual learner. Our partners include community-based organisations, colleges, trade unions and employers.

We are actively developing new informal curriculum in the form of open educational resources to support our widening access work.

Students with additional needs

The Open University in Scotland offers a wide range of support services and facilities to enable learners with additional needs to succeed in their studies including course materials in alternative formats,specialarrangementsfortutorialsandexaminationsincludinghomeexaminationswhereappropriate and advice about funding.

In2012/13,14%ofourtotalstudentpopulationinScotlandidentifiedthemselvesashavingadisability,includingphysicalandmentalhealthconditionsandspecificlearningdifficultiessuchasdyslexia.Thisrepresentsa77%increaseovertwoyears,takingournumbersofdisabledstudentstoover 2,000 in 2012-13. Many of our disabled students have problems with mobility.

The disability premium received by The OU in Scotland from the Scottish Funding Council is based on a formulaic allocation by FTE rather than student headcount. Most of our disabled students choose to study less than 120 credits a year yet each of them require an individual assessment and support arrangements. To enable us to provide optimal support to our disabled students we recommend that the SFC allocates the disability premium to The OU in Scotland by headcount.


Offender learning

TheOpenUniversityhasprovidedmodulestostudentsinprisonsince1972.Throughourpartnership with the Scottish Prison Service we are able to facilitate access to higher education for those prisoners who have not previously had the opportunity to study at this level and who have demonstrated their potential and motivation. The Open University in Scotland is the only Scottish HEI representedontheHigherEducationAccessBoard(HEAB)whichcoordinatesaccessbyoffenderstohighereducationprovision.In2013-14wehave40studentsin9prisonsinScotland(coveringallsecurity categories).

Studying in prison allows students to gain knowledge and skills which can be invaluable when seeking employment. In turn, this can reduce the chance of reoffending, as well as reduce the impact of crime onwidersociety.Arecentstudyof3,000prisonerswhohadaccesstostudymaterialshasfoundthatthereoffendingratewasjust19%withinayear.Participationindistancelearningwasfoundtobethebest reduction method1.Over9%ofOUstudentscontinuetheirOUstudieswhileoutonlicence.

Carers

The Open University’s model of supported open learning is particularly suitable for carers who can studyfromhomeandfittheirlearningaroundtheircaringcommitments.Wealsocanmakespecialexamarrangementsforcarerswhowouldfinddifficultyinattendinganexamcentre.

We are increasing our partnership work with organisations supporting carers such as the Scottish YoungCarersServicesAlliance(SYCSA),CarersTrustScotland(formerlyknownasThePrincessRoyal Trust for Carers) and local Carers Centres.

We are also increasing our understanding of the needs of carers in our student population, and developing innovative methods of support such as developing customised open educational resources and the provision of study buddies.

Caring for Carers initiative: case study

TheOUinScotland’sCaringforCarersinitiativehasalreadybeentrialledinDumfriesandGalloway,toresoundingsuccess.ThreecarersinDumfriesembarkedontheCaringforCarersProjecttogether.Each,withthe support of their local carers centre, began by undertaking an introductory Openings course followed by a summercoursestudyingtheOU’sReflectionToolkitonlinemodule.AllthreegainedconfidencefromsuccessfullycompletingOpeningsandtheReflectionToolkit;twoarenowpursuingfurthercoursesandtraining.

“I think that you definitely lose confidence if you have to give up a career, for whatever reason. You lose your sense of identity and worth. Being a carer can be isolating too. Not working also has a huge impact financially. As time goes on, your self-esteem can erode and you can start to feel that there are no other opportunities available. This course proved that this is not the case.”Lesley Bryce, Dumfries

1. Transforming Rehabilitation: a summary of evidence on reducing reoffending, Ministry of Justice 2013


The Open University is now able to identify which of our students are carers; as with other areas of equality monitoring, we ask students to self-declare when they register to study with us. This information will then be used to measure access and success and to provide students with relevant information and resources.

We do not currently ask our students to self-declare whether they are care leavers.

Age

In2012/13over11%ofourundergraduateentrantswereagedunder21.Weknowthatsomeyoungpeople are actively choosing to study with the OU to pursue their chosen career at the same time, sotheygraduatewithworkexperience.However,tofullyunderstandthistrendandtoensurewemeet the needs of our younger students, we are currently undertaking qualitative research on the motivationsofouryoungstudents.Ouroldestgraduatein2012/2013wasaged78.ThisrangeofagesreflectstheplaceofTheOpenUniversityinbeingabletodeliverlifelonglearningforScotland.

Table: Age at registration start of all OU students, 2012-13 in FTEs

Transgender students

The Open University does not intend to introduce monitoring for gender identity. We have a legal duty to protect the privacy of individuals who have fully transitioned and we will not retain any records relating to gender change. The University’s approach to understanding and addressing transgender equality is to rely on qualitative information derived from engagement and research. The University has been working to improve its policy and guidance for transgender students and staff, with the document‘TransgenderStudents:PolicyandGuidance’scheduledtobepublishedinFebruary2014.


Articulation from colleges

The Open University in Scotland has active partnerships with most of the Scottish Colleges whereby studentswithanHNCorHNDgettheappropriatecredittransferintoourBAorBSc(Open)withorwithout honours. We have also developed pathways and credit transfer arrangements for students withrelevantHNQstoprogresstospecifiedOUnameddegrees.Asthecollegemergerstakeeffect,ourarticulationandprogressionagreementsarebeingrenewedandtheremainingcolleges(otherthanUHIcolleges)arebeingincorporated,resultingin15partnercollegesplusSRUCover12regions. Partnership agreements are reviewed on an annual basis.

Ourparttimestudentsoftenfollowlongandcomplexlearnerjourneys.Onaverage,studentstakesevenyearstomovefromHNqualificationsintofurtherstudywiththeOU.Manyareworkingfulltimeandenjoytheflexibilityofourpoliciesoncredittransferandopenaccessforchoosingdifferentroutesthroughqualifications.

In addition to the articulation and progression agreements we have signed with colleges, we are seeking to embed the routes available to OU study in college processes by promoting The OU in Scotland’s College Routes website, developing information sessions with curriculum staff and students groups, inclusion of the OU route in college promotional material and attendance at college HE progression events. Over the three-year period of this outcome agreement, we will be developing ouruseofopeneducationalonlineresourceswithcollegestoenhanceexistingcurriculumandtoprepare students for OU study.

The OU in Scotland welcomed the 60 additional places provided by the SFC in 2013-14 for articulationandwillreportonprogresstowardsthefulfilmentoftheseplacesinour2013-14self-evaluation report.

Oursuccessfulcampus-basedpilotmodelofpartnershipwithFifeCollegewasextendedtothreefurthercollegesin2012-13,withNorthEastScotland,AyrshireandWestLothianCollegesjoiningin2013-14.ThisuniquemodelprovidesstudentswhohavecompletedtheirHND,theopportunitytocontinue to use the college as the study base for their OU degree. For many students, being based at their college is the only option available to them to continue studying due to geographical constraints, caring responsibilities, their employment or disability. The college base also represents a ‘safe’ and supportive environment for learning. Evaluation of the Fife College pilot showed very positive academicresultsandcompletionrates.Weaimtocontinuetodevelopandexpandthecollegecampus-based model over the three-year period of this outcome agreement, subject to University reviewandapprovalin2014-15.

