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The Open University (OU) is a major partner in the UK's Institute of Coding (IoC), a new, exciting, national initiative, led by the University of Bath, supported by theme leaders Aston University, Coventry University, the Open University and Queen Mary University of London. The Institute brings together a range of universities, industry, training providers and professional bodies to address the UK's digital skills gaps.

The Institute's vision is to enhance the education and employability of every IoC learner, and ensure that employers and individuals across the UK can access the skills they need to compete in the global digital economy. This unique and innovative collaboration has been made possible with £20m from the Higher Education Funding Council for England and match funding from universities and industry partners.

The Institute of Coding will develop and deliver innovative, industry-focused higher education across the UK. It will develop accredited degree schemes and short courses aimed at professionals in a wide range of sectors, as well as working to widen the participation of women, returners to work and hard to reach groups.

The OU leads the IoC's first theme on University Learning, which aims to influence computer science teaching in universities nationally. The Knowledge Media Institute will contribute with leadership of the University Learning theme and with the application of data analytics and blockchains to higher education. The Computing and Communications school will lead on the setting up of a new accreditation standard for computing, the development of courses in data science and cyber security and widening participation in the computing area.

Institute of Coding - Open Badge icon

The Institute of Coding (IoC) is committed to supporting Universities and organizations through the process of designing, managing and issuing their IoC badges. We will work collaboratively with organizations to setup and run badging for IoC related events.

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Educating the Educators – OU and Cisco partnership as part of the Institute of Coding: 11500+ and counting

By Dr Patricia Charlton I started working on the institute of coding project back in September of 2018. An ambitious project, with many OU colleagues contributing to reaching a diverse range of...

An introduction to Artificial Intelligence workshop

The Open University as part of the £20M funded UK Government funded Institute of Coding (IoC) initiative is running a number of workshops to work with Industry and communities to help in...

FutureLearn to Deliver digital skills programmes for Institute of Coding

The OU's social learning platform FutureLearn is to deliver digital skills programmes as part of the Institute of Coding (IoC). The FutureLearn platform will deliver digital skills...

Towards a Manifesto for Inclusive STEM Education

On 31st January, Clem Herman presented a workshop, together with Lisa Thomas from Lancaster University entitled Towards a Manifesto for Inclusive STEM Education. Lisa and Clem are both working...

What collaborative community learning and coding looks like: GirlsCode MK hackathon in action

We had a very successful and engaging weekend hackathon with GirlsCode MK, MK Hackathon and The Open University as part of our work on the diversity and inclusion vision of the Institute of Coding....

Happy Birthday! The Institute of Coding Turns 1

Today marks one-year since the Institute of Coding was announced. A £40M national Institute of Coding led by the University of Bath will help fill the UK's digital skills shortage, as well as...

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Introduction to Cyber Security

Introduction to Cyber Security

This is the second workshop from the OU as part of Institute of Coding project. The Open University as part of Institute of Coding project is running a number of workshops to work with Industry and...

Durham University

Computing Education Practice conference

The Institute of Coding is co-sponsoring the third Computing Education Practice conference, to take place 9th January 2019 at Durham University. Submissions to the theme suggested by the IoC...

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GirlsCode MK

GirlsCode MK is a volunteer organisation whose aim is to get more girls and women into programming and STEM careers. We're based in Milton Keynes, UK, and work together with The National Museum of...

Ada Lovelace Day

Ada Lovelace Day

It seems almost impossible to imagine, but this year will see the 10th Ada Lovelace Day, on Tuesday 9 October. Ada Lovelace Day (ALD) is an international celebration of the achievements of women...

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Courses

Find an OU course with IoC

Curious about coding? Ready for a degree? Aiming for a promotion? Our network of employers & educators have co-designed a range of industry-inspired courses.


Undergraduate courses related to: Computing & IT

View a selection of courses offered by The Open University relating to 'Computing and IT'


Introduction to computing and information technology 2

This module builds on Introduction to computing and information technology 1 (TM111) and prepares you for further study of computing and IT modules.


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Downloads

The Open University's approach to free learning

Free learning resources are core to our social mission, but we are also aware that the return on investment in this area is a very important by-product in terms of reputation building, brand recognition, new market opportunities, technology innovation, partnership formation and, most significantly triggering new student registrations. We have aligned the systems that we use for core student provision with those for our public OER provision. Therefore, as we invest and develop our student systems, the public systems also benefit (and vice versa).

We aim to ensure this mutual benefit approach is also applied in our work in developing and delivering systems to support others in free learning. We are also keen to ensure that any software or hardware systems have support communities that will remain at available, affordable, at scale and resilient.


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Media

Graduate salaries rise, but doubts remain over the gender pay gap

A new study released yesterday by the Department for Education and Institute of Fiscal Studies has analysed what getting a degree means for both men and women from particular universities. The data was sourced from an analysis of salaries at the age of 29. The study found that women who study maths at Oxford and men studying economics at Bristol get the biggest increase in earnings from going to university. Source: The Commentator


Government trials ‘learn to code' tool for civil servants

A group of people on the Civil Service Fast Stream development programme have built an online tool to teach their fellow government employees to code. The Learn to code site – which is currently in open beta phase – has been constructed as a step-by-step service, and currently covers six different modules: getting started; learning how the web works; building webpages; adding interactivity; web services; and databases. Source: Public Technology.net


Google, Microsoft and IBM join the Institute of Coding's Industry Advisory Board

Execs from 18 organisations will inform the £20m government-backed group's mission to boost digital skills. "With UK companies crying out for digitally-adept graduates with high levels of technical proficiency, the board will help communicate specific requirements to ensure the next generation are equipped with the skills they need to thrive in the workplace." Source: IT Pro


Team section people group icon

John Domingue Photo

John Domingue

Theme Lead & OU IoC PI

Arosha Bandara Photo

Arosha Bandara

Head of School

Michel Wermelinger Photo

Michel Wermelinger

Curriculum Deputy Lead

David Bowers Photo

David Bowers

Accreditation Standard Lead

See All Members of the Team