The Open University offers part-time degree courses

The number of young people applying for Open University courses has almost trebled during the last seven years, figures reveal.

The increased cost of studying elsewhere, with the introduction of tuition fees and the abolition of maintenance grants, is being cited as the main reason.

In 1996-7, the OU had 5,894 undergraduates under the age of 24. By 2002-3 the figure was 16,000, or just over one in 10 of its student population.

Pro-vice-chancellor professor Allan Cochrane said: "We're finding that the cost of going to other universities is discouraging people and as a consequence they are turning to the OU.

Lower fees

"When you consider that OU students do not have to find the money to live away from home and that our fees are significantly lower, it is not altogether surprising."

Currently, the annual charge for undergraduate tuition fees at conventional universities is �1,125.

Under government plans, this would increase to a maximum of �3,000 by 2006.

Most OU degrees are taken part-time over six years, costing an average of �4,100.

Its courses make extensive use of remote-learning technology, such as the internet and television.

Lifestyle

Prof Cochrane said: "An increasing number of people do not want to commit to three years of study before joining the workforce.

"Some of our younger students have attended other universities, but have not found them compatible with their study needs, or their lifestyle."

Of the OU's students aged 24 or under, a third are 21 or younger.

This accounts for almost 4% of its undergraduates, nearly four times the figure recorded seven years ago.

Professor Cochrane said students could work while studying for an OU course, which had proved an incentive.

Some 42% of the young entrants had achieved grades which would have allowed them to go to a conventional university.

The OU's first group of 600 graduates accepted their degrees in a ceremony in London in 1973.