Campus-based model of partnership with colleges: case study

“I adjusted more quickly than expected. I doubt I would have completed the year however had I not been college based with the support of peers and an excellent tutor.”Year 2 campus-based OU student, Fife College

http://www.openuniversity.co.uk/collegeroutes


WehaveestablishedOULearningSpacesatDumfriesandGalloway,NewCollegeLanarkshire,Fife, West College Scotland and South Lanarkshire Colleges with the help of SFC capital investment fundinginthefirstfourcases.LearningSpacesgiveOUstudentsinthecollegecatchmentareaaccess to IT, library, study and other social facilities. We will review and evaluate the use of the Learning Spaces during the period of this outcome agreement.

Working with schools

OurYoungApplicantsinSchoolsScheme(YASS)allowsstudentsinthefinalyearofsecondaryschooltoexperiencehighereducationlevelstudyinschoolalongsidetheirothersubjectsandenhance their career prospects. Students can choose from a range of high quality modules at SCQF Level7,givingthemopportunitytobroadentheirknowledgeoftheirHigherandAdvancedHighersubjects or to try a topic which is not available in school.

Experienceofindependent,degreelevelstudyandaccesstoallOUstudentfacilities,includingpersonal tutors and our renowned online library, helps to prepare pupils for the transition to university orcollege.Extrastudycanhelpschool-leavers’UCASapplicationstostandoutandtheycanalsousethecredittheygaintowardsaqualificationwiththeOU.

SinceitsintroductioninScotlandasapilotwithHighlandCouncilin2007/08,YASShasgrownsothatover100schoolsthroughoutScotlandandnearly600pupilswereinvolvedinthe2012/13schoolyear.YASShasprovedtobeaveryattractiveadditiontomanyschools,particularlysmallerones,thoseinremoteareasandwithlimitednumbersstayingontoS6,thatencounterdifficultiesinproviding breadth of choice for their pupils.

TheOUinScotlandhaswelcomedthesupportoftheScottishFundingCounciltoextendYASSandtoincreaseuseoftheschemeinSHEPschools.AsaresultoftheYASS+Project,weareworkingtowardsatargetof25SHEPschoolsparticipatinginYASSby2014.ChangestotheUniversity’scurriculum in 2014, particularly a reduction in the number of short modules, will make the achievement ofthistargetmorechallenging.TheOUinScotlandwillcontinuetoexploreanumberofoptionstomaintain its engagement with schools.

TheYASS+ProjecthasenabledtheOUtoprovideaninterimsolutionforschoolpupilstofundstudyingOUmodulesbutalongtermsolutionisstillbeingsoughttoenableYASSstudentstoreceivefinancialsupporttowardsthecostsoftheirmodulefees.

MeasuresProportion of undergraduate entrants by protected characteristics (excluding carers)The diversity of our student population for the most part mirrors that of the Scottish population. In support of core activities such as widening access we will continue to monitor entrants and all other studentdemographicprofilesbyage,SIMD,disability,part-timefeegrant,remoteness,ethnicityandgenderandotherappropriateprotectedcharacteristics.Analysisofthisinformationhelpsustoevaluate our impact and to learn more about successful ways to raise attainment.

Using the Scottish Government definition of SIMD Confirmed Target

Measure 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14FTEproportionfromSIMD20 16.5% 17.3% 19.2%

Table: The FTE proportion of Scottish –domiciled undergraduate entrants from the 20% most deprived postcodes


Wewillreportontheachievementofthe19.2%targetaboveinour2013-14self-evaluationreport.We are already aware that this target is proving challenging due in part to changes in the University’s curriculum, the introduction of the Part-time Fee Grant in 2013 and current restrictions to the amount of credit for which a student on low income is eligible to receive support.

Using the new SFC definition of SIMD Target


FTEproportionfromSIMD40 38.1% 38.1% 38.1%

Table: The FTE proportion of Scottish –domiciled undergraduate entrants from the 20% and 40% most deprived postcodes

FTE group %

Measure 2011/12 2012/13 2011/12 2012/13 Target 2014/15

Female 1012.9 1180.0 60.0% 59.8% 59%

Male 676.4 794.5 40.0% 40.2% 41%

21 and over 1510.2 1742.5 89.4% 88.3% 90%

Under 21 179.1 232.0 10.6% 11.7% 10%

Disabilitydeclared 119.3 280.7 7.1% 14.2% 14%

None known 1570.0 1693.8 92.9% 85.8% 86%

BME 69.6 87.3 4.1% 4.4% 4.5%

Unknown 39.0 37.7 2.3% 1.9%

White 1580.7 1849.5 93.6% 93.7% 94%

The number and proportion of students articulating to The OU in ScotlandWe aim to increase the number of undergraduate credit transfer claims by students with a Higher Nationalpreviouseducationalqualification(PEQ)frompartnercolleges.TheOUinScotlandalsoreceives a number of credit transfer claims from students with an HN PEQ from colleges in Scotland with whom we do not have a partnership agreement.

Open University students are not required to declare an award intention at the start of their study – or indeed up until the point of claiming an award. It is also possible for students to change their award intention at any time. Similarly, as the OU operates an open access policy it is not necessary forstudentstoclaimtransferredcreditbeforetheystarttheirstudies.Analysisofcredittransferapplicationsmadein2010/11hasshownthatonaveragecredittransferapplicationsweremadetwoyearsafterthestudentstartedtheirfirstOUmodule.

Confirmed Interim Target

Measure 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17Number of undergraduate credit transfer claims from partner colleges

232 253 253 313 323 323 323

Table: Number of undergraduate credit transfer claims by students with a Higher National previous educational qualification (PEQ), irrespective of year of entry


ArticulationfromcollegesinScotlandtoTheOpenUniversityisdefinedintermsofastudent’shighestlevelofpreviouseducationalqualificationonentrytoTheOpenUniversity(PEQ)andthenumberofSCQFcreditsthattheyhavetransferred.TheOUandSFChaveagreedthefollowingdefinitions:

Fullcredittransfer:studenthasanHNCPEQandhastransferredatleast120SCQFcredits,or•hasanHNDPEQandhastransferredatleast240credits.

Partialcredittransfer:studenthasanHNCPEQandhastransferred1–119creditsforthe•HNC,orhasanHNDPEQandhastransferred1–239credits.

Credittransfer(levelunknown):studenthasanHNqualificationandhastransferred120-239•creditsbutitisnotknownwhethertheyhaveanHNcertificateoranHNdiploma.

Historically, students have been able to delay credit transfer until the point at which they wish to claim theirdegreequalification.Thismeansthatanysnapshotofarticulationfigurestakenatanearlierpointwillappearartificiallylow.Wecreateasnapshotofarticulationnumbersatthesamepointeachyearin order to gauge the general trend.

