Alana Taylor from Hamilton was the youngest graduate at The Open University (OU) in Scotland’s 2024 degree ceremony last week, successfully achieving her Bachelor of Science (Honours) Psychology degree.
The 20-year-old celebrated alongside 660 graduates who crossed the stage at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Friday, October 25,
And after leaving school aged 16, she reflected on how the OU helped make her dreams come true.
Alana joined the OU in 2020 with National 5 qualifications, saying: “I dropped out of school at 16 as I am autistic and struggled with the school environment. I wanted to further my education and The Open University let me gain qualifications while also allowing me to focus on my mental health and my autism.
“I chose to study at home as this was the best option for me due to being autistic. Due to the method of The Open University’s modules, I was able to take on other responsibilities while studying – pushing for my autism diagnosis, attending therapy and providing support at home as my mum is a single parent to me.”
A career in psychology is now a big step closer for Alana and she now even has her sights set on an OU Masters.
She added: “I chose to study psychology as I’ve always had an interest in helping others and I want to pursue psychology as my future career. Gaining my degree has helped me expand my knowledge of psychology and has confirmed to me that I would like to further my education in psychology by getting my Masters degree and then advancing my career.”
Alana was inspired by her mother who studied nursing, and said: “She did this while I was at primary school and she continues to inspire me by being a single mother and taking part in a job that she loves and also helps others.”
Alana added: “Studying has helped me gain confidence in myself both with my educational skills and personally. It has also shown me that even though I am autistic it doesn’t limit my potential. I have proved to myself that I am capable of achieving my goals even if it’s not done in the ‘conventional’ way of studying in person.”
Alana joined other graduates as the OU in Scotland also marked a historic milestone, celebrating the 50th anniversary of its first-ever degree ceremony here, which took place in Edinburgh in 1974.
This year’s event saw 660 graduates at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, showcasing the university’s continued commitment to accessible and inclusive education. Among them, 170 (25 per cent) have declared a disability, 340 (50 per cent) are the first in their families to pursue higher education, and 380 students (60 per cent) benefitted from part-time fee grants which cover the costs of study.
In 1974, the first ceremony saw 270 graduates gather at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh, presided over by the OU’s first vice-chancellor, Lord Walter Perry, who hailed from Dundee. Fast-forward to 2024, the OU has expanded its reach considerably, now boasting over 200,000 alumni across Scotland.
Director of OU in Scotland, Susan Stewart, reflected on the significance of the event, saying: “It’s a momentous occasion for the OU in Scotland, celebrating 50 years of changing lives through education. Our graduates, many of whom are balancing studies with work, family, and other commitments, demonstrate incredible resilience and determination. We are immensely proud of their achievements and delighted to celebrate alongside them.”
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