Richard Branson didn't just wake up one day and decide to start a school. For the Virgin founder, this is personal. He spent his childhood being told he was "slow" or "lazy" by teachers who didn't have a clue what was going on in his head. Fast forward a few decades, and he's basically trying to flip the entire education system on its head.
What is the Richard Branson Dyslexia University?
Actually, it’s officially called DyslexicU. It is essentially the world's first "University of Dyslexic Thinking."
Launched in late 2024 during the UN General Assembly in New York, this isn't a traditional brick-and-mortar campus with ivy-covered walls. It’s a free, online platform hosted by The Open University and created in partnership with the charity Made By Dyslexia.
The goal? To teach the world that being dyslexic isn't a disability—it's a competitive advantage in the age of AI.
Branson’s whole argument is that while AI can handle the linear, rote, and "logical" tasks, it can't replicate the messy, creative, and lateral thinking that dyslexic minds naturally excel at. He calls it his "superpower."
Honestly, it’s a bold claim, but when you look at the names involved—people like Princess Beatrice, Barbara Corcoran, and Erin Brockovich—it starts to look less like a marketing stunt and more like a massive shift in how we value intelligence.
How it actually works
Don't expect 8:00 AM lectures or boring textbooks. The curriculum is built around real-world expertise rather than academic theory.
- Free Access: Anyone, anywhere, can sign up. You don't even have to be dyslexic to take the courses.
- The Teachers: You’re essentially being mentored by the world’s most successful dyslexic minds. Think chefs like Jamie Oliver or actors like Orlando Bloom.
- LinkedIn Integration: This is a big one. Once you finish a course, you can actually add the "University of Dyslexic Thinking" to your LinkedIn education profile.
- Focus Areas: The first modules launched were "Entrepreneurs & Start-Up Mentality" and "Changemakers & Activism."
Why this matters for the 2026 job market
The timing isn't accidental. We’re deep into the AI revolution.
A report called Intelligence 5.0, commissioned by Made By Dyslexia and the recruiter Randstad Enterprise, found that the top skills employers are desperate for right now are complex problem solving, empathy, and adaptability.
These are exactly the things dyslexics are usually great at.
Because dyslexic people often struggle with traditional reading and writing, they have to find "workarounds" from a young age. That builds a kind of cognitive resilience and creativity that is hard to teach in a standard classroom.
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Branson often tells a story about how he never understood the difference between "gross profit" and "net profit" until he was well into his career. He just focused on the big picture and hired people to handle the spreadsheets. That’s the "dyslexic thinking" he wants to democratize.
The Misconception: It’s only for kids
People often think dyslexia is a "childhood problem" you grow out of. Wrong.
It’s a lifelong wiring of the brain. DyslexicU is specifically designed for adults—professionals who want to level up, or managers who want to understand how to better lead neurodivergent teams.
Actionable Steps for 2026
If you're curious about how this fits into your own life or career, here is what you can actually do:
- Audit your skills: Look at your daily tasks. Are you spending 80% of your time on things AI can do (data entry, basic writing)? If so, you need to pivot toward "human" skills like storytelling and lateral thinking.
- Sign up for a module: Go to the DyslexicU site on The Open University platform. Start with the "Entrepreneurs" course. Even if you aren't dyslexic, the way they break down problem-solving is radically different from what you learned in business school.
- Recognize the "Noun": Last year, "Dyslexic Thinking" was officially added as a noun to the dictionary. If you’re a hiring manager, start looking for this specific trait in candidates rather than just scanning for high GPAs or "perfect" resumes.
- Update your LinkedIn: If you’re dyslexic, add it as a skill. LinkedIn officially added "Dyslexic Thinking" as a recognized skill back in 2022, and it’s becoming a major signal for tech companies looking for innovators.
The old "school of thought" was about memorization. The new one is about imagination. Branson’s "university" is just the first step in making that the global standard.