Confirmed Target

Headcount registered at start 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

Full articulation 102 85 60

Partial articulation 85 67 87

Articulation (extentunknown)

3 0 1

Anyarticulationtype 190 152 148 148 148 148 148

No credit transfer requested on entry

718 685 702 702 702 702 702

Proportion of total registrations at start 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

Full articulation 11.2% 10.2% 7.1%

Partial articulation 9.4% 8.0% 10.2%

Articulation(extentunknown)

0.3% 0.0% 0.1%

Anyarticulationtype 20.9% 18.2% 17.4% 17.4% 17.4% 17.4% 17.4%


79.1% 81.8% 82.6% 82.6% 82.6% 82.6% 82.6%

Table: OU new students with an HN background

Number of colleges participating in The OU in Scotland’s campus-based articulation scheme

2011/2 2012/13 2013/14 Target: 2014/15

College(s) 1 4 4 6


Number of schools including participating in the Young Applicants in Schools Scheme


Measure 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15Number of SHEP schools 7 5 14 25

Number of schools 78 106 92 95

Number of students registered on the Young Applicants in Schools Scheme


Measure 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15NumberofYASSstudents 496 577 550 550


SFC Aim 2: High quality, efficient and effective learning – learner journeys are short, efficient and effective as possible and learners experience the highest quality of learning and teaching and achieve successful outcomes

SFC Outcomes

Animprovementintheretentionandsuccessratesoflearners.8.

Greaterflexibilityinentryandexitpoints,whereappropriate,toreducepotentialinefficiencies9.inthelearnerjourneywherethisisofbenefittothelearner.

Quality of learning provision and learner outcomes assured and enhanced. 10.

OU Outcomes

Expansionofthe11. back on course Scotland service for full time undergraduate students who have withdrawn from higher education before completing their studies.


In2013,TheOpenUniversityinScotlandwasrankedfirstforoverallsatisfactionbytheNationalStudentSurveyfortheeighthconsecutiveyear:93%ofOUstudentsinScotlanddeclaredthemselvessatisfiedwiththequalityoftheirstudyexperience.

TheOpenUniversity,atUKlevel,ischangingitssupportstructurefromFebruary2014tocreateStudentSupportTeamswhichwillbringacademicandsupportstaff(thelattertraditionallybasedin13regionsandnationsacrosstheUK)intocurriculum-basedratherthangeographically-basedteams.Our aim is to improve student retention, progression and satisfaction by integrating academic and non-academic support. The new structure is designed to provide a continuity of support for students throughouttheirstudyexperience.InScotland,weshallbeworkingwithfacultiesandStudentServicescolleaguestoensurethatourstudentsbenefitfromthisnewapproachwhilecontinuingtoreceivesupport,information,adviceandguidance(bothproactiveandreactive)whichrecognisesthedifferentcontextfromwhichtheycometoOUstudyandaddressestheirdistinctcharacteristicsandneeds.

TheOUinScotlandcontinuestobeabletoofferauniquelevelofflexibilitytostudentsthroughitsmodulardeliverymodel.Howeverretentionisacomplexissuesinceformanystudentssuccessis measured by progression to other higher education providers or because their professional development requirements are met by the successful completion of an individual module. Part-time learner journeys are often non-linear and cannot be measured or monitored in the same way as full-time campus-based study.

Wehaveundertakensignificantstatisticalmodellingworkinordertounderstandbettertheimpactofarange of student characteristics and behaviours on students’ likely completion and progression rates. Thisworkhasdemonstratedthenegativeimpactonmodulecompletionfornewundergraduatesof:lowpreviouseducationalqualifications;unemployment;lowincome(i.e.beingonbenefitsandinreceipt of a fee waiver when studying a longer module); overlap of study with holiday periods; and age (i.e.beingintheyoungestoroldestagegroups).Bycontrast,studentswithcredittransferandthosesponsored by their employers are more likely to be retained at the module level.


AkeyissueforusisthehighvolumesofstudentsonlowincometakingOUmodules.Overthepastfiveyears,studentsonlowincomeshavegrownconsiderablyasaproportionofourintake.Withsignificantlylowercompletionrates,thisgroupplacesadownwardpressureonouroverallrateand presents an increasing challenge for teaching and support staff. The OU in Scotland Retention ActionGrouphascommissionedquantitativeandqualitativeresearch,sponsoredmodule-specificinterventions by associate lecturers, and designed pro-active interventions for implementation by learner support staff, including proactive learner support, working with associate lecturers, module-specificinterventionsandresearch.

The OU in Scotland aims to improve the completion rate on modules undertaken by both new and continuing students. We will continue to monitor the progression and completion rates of our students byage,SIMD,disability,part-timefeegrant,levelofstudy,remoteness,ethnicityandgenderandotherappropriateprotectedcharacteristics.Analysisofthisinformationhelpsustoevaluatetheimpact of our retention work and to implement appropriate actions.

TheOpenUniversity,asawhole,hasprioritisedtheprovisionofitsqualificationframework,primarilyduetothesignificantchangestofundingarrangementsacrossthenationsoftheUnitedKingdombutalsowiththeaimofimprovingtheproportionofstudentscompletingtheirqualification.Completionrates have previously been presented at modular level only; work on data to indicate overall completionratesatqualificationlevelstartsinearly2014.

TheOUinScotland’sretentionworkhasrecentlybeenaugmentedwiththedevelopmentofexpertiseinLearningAnalytics.InJuly2013TheOUinScotlandtooktheleadinorganisinganinteractiveeventinEdinburgh which brought together analysts, curriculum designers and academics from universities across theUKtoconsiderwaysofworkingwithdatathatcanmakearealdifferencetolearningandteaching.

Table: Completion rate of modules with results released by Oct 13. All data is in FTEs.


back on course Scotland

The back on course Scotland initiative demonstrates our commitment to retention and our role as a national provider.

It was established in response to concern about the number of students leaving higher education before reaching their study goals. It is not intended as a substitute for the retention activities of individuals

HEIs but to provide further support once the students has left their institution and to feedback in ways that can help retention strategies within the sector. The service is delivered by The Open University in Scotland, funded by the Scottish Funding Council and is currently working with seven Scottish universitypartners(RobertGordon,UWS,QMU,Napier,Abertay,GCUandUHI)butisopentoreceive calls from early leavers from all Scottish universities.

Thetwocorestrandsoftheprojectare:

Afree,impartialadviceandguidanceserviceforfull-timeundergraduatestudentswhohave•withdrawn from higher education before completing their studies. Whatever their circumstances, earlyleaversareofferedtheopportunitytoreflectandfocusontheirnextstepseitherbackintouniversity or other positive outcomes such as college, training or employment.

Research into the motivations, needs and characteristics of early leavers in order to determine •the impact of current retention policies and activities in the seven participating HEIs. The overarchingaimofthisresearchistosharethefindingswiththewholeScottishhighereducationsector and help provide a more robust and practical approach to retention activities.

The Scottish Funding Council, in discussion with the back on course Scotland Steering Group, is givingthoughttotheexpansionoftheearlyleavereligibility(e.g.toincludepart-timestudy)andtotheinvolvementofallScottishHEIs.AdecisionwillneedtobemaderegardingthefundingofthebackoncourseservicebeyondJuly2015.

MeasuresCompletion rate of modules undertaken by new and continuing students

Measure Target

All data in FTEs. 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2014/15Modulecompletionrate:newstudents 58.4% 58.3% 57.7% 59.5% 60%

Modulecompletionrate:continuingstudents 69.2% 68.7% 68.3% 66.8% 70%

Table: Completion rate of modules undertaken by new and continuing students with results released by Oct 13.

