Number of under-25s joining OU trebles

The number of young people enrolled on an Open University course leading to a degree or postgraduate qualification has almost trebled in the past four years. Figures released last week by the OU show that there were 6,865 students aged under 25 years from the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe enrolled in 1997-98. This compares with 2,332 in 1994-95. Young students accounted for 5 per cent of OU students in 1997-98, compared with 1.8 per cent in 1994-95. An OU spokesman said its degree lets people study while earning.