Saturday September 26th 2026
The programme forms part of an expansion of The Open University in Scotland’s ‘Catalyst Centre’ approach with five college partners across Scotland.
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A new door to learning has been opened for students at Borders College after a three-year education ‘at home’ partnership was announced.
Learners are set to benefit from funding that will provide more routes into higher education without needing to leave the region, thanks to the tie-up between The Open University in Scotland and the college in Galashiels.
The partners will explore opportunities for direct progression from college courses into Open University degree-level study, including the potential for higher education provision to be delivered within college and community settings.
The investment, secured through the Scottish Funding Council’s University Transformation Framework, will expand the OU’s ‘Catalyst Centre’ model with Borders College, creating flexible progression pathways, closer school and community links and the potential for degree-level study to be delivered on campus in Galashiels.
The programme will create more flexible progression opportunities, enabling learners to build higher-level qualifications while remaining in their communities and, where appropriate, combining study with employment.
The partnership will also respond to regional skills needs by exploring new approaches to curriculum design, enterprise education, digital learning and degree-level provision delivered through college and community settings.
Martin Boyle, Principal of The Open University in Scotland, said: “This funding supports The Open University in Scotland to work with Borders College to create new student opportunities.
“The partnership will look and feel unique, creating a bespoke approach which meets the region’s particular needs while tapping into our world-leading digital education and research.
“Borders College has an important and complementary social mission which fits well with our ongoing commitment to improving skills and enhancing links across Scotland.”
The programme forms part of an expansion of The Open University in Scotland’s ‘Catalyst Centre’ approach with five college partners across Scotland.
Young people will also be supported through closer connections between The Open University in Scotland’s Young Applicants in Schools Scheme and Borders College, helping learners understand the options available to them and opening up further progression opportunities.
The two institutions will also explore how curriculum can be co-designed to meet the needs of students and employers while responding directly to skills demand across the Borders.
Digital learning will form another important part of the programme, with a bespoke route being developed to help the college make greater use of the OU’s OpenLearn provision and its extensive range of free learning resources.
Rather than requiring people to relocate to pursue higher education or professional development, the partnership is designed to make it easier for learners to study, work and remain within the Borders.
Flexible “earn and learn” pathways will also be explored, giving people the opportunity to combine employment with study and develop qualifications while continuing to contribute to the local economy.
Pete Smith, Principal and Chief Executive at Borders College, said: “Borders College is delighted to partner with The Open University in Scotland in this initiative.
“The Catalyst Centre will provide our students with a dedicated pathway to continue their studies with delivery taking place in our college campus, removing barriers to participation and meeting their future ambitions.”
The Open University (OU) is the largest academic institution in the UK and a world leader in flexible supported online learning.
Since it began in 1969, the OU has taught more than 2.3 million students worldwide and currently has around 200,000 students, including over 16,450 in Scotland.
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