Students satisfied with the overall quality of their course of study in the National Student Survey

Measure Target

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014ProportionofOUstudentssatisfiedwithoverallqualityoftheirstudyexperienceintheNationalStudents Survey

93% 93% 94% 93% 93%


Number of early leavers notified to The Open University for the back on course Scotland service

Measure Confirmed Interim Target

2012/13 2013/14 2014/15

Number of records passed to back on course Scotland service

975 1075 2,000

Proactive attempt at contact 100% 100% 100%

% of early leavers the service has successfully interacted with

37.3% 35.1% 38%

% of those whose records have been passed to back on course Scotland going on to full guidance stage

3.1% 5.8% 7%


SFC Aim 3: Right learning in the right place – secure coherent provision of higher education in Scotland in line with SFC’s statutory obligation

SFC Outcomes

Universities are responsive to current and future skill requirements of employers 12.

Moretargetedrecruitmenttocoursesofnationalandregionaleconomicsignificance13.

Implementation of the National Gaelic Language Plan 14.

OU Outcomes

To facilitate best practice in open online education in Scotland through the development of a 15.peer support network, an online hub and awareness raising activities


ThebreadthandflexibilityofOUprovisionplaysavitalroleinenablingadultlearnersinScotlandto achieve personal and professional learning goals. Many individuals make use of OU modular provision to provide a stepping-stone to study with other providers; many more are able to complete qualificationswiththeOUthattheystartedatotherinstitutions.

A responsive curriculumTheUniversitydelivers22work-basedqualificationsdesignedanddevelopedincollaborationwithemployers, to provide the intermediate technical and professional skills that employers want. To study fortheseparticularqualificationsstudentsmustbeworkingorvolunteeringinaworksettinggainingaqualification,whichisrelatedtotheirareaofwork.ThepedagogyandsupportstructuresunderpinningthesequalificationsmeanthattheyareaccessibletostudentsworkinginbothSMEsandlargeorganisations, irrespective of location.

The University takes advantage of its size and reach to develop vocational and work-based curriculum in partnership with sector organisations.

AstheprovisionofforeignlanguagesatHEleveldecreasesacrossScotland,TheOUhasagrowingdemand for our modules in French, German, Spanish, Welsh and Mandarin. The OU in Scotland has established a partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University to provide OU language modules for itspostgraduatestudentstoenhancetheirqualification.TheOpenUniversitydoesnotofferGaeliclanguageprovisionbutinreferencetotheNationalGaelicLanguagePlan(NGLP)2012-17,wehavedeveloped GaelicinmodernScotland:afreeonlinelearningresource in both English and Gaelic to raise awareness of Gaelic and to encourage interest in learning the language.

STEM

OUinScotlandenrolmentsinScience,Technology,EngineeringandMathematics(STEM)subjectshavegrownconsiderablyinthepastfewyearsandnowstandatwellover2,000FTEs.In2012/13,STEMstudentscomprisedoverone-thirdofthetotalstudentcohortandwere43%femaleand57%male.

http://www.open.ac.uk/openlearn/gaelic


Open Educational Practices

TheOpenUniversityisaworldleaderinthedevelopmentofopeneducationalresources(OERs).Buildingonthisexpertiseinthewideruniversity,weareworkingwithpartnersacrossScotlandtouseOERseffectivelyindifferentcontextssuchasworkplaceandcommunitysettings,andtoexplorenewways of providing the right learning in the right place.

In 2014, The Open University in Scotland will be leading on a project to facilitate best practice in open education through the development of a peer support network, an online hub and awareness raising activities. There will be a formal group of partners steering this project consisting of the Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Strathclyde and the Highlands & Islands however the project is intended to be ofbenefitforthewholeofthetertiaryeducationsectorinScotlandandaimstoengagewithabroadrange of stakeholders across the country.

FutureLearn,aprivatecompanywhollyownedbyTheOpenUniversity,launcheditsfirstMOOCsin2013.AmongstitspartnersaretheUniversitiesofEdinburgh,GlasgowandStrathclyde,aswellasinstitutions such as the British Council, the British Library and the British Museum. Futurelearn will increaseaccesstohighereducationforstudentsintheUKandaroundtheworldbyofferingadiverserange of free, high quality, online courses through a single website.

MeasuresProportion of students on STEM modules

FTE group %

STEM 2011/12 2012/13 2011/12 2012/13Target

2016/17

N 1095.0 1260.7 64.8% 63.8% 60%

Y 594.3 713.8 35.2% 36.2% 40%

Open educational resources of national economic or social significance

Open educational resources 2014

Rural Entrepreneurship Afreeonlineresourceintendedforanyoneinterestedinstartingtheirown business in rural Scotland.

Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games OU-BBC programmes and online resources to complement the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow

CaringforCarers(OER4Carers) IncollaborationwithScottishYoungCarersServicesAlliance,CarersLinkandindividualcarerscentreswithintheCarersTrust(Scotland)network, the development of a bespoke online learning tool for carers,modelledontheOU’sReflectionToolkit.

SelfDirectedSupport With Scottish Government funding, the development of up to 20 hours of online learning and advice resources on self-directed supportspecificallyforchildrenandfamilies.

Energy advice IncollaborationwithSCARF,acharitybasedintheNorth-EastofScotland, online energy advisory materials for social housing tenants

https://www.futurelearn.com/

http://www.open.edu/openlearn/money-management/rural-entrepreneurship-scotland/content-section-0


SFC Aim 4: A developed workforce – learners who have the skills, knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit to get a job and progress their career; institutions that respond to the skills needs of the economy locally and nationally

SFC Outcomes

Graduates are well prepared for work and can utilise their skills effectively in the increasingly 16. international labour market.

OU Outcomes

Maintain levels of employer sponsorship in a period of austerity17.

Increased participation in workplace learning18.

Improved understanding of the synergies between work and learning19.


With nearly 70% of our students in work, The Open University in Scotland occupies a unique place in terms of developing the Scottish workforce.

In2012/13,over1,600studentsweresponsoredtostudywithusbyover300organisationsfromShetlandtothe Borders. Many more students pay their course fees and are subsequently reimbursed by their employers.

WhileTheOpenUniversitydeliversspecialistwork-basedqualifications,allourmodulesandqualificationsarewrittenforadultlearnerswiththeunderstandingthatlearnersbringexistingskillsandexperiencetotheirstudies.WorkacrosstheUniversityisongoingtoembedthedevelopmentofemployability skills and attributes throughout the curriculum offer.

There are strong links between The OU in Scotland’s employability and work-based learning activities. Though we have chosen to report separately here on employability, work-based learning, entrepreneurshipandinternships,thereissignificantoverlapbetweentheseareasthatbothinformsand enhances this core part of our work in Scotland.

Through a strategic partnership with the STUC and Scottish Union Learning, The OU in Scotland has built on our community outreach model to offer group-based higher education in the workplace in partnership with a number of unions. Typically the participants are non-traditional learners. We offer short modules, non-accredited workshop based courses and in a smaller number of instances structuredpathwaysthroughtodegreesorintermediatequalifications.Throughthisworkwehavedevelopedapowerfultri-partitemodelofemployer/union/universitypartnership.

TheOUinScotlandprovidessuchnon-accreditedworkshopsacrossarangeofdifferentcontexts.Throughout 2013, we offered a highly successful programme of Living well with dementia workshops to employers such as Health and Social Care departments within local councils and the NHS. This programmewillcontinueovertheperiodofthisoutcomeagreementwithaviewtoextendingtherange of employers.

