UPSKILL IN A KEY GROWTH AREA WITH A FREE COURSE FROM THE OPEN UNIVERSITY

The Open University (OU) has opened applications for a range of postgraduate courses and short microcredential courses, fully funded through the Department for the Economy’s Skill Up initiative.

Hundreds of places are available across 27 courses with savings of up to £3,200 in course fees. Registration closes on 13 February 2023.

Postgraduate courses provide skills and knowledge that can bring real-life benefits to you and your career. Microcredential short courses are designed to help you quickly build indemand career skills and knowledge to stay up-to-date and get ahead.

All courses offer flexible, online study options that allow applicants to work at the same time as they learn.

Courses have been selected based on industry demand and growth and include short 10- or 12-week microcredential courses in Cyber Security Operations (Cisco), Agile Leadership and Management, Climate Change: Transforming your Organisation for Sustainability and AWS Solutions Architect. Postgraduate courses typically last six months and include Digital Forensics, Financial Strategy and Governance, Systems Security. After unexpectedly losing her job, Magdelana Bisewska wanted to change her career path and studied a post graduate course in Project Management under the Skill Up scheme:

“I had read about fully funded places on the Skill Up programme and with the cost of living increasing over the year, it was a very attractive offer which allowed me to save some money and at the same time gain new qualifications.”

“Participation in the course has opened many doors for me. If I had not attended the Postgraduate in Project management module, I would not have been offered my current role which involves project management as I had no experience. I am quite sure I would not have even been shortlisted for an interview.”

Whether you’re looking to refresh your skills, or upskill to open a new career path, these courses provide an opportunity to invest in your future, without having to pay a penny. All you need is a willingness to learn and the commitment to study between 10 and 18 hours a week.

Find out more about The Open University’s range of Skill Up funded courses at www.open.ac.uk/courses/choose/skill-up Registration for The Open University Skill Up courses closes at midnight on 13 February 2023. Places are limited so early application is recommended.