Budget cuts could spur distance learning demand

02 Feb 2010

The government''s higher education budgetary cuts could benefit distance learning providers.

Demand for distance learning courses could increase following revelations that more than 200,000 aspiring students could miss out on university places thanks to budgetary cuts.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson plans to cut more than £600 million from university and science budgets over the next few years in addition to £315 million in savings this year.

However, vice-chancellors warned that the move could lead to thousands missing on an opportunity to pursue degree courses as demand for university education soars in the wake of the recession.

Speaking to the BBC, Universities UK president Professor Steve Smith said: "Last year about 160,000 students who applied didn''t end up going to university.

"This year we already know there are about another 75,000 applying. There will be a lot of students this year who do not get a place."

Higher education minister David Lammy was, however, adamant that universities could implement efficiency savings without compromising quality.

Posted by David Steitz