We work in partnership with the Scottish Government to deliver their priorities in health and social care e.g. providing educational support for those who work with and care for people on the autism spectrum and non-accredited learning on self-directed support.


The OU in Scotland has recently established a working group looking at opportunities where the OU can respond to particular skills needs of teachers in Scotland; we are particular focusing on theteachingofscienceinprimaryschools;trainingonliteracydifficultiesanddyslexia,andactionresearch projects involving teachers on their teaching practice.

Employability

TheOpenUniversityunderstandsstudentemployabilityas‘Asetofcapabilitiesandachievementsthat support students in developing their careers, raising their aspirations and enhancing their contribution to society’. We recognise the diversity of our student body and its distinctiveness within the Scottish sector. In particular, our approach to employability has a unique focus on supporting the ‘employability of the employed’, enhancing opportunities for students to develop and apply their skills and learning to develop within their current careers, to change career, or to return to the labour market.FiguresfromarecentUniversity-widestudentprofileanalysisoncareermotivation2 indicate that 46.6% of respondents thought their OU study would help them to change to a new career area; 43.15%thoughtitwouldhelpthemtodeveloporprogressintheircurrentcareerand5.2%thoughtitwouldhelpthemtomoveintoemploymentforthefirsttime.

The University’s Student Employability Policy Statement describes our approach to employability throughthreeareasofactivity:

Orientation – helping enquirers and students choose and understand study options in the OU •which are relevant to their study and career goals

SkillsDevelopment–enhancingarangeofemployabilityskillsasanintegralpartofallOU•qualifications

Articulation–educatingandempoweringstudentstobeabletoarticulatetheirskillsandthe•benefitofstudytoemployersandthewidercommunity

The OU introduced an employability policy in 2012 and is currently working to implement and build on this. Investment has been made in a three year university-wide Careers and Employability ProjecttodesignahighqualityextendedCareersAdvisoryService,embedPersonalDevelopmentPlanninginthestudentlearningexperience,develop‘badging’forOpenLearnresourcesthatsupport employability skills development, and identify OU measures for student employability and organisational performance in terms of study and service provision. Each faculty has an employability strategy,withanOU-wideemployabilitystrategyscheduledtobedeliveredbyDecember2014.

Work-based learning

In addition to our curriculum offer, The OU in Scotland is also focused on the development of innovative models for facilitating learning in the workplace that meet the needs of diverse student groups, ensuring that our students can make a meaningful impact on the Scottish economy and society.

Wearetakingforwardarangeofwork-basedinitiativesaroundsevenmainthemes:

Developingacurriculumthatworks:foremployees;foremployers;forsectors;forScottishsociety•

Makingexperiencecounti.e.accreditingwork-basedlearning•

Strengthening learning communities•

Skills utilisation•

Challenging policy and practice•

2.Studentprofiledataanalysis,January2014.Totalnumberofresponses–41,229

http://www.open.ac.uk/students/charter/sites/www.open.ac.uk.students.charter/files/files/ecms/web-content/student-employability.pdf

http://www2.open.ac.uk/students/careers


Developingapproachestopartnershipandengagement:withcolleges;withemployers;withunions•

Regional coherence•

Widening access, partnership and sustainability are additional crosscutting themes, which inform all this activity. Through multiple initiatives across the public and private sectors, we are increasing the range of opportunities for participation in workplace learning and systematically collecting evidence of good practice.

Over the past three years The OU in Scotland has grown its work-based learning by increasing the number of unions we work with, the number of sectors we work with and the number of employers that we are actively engaged with.

In2012/13TheOUestablishedaprovisionalbaselineforitswork-basedlearningdeliveryinScotlandandwiththehelpoftheQAAWBLforum,establishedaworkinggroupcomprisingrepresentativesfrom across the sector, to report on a WBL baseline for Scottish higher education. The group’s report is due to be published in early 2014.


ThroughaprojectfundedbytheScottishFundingCouncilandworkingwiththeOU’sKnowledgeMedia Institute, The OU in Scotland has produced an online Work and Learning Evidence Hub for anyone involved managing and developing learning in the workplace. The hub encourages evidence sharing around the themes of work-based learning and enables users to discuss and evaluate ideas, issues and good practice.

SFC strategic initiative funding has enabled The OU in Scotland to improve a sectoral understanding ofwork-basedlearningandtoundertakeabroadrangeofwork-basedinitiatives.Aswegoforwardwiththeaimofexpandingtherangeofourwork-basedlearninginScotland,TheOUinScotlandisseeking a more sustainable funding solution that would enable work-based learning to be embedded as core institutional activity.

Entrepreneurship

The Open University offers a range of taught postgraduate courses and research degrees in entrepreneurship and innovation.

The OU in Scotland has recently developed Rural entrepreneurship – an open educational resource freely available for anyone interested in starting their own business in a rural or remote environment. We intend to promote this resource via gateway organisations such as Scottish Enterprise and Highlands & Islands Enterprise with the OU offering enhanced wraparound support and pathways into relevant formal study.

Third Sector Internships Scotland scheme

The Open University in Scotland has led the way in establishing the Third Sector Internships Scotland scheme with Queen Margaret University and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations. Third Sector Internships Scotland offers students from all Scottish universities regardless of their economic circumstances the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to charities, social enterprises andvoluntaryorganisationsthroughcompletingpaid,supportedinternships.Itisauniqueexampleof HEIs working in partnership with each other and with third sector groups to enhance student employability, creating nationwide impact and local level change. The internships take place at organisationsbasedacrossScotland,fromDumfriestoDingwall,benefittingnotjustthestudentsandthe organisations, but communities across the country. To date3, over 6,400 applications have been received from students and 271 internships have been started.

Funding for the Internships scheme in its current form ends in September 2014. The uptake and positive feedback from both interns and employers on the scheme demonstrates an appetite for the continuationofaschemewhichmightexpandbeyondthethirdsector.

MeasuresPercentage of Scottish-domiciled graduates entering positive destinationsSFCistoadviseTheOUinScotlandonthedefinitionofpositivedestinations.

Work-based learningTheexpansionofTheOUinScotland’srangeofwork-basedlearningactivityinScotlandoverthethree-year period of this outcome agreement.

3. Third Sector Internships Scotland Data Overview 2010-13, Martha Caddell and Hannah Jones, November 2013, www.3rdsectorintern.org.uk

http://workandlearning.evidence-hub.net/


http://www.3rdsectorintern.org.uk/




SFC Aim 5: A research base that is internationally competitive and improving its reputation and standing in the world

SFC Outcomes

Animprovementinthesector’sperformanceinREF2014comparedwithRAE200820.

EnhancedresearchandKEcollaboration21.

AnincreaseinthenumberofinstitutionsanddepartmentssecuringAthenaSwanawards22.

OU Outcomes

GreaterawarenessofTheOpenUniversity’sresearch,scholarshipandknowledgeexchange23. in Scotland

RecognitionofTheOpenUniversityinScotland’scontributiontoknowledgeexchange24. through its delivery of informal learning


ResearchattheOUcurrentlyranksinthetopthirdofUKuniversities.TheOUsubmitteditsresearchtotheResearchExcellenceFramework(REF)2014attheendof2013withthetargetthatthemajorityofsubmissionswillbeassessedasinternationallyexcellentorworld-leading.

