AOUG Timeline

The early days

From the very moment that the original Open University students signed up for their first courses, they knew they were part of something amazing. They were being given the chance of education, which for most of those applying at that time, had previously been denied them. Students had an immediate gratitude to The Open University and, excited by their own experiences, they wanted to ensure that others knew of the opportunities now available to them.

Early students became The Open University ambassadors spreading the word in all areas of their lives. By the time these students became graduates they had discovered that by sharing an unique experience, they had a common bond. They did not want this special connection to be lost and so kept contact with previous study groups and began to meet, thus sharing their enthusiasm and excitement of learning. They also offered help to their Open University study centres in any way they could, just to keep in touch with their University.

Small groups of these Open University graduates spontaneously sprang up all over the country. As time went on these groups heard of each other and contact was made between them giving rise to the first plans for our Association of Open University Graduates.