25/07/2025
Open University Opens Applications For Fully Funded Skill Up Courses
The Open University in Northern Ireland has officially opened applications for its latest round of fully funded postgraduate courses as part of the Department for the Economy's Skill Up programme.
The initiative aims to provide vital reskilling and upskilling opportunities to people across Northern Ireland, enhancing the region's economy and improving employment prospects.
A total of 14 flexible, part-time postgraduate modules are available to eligible learners, with studies scheduled to begin on 1 November 2025. As places are limited, early application is strongly encouraged before the closing deadline of 12:00 on Monday, 11 August 2025.
The courses, which are delivered entirely online, span various fields, including Leadership and Management, STEM, and Sustainability. Each programme requires a commitment of 16–18 hours of study per week and takes approximately six months to complete. Among the available options are "Managing in a Changing World," "Finance for Strategic Decision-Making," "Data Management," and "Environmental Monitoring and Protection."
To be eligible, applicants must be aged 18 or over and have the right to work and undertake training in the UK. Full eligibility criteria are available on The Open University's website.
The value of the programme was highlighted by a past participant, Patrick from Ballykelly. After studying the "Managing in a Changing World" course, he said: "The qualification has had a monumental impact on my career. Without the funding, I probably wouldn't have studied again. It gave me the chance to shift my career and pursue something I was passionate about."
To apply or learn more, visit: www.open.ac.uk/courses/choose/skill-up
The initiative aims to provide vital reskilling and upskilling opportunities to people across Northern Ireland, enhancing the region's economy and improving employment prospects.
A total of 14 flexible, part-time postgraduate modules are available to eligible learners, with studies scheduled to begin on 1 November 2025. As places are limited, early application is strongly encouraged before the closing deadline of 12:00 on Monday, 11 August 2025.
To be eligible, applicants must be aged 18 or over and have the right to work and undertake training in the UK. Full eligibility criteria are available on The Open University's website.
The value of the programme was highlighted by a past participant, Patrick from Ballykelly. After studying the "Managing in a Changing World" course, he said: "The qualification has had a monumental impact on my career. Without the funding, I probably wouldn't have studied again. It gave me the chance to shift my career and pursue something I was passionate about."
To apply or learn more, visit: www.open.ac.uk/courses/choose/skill-up
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.