The Open University has two collaborative research centres in Scotland with the University of Edinburgh(Innogen)andtheUniversityofStirling(the Institute for Social Marketing). It also has over 35researchpartnershipswithotherScottishuniversities.

ScotlandbenefitsfromthequalityandimpactofthewiderOpenUniversity’sresearch;recentexamplesofmaterialimpactofourresearchincludeinnovationsinfloodplainmanagement,empowering people through intuitive technology, developing a new theory of software engineering andimprovingdecision-makinginfinancialenvironments.TheOUinScotlandhasmoreworktodoincommunicating this institutional activity to key stakeholders in Scotland.

Incomefromresearchgrantsandcontractsincreasedby£0.9millionor7%to£14.7millionin2012/13,duetoincreasedvalueofworkfundedfromResearchCouncilsandothersources.Themajority of The Open University’s research funding is from HEFCE with the SFC contributing funding towardsknowledgeexchange.

The OU is strongly committed to the advancement and promotion of the careers of women in STEM subjectareas.WeareproudtohavegainedtheAthenaSWANBronzeAwardinApril2013andhavebeen working towards submissions for departmental silver awards in 2013.

http://www.innogen.ac.uk/

http://www.stir.ac.uk/management/about/social-marketing/


Reach

The Open University offers research degrees on a full-time and part-time basis with over 1,000 postgraduate research students currently registered. There were 28 postgraduate research students basedinScotlandin2012/13.StudentscanstudyaPhD,MPhilMasterofResearch(MRes)full-timeorpart-time;theDoctorateinEducation(EdD)isapart-timedegree.Ourresearchstudentsarealsosupported through the Virtual Research Environment.

TheOpenUniversity’spostgraduateprovisionisinternationallyrenownedforitsqualityandflexibility.Wecurrentlyofferoverover30taughtmastersdegrees;ourstudentshavetheflexibilitytostudyastandalonecourse,orworktowardsapostgraduatecertificate,diplomaormastersdegree.Over600postgraduatestudentsstudiedwithusinScotlandin2012/2013.

OpenResearchOnline(ORO)isTheOpenUniversity’srepositoryofresearchpublicationsandotherresearchoutputs.ItisanOpenAccessresourcethatcanbesearchedandbrowsedfreelybymembersofthepublic.OROoffersover25,000researchpublicationsandhasover47,000uniquevisitorsamonth.

Research and Scholarship within The OU in Scotland

Whilst the majority of The Open University’s research functions are located at the campus in Milton Keynes,itsimpactinfluencespolicyandpracticefromlocaltogloballevels.Amongstouracademicstaff within The OU in Scotland, there is active research on volcanology, social policy, poverty, post-independencetaximplications,economicdevelopmentincommunitybuyouts,businesshistory,musicin Glasgow, language learning and identity construction amongst a variety of other topics.

TheUniversityhasrecentlyintroducedthestatusofHonoraryAssociatewhichenablesOUAssociateLecturers, who wish to undertake research in collaboration with the OU, to apply to a faculty or institute,similartoVisitingAcademicstatus.ThisschemeallowstheresearchofassociatelecturersinScotland to be recognised and will strengthen our academic community.

TheOUinScotland’sLearningDevelopmentTeamconductsabroadrangeofpracticebasedresearch and scholarship which impacts on pedagogic practice institutionally and across the HE sector. Evaluation of our research on the key thematic areas below leads to the development of innovativepedagogicpractices,thenintostaffdevelopmentandthemainstreamingofpractices:

The pedagogy of online and distance learning•

College-university transitions•

Part-time higher education and widening access •

Celebrating research

In 2013, The Open University commissioned artists across the four countriesoftheUKtodesignartworkstorepresenttheUniversity’sinnovative research and development.

AcclaimedScottishartists,Wiretrace,producedastunning3Dexperience,“TheBrainTrilogy”,inspiredbythestudiesofneuroscientists at the OU’s Biomedical Research Network.

http://www.open.ac.uk/students/charter/essential-documents/virtual-research-environment


Open educational practice•

Educational needs and support of carers•

Young students •

Work-based learning•

Professional development •

Employability•

Reflection•

Studentexperience,studentidentityandnetworksofsupportforstudentsinremotelocations•

Renewables, sustainability and education for sustainability•

Links between widening participation and equality and diversity•

TheOpenUniversityinScotlandhasactivelyengagedwithQAAScotland’scurrentEnhancementTheme of Developing and Supporting the Curriculum, delivering small projects, case studies and conference papers.

Cultural engagement

Aspartofitsculturalengagementprogramme,TheOpenUniversityinScotlandsupportsanumberoflectures and events at book festivals, arts festivals and science festivals across Scotland. Our current programmeincludesWigtown,Ullapool,Stirling,Motherwell,LanarkandOrkneywithour‘flagship’event being the Edinburgh International Book Festival where we have developed a strong partnership over a number of years.

We believe that our cultural engagement programme in Scotland complements the OU-wide strategic priority of delivering journeys from informal to formal learning as we deliver or support events which are relevant to our curriculum or BBC collaborations, and which can map directly to particular modules/qualifications.

Knowledge exchange

The Open University in Scotland receives baseline funding from the Scottish Funding Council for its knowledgeexchangeactivitywhichincludesconferences,lecturesandworkshops.HoweverTheOUalsoengagesinsignificantnon-incomegeneratingknowledgeexchangeinScotland,suchasthedevelopment and provision of informal learning, at a much higher level than the baseline knowledge exchangegrant.Underthecurrentmetricssuchactivitycannotbeacknowledgedorrewarded.ItremainsourintentiontoworkwiththeSFCtohavethebenefitsofsuchknowledgeexchangeactivityrecognised.


MeasuresAn incremental increase in knowledge exchange income to The OU in Scotland over the three-year period of this outcome agreement

Evidence of impact in 2-3 sectors of The OU in Scotland’s knowledge exchange activity

The OpenScience Laboratory

The OpenScience Laboratory is an online laboratory for practical science teaching which was launched by The Open University in July 2013 with support from The Wolfson Foundation. The laboratory brings interactive practical science to students anywhere and anytime

the internet is available. The laboratory features investigations based on on-screen instruments, remote accessexperimentsandvirtualscenariosusingrealdata.TheOUinScotlandbelievesthattheOpenScienceLaboratoryhaspotentialtooffersignificantbenefitstoScottishsecondaryeducationandisindiscussionwithbodiessuchasEducationScotlandandtheSQAtoexplorethisfurther.


SFC Aim 6: University- industry collaboration – deliver a step-change in the engagement of business and industry with universities, removing any barriers to the exploitation of research for economic and wider societal benefit

SFC Outcomes

MaximisethepotentialforleverageoffurtherinvestmentattheUKandEuropeanlevel25.tofurtherenhanceHEI/industrycollaboration,particularlyforsmallandmediumsizedenterprises(SMEs).


Partnerships are core to The Open University in Scotland strategic plans. Partnership activity with employers and unions is most prevalent in areas such as Health and Social Care, Social Work and Nursing but it makes an important contribution to every faculty area. We have a diverse range and large number of partnerships from private sector to public, formal to informal and from student sponsorshiptocollaborationovernewcurriculumdevelopments.Asnapshotofthepartnershipsinoneregion,theHighlandsandIslands,givessomesenseoftherange:ArgyllandButeCouncil,ArgyllandButeCommunityHealthPartnership,ComhairlenanEileanSiar(WesternIslesCouncil),Highlands Council, NHS Highland, Highland Home Carers, NHS Orkney, Shetland Islands Council, NHS Shetland, Marine Harvest, Caithness Chamber of Commerce, Scottish Union Learning, Unison, RossCountyFCandtheScottishFootballAssociation.

AdditionalplacesallocatedforengineeringbytheSFCin2013-14enabledTheOUinScotlandtoexpandwellestablishedpartnershipswithemployerssuchasRollsRoyce,Babcock,BAESystemsand Mahle, unions and colleges.

AsaresultofourworkwithCommunityEnergyScotlandwehavedevelopedanonlineopenaccesscourse Community Energy in Scotland to support communities, as well as individuals, who want to developtheirownenergyefficiencyandgenerationmeasures.

TheOUinScotlandwelcomedthe51additionaltaughtpostgraduateplacesprovidedbytheSFCin2013-14tosupportleadershipandmanagementskillsandwewillreportonthefulfilmentoftheseplaces in our 2013-14 self-evaluation report.

TheOUinScotlandworkswithcolleaguesintheBusinessDevelopmentUnittoincreasenon-corenetteaching income.

Innovation vouchers

The Open University in Scotland has a successful track record of utilising both the SFC-funded Innovation Voucher and Follow-On Voucher Schemes. The Innovation Voucher scheme has funded the strategic development of new collaborative activity with broad range of organisations such as BurnsStewartDistillery,ThePrincessRoyalTrustforCarers,CommunityEnergyScotlandandtheenergyadvicesocialenterprise,SCARF.TheFollow-onVoucherSchemefacilitatedanexistingcollaborationwiththeBridgesProgrammesinGlasgowtodevelopanonlinereflectiontoolkitforuseby new migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, and practitioners supporting these groups.

AsaresultofourworkwithCommunityEnergyScotlandwehavedevelopedanonlineopenaccesscourse Community Energy in Scotland to support communities, as well as individuals, who want to developtheirownenergyefficiencyandgenerationmeasures.


SFC Aim 7: Sustainable institutions – ensure high quality of governance and management for institutions delivering long term and financial and environmentally sustainable interactions

SFC Outcomes

Institutions have in place appropriate and effective governance structures which ensure 26. sound governance, internal control and risk management.

Institutions’ governing bodies have clear ownership of institutional sustainability. 27.

Institutions invest in their estates for teaching and research at a sustainable level. 28.

OU Outcomes

AnincreaseinphilanthropicincomefromScotland29.

Stable grant income30.

Our context

The Open University’s governing body is the Council, which is supported by a number of sub-committees.Councilhasamembershipof25,asrecommendedbytheChairsofUniversityCouncils(CUC)CodeofPractice,whichincludesmembersofSenate,associatelecturers,non-academicstaff,studentsandanumberofexternalco-optedmembers.Theseexternalmembers,appointedfortheirexperienceandexpertise,holdamajorityofplacesonCouncil,asrecommendedbytheCUC.

TheCouncilisparticularlyconcernedwithfinances,strategicplanning,monitoringinstitutionaleffectiveness and performance, estate management, property, staff matters, equality and diversity, healthandsafety,andtheStudents’Association.

The Open University in Scotland

TheOpenUniversityisauniqueinstitution,whichdeliversteachinginallfournationsoftheUKandisfundedbythegovernmentsinScotland,EnglandandWales.Assuch,ithasgovernancestructureswhichrecogniseandworkwithintheincreasinglydiversepolicycontextsofeachnation.TheDirectorofTheOpenUniversityinScotlandisdesignatedVice-Chancellor’sDelegateinScotlandandisresponsible for the provision of services to students and associate lecturers based in Scotland.

TheOpenUniversityinScotlandconvenestwocommitteesaspartofitsconsultativestructure:theScottish Committee and the Scottish Working Committee. Both committees include representation from students and academics, as well as non academic staff representatives. The Scottish Committee meets once a year and the Scottish Working Committee meets twice a year. Working with our student and associate lecturer body, we undertook a review of consultative structure in Scotland in 2013 to ensure our current practices and procedures operate effectively within Scotland and the wider Open University consultative structure.


Financial sustainability

TheOpenUniversityhasawell-developedfinancialstrategy,reviewedannuallybyitsFinanceCommittee,thatspecifiesparametersforborrowings,netcurrentassetsandsurpluses.OverthepastfouryearstheUniversityhasstrengthenedconsiderablyitsfinancialpositionsothatthetargetsfor all the stated parameters have been met. Each year the starting point of the annual budgeting processisthemaintenanceoftheUniversity’sfinancialsustainabilityoverboththeshort-termandthelong-term. The annual recurrent teaching grant from the Scottish Funding Council contributes to the University’soverallincomeanditsfinancialcondition.

FurtherinformationonTheOpenUniversity’sfinancialpositionisavailableinourauditedfinancialstatements which can be found at www.open.ac.uk/foi/main/expenditures.

Philanthropic giving

TheOUinScotlandisworkingwithcolleaguesfromtheDevelopmentOfficetoraisetheprofileoftheUniversityinstrategicnetworksandexplorethepotentialformorephilanthropicgivingfromScotlandfor particular projects.

Environmental sustainability

The Open University is committed to the principles of sustainability and sustainable development. By its very nature distance learning is inherently more sustainable than residential HE institutions and the University will strive to achieve even higher standards.

TheUniversityhasundertakentoreduceitscarbonemissionsby36%by2020againstthe2005baselineof15526tonnes.TheUniversityhasintroducedtheGoGreenprogrammewhichaimstocontributea5%reductionyearonyeartoworktowardsthistargetoverthenextfewyears.

Go Green is a University wide programme to reduce our impact on the environment. It aims to achieveenvironmentalandfinancialsavingsacrosstheUniversitybyempoweringstafftotakeactionon energy, waste, water and travel. The Go Green programme is intended to become an integral part of staff behaviours in the future to enable the University to manage its energy needs and energy costs.

Raising funds

AspecialviewingofJackVettriano’sartwork,includingatalkbythe artist himself, raised funds for The OU in Scotland’s Caring for Carers initiative.

Jack, an OU Honorary Graduate, spoke to students, alumni and OU supporters at a major retrospective of his work in Glasgow in November 2013.

Photo: Jack Vettriano and James Miller, Director of OU in Scotland, with Jack’s painting Portrait in Black and Pearl

http://www.open.ac.uk/foi/main/expenditures


Summary of outcomes and targets (where applicable)

SFCOutcome:Moreevenpatternsofparticipationbydifferentgroupsoflearners,including1. those from areas of deprivation and protected characteristic groups

Using new SFC definition of a SIMD quintile Target


FTEproportionfromSIMD40 38.1% 38.1% 38.1%


Measure 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15

Female 60.0% 59.8% tbc 59%

Male 40.0% 40.2% tbc 40%

21 and over 89.4% 88.3% tbc 90%

Under 21 10.6% 11.7% tbc 10%

Disabilitydeclared 7.1% 14.2% tbc 14%

BME 4.1% 4.4% tbc 4.5%

Unknown 2.3% 1.9% tbc

White 93.6% 93.7% tbc 94%

SFCOutcome:Anincreasethenumberofundergraduatecredittransferclaimsbystudents2. withaHigherNationalpreviouseducationalqualification(PEQ)frompartnercolleges


Measure 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

Number of undergraduate credit transfer claims by students with a Higher National previous educationalqualification(PEQ)frompartner colleges, irrespective of year of entry

232 253 253 313 323 323 323

OUOutcome:MaintainlevelsofrecruitmentofOUstudentswithaHigherNational3. background

Confirmed Target

OU new students with an HN background: headcount registered at start

2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

Anyarticulationtype(i.e.fullandpartial articulation)

190 152 148 148 148 148 148


718 685 702 702 702 702 702


OUOutcome:Anincreaseinthenumberofcollegesparticipatinginourcampusbased4. articulation scheme

2011/2 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15

Partnercollege(s) 1 4 4 6

OUOutcome:InnegotiationwiththeSFC,achangetothemethodofallocatingthedisability5.premium to The OU in Scotland

OUOutcome:Anincreasetothescaleofourworkwithcarersanddevelopinginnovative6. methods of support

OUOutcome:Anincreaseinthenumberofschools,includingthosethatarepartoftheSchools7. toHigherEducationProgramme(SHEP),involvedinourYoungApplicantinSchoolsScheme


Measure 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15Number of SHEP schools 7 5 14 25

Number of schools 78 106 92 95

SFCOutcome:Animprovementintheretentionandsuccessratesoflearners8.

Measure Target

All data in FTEs. 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2014/15Modulecompletionrate:newstudents 58.4% 58.3% 57.7% 59.5% 60%

Modulecompletionrate:continuingstudents 69.2% 68.7% 68.3% 66.8% 67%

SFCOutcome:Greaterflexibilityinentryandexitpoints,whereappropriate,toreduce9.potentialinefficienciesinthelearnerjourneywherethisisofbenefittothelearner

SFCOutcome:Qualityoflearningprovisionandlearneroutcomesassuredandenhanced10.

Measure Target

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014ProportionofOUstudentssatisfiedwithoverallqualityoftheirstudyexperienceintheNationalStudentSurvey

93% 93% 94% 93% 93%

OUOutcome:ExpansionofthebackoncourseScotlandserviceforfulltimeundergraduate11. students who have withdrawn from higher education before completing their studies

Measure Confirmed Interim Target

2012/13 2013/14 2014/15

Number of records passed to back on course Scotland service 975 1075 2,000

Proactive attempt at contact 100% 100% 100%

% of early leavers the service has successfully interacted with 37.3% 35.1% 38%

% of those whose records have been passed to back on course Scotland going on to full guidance stage

3.1% 5.8% 7%


SFCOutcome:Universitiesareresponsivetocurrentandfutureskillrequirementsof12. employers

SFCOutcome:Moretargetedrecruitmenttocoursesofnationalandregionaleconomic13. significance

FTE group %

STEM modules 2011/12 2012/13 2011/12 2012/13 Target: 2016/17

594.3 713.8 35.2% 36.2% 40%

SFCOutcome:ImplementationoftheNationalGaelicLanguagePlan14.

OUOutcome:TofacilitatebestpracticeinopenonlineeducationinScotlandthroughthe15.development of a peer support network, an online hub and awareness raising activities

Measure Target

Open educational resources 2014

Rural Entrepreneurship Afreeonlineresourceintendedforanyoneinterestedinstartingtheirown business in rural Scotland.

Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games OU-BBC programmes and online resources to complement the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow

Caring for Carers In collaboration with Carers Trust Scotland, a customised version of the OU’sReflectionToolkitforcarers

SelfDirectedSupport With Scottish Government funding, the development of up to 20 hours of onlinelearningandadviceresourcesonself-directedsupportspecificallyfor children and families.

Energy advice IncollaborationwithSCARF,acharitybasedintheNorth-EastofScotland, online energy advisory materials for social housing tenants

SFCOutcome:Graduatesarewellpreparedforworkandcanutilisetheirskillseffectivelyin16. the increasingly international labour market.

OUOutcome:Maintainlevelsofemployersponsorshipinaperiodofausterity17.

Students sponsored by employer 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

Proportion of total student headcount (undergraduateandpostgraduate)

9% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10%

OU Outcome: Increased participation in workplace learning18. AnexpansionofTheOUinScotland’srangeofwork-basedlearningactivityinScotlandoverthe three-year period of this outcome agreement.

OUOutcome:Improvedunderstandingofthesynergiesbetweenworkandlearning19.

SFCOutcome:Animprovementinthesector’sperformanceinREF2014comparedwith20. RAE2008

SFCOutcome:EnhancedresearchandKEcollaboration21.

SFCOutcome:AnincreaseinthenumberofinstitutionsanddepartmentssecuringAthena22. Swan awards



OUOutcome:GreaterawarenessofTheOpenUniversity’sresearch,scholarshipand23. knowledgeexchangeinScotland

MeasureAnincrementalincreaseinknowledgeexchangeincometoTheOUinScotlandoverthethreeyearperiod of this outcome agreement

Evidenceofimpactin2-3sectorsofTheOUinScotland’sknowledgeexchangeactivity

OUOutcome:RecognitionofTheOpenUniversityinScotland’scontributiontoknowledge24. exchangethroughitsdeliveryofinformallearning

SFCOutcome:MaximisethepotentialforleverageoffurtherinvestmentattheUKand25.EuropeanleveltofurtherenhanceHEI/industrycollaboration,particularlyforsmallandmediumsizedenterprises(SMEs)

SFCOutcome:Institutionshaveinplaceappropriateandeffectivegovernancestructures26. which ensure sound governance, internal control and risk management.

SFCOutcome:Institutions’governingbodieshaveclearownershipofinstitutional27. sustainability.

SFCOutcome:Institutionsinvestintheirestatesforteachingandresearchatasustainable28. level.

OUOutcome:AnincreaseinphilanthropicincomefromScotland29.

OUOutcome:Stablegrantincome30.


Critical assumptions

There are a number of critical assumptions that have been made when drawing up The OU in Scotland’soutcomeagreementfor2014-17;somerelyonexternalfactors,othersareinternaltotheUniversity:

AsustainablemethodoffundingforTheOpenUniversity’swork-basedlearningactivityandthe•back on course Scotland service.

TheeligibilitycriteriaforthePart-timeFeeGrantisrefinedtoensureitmaximisesthe•opportunities for students on low incomes to access higher education.

AviablenumberofshortmodulesremainavailablewithintheUniversity’scurriculumtosustain•theYoungApplicantsinSchoolsScheme(YASS)andattractlearnerswhowishtostarttheirlearning journey with small amounts of credit.

AccesstofinancialsupportforschoolspupilstostudyingwithintheYASSscheme.•

Outcome Agreement between The Open University in Scotland and Scottish Funding Council for academic years 2014-17

The Open University in Scotland 10DrumsheughGardens Edinburgh EH3 7QJ

Tel:+44(0)1312263851 Email:[email protected] Web:www.open.ac.uk/scotland The Open University is incorporated by RoyalCharter(RC000391), anexemptcharityinEngland&Wales andacharityregisteredinScotland(SC038302)

outcome agreement between the open university …...consultation through the open university’s...

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