COVENTRY, England, October 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
Demand for online degrees with UK universities is up 38% on 2011 - and the average age of students has dropped significantly, from 30 to just 24.
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With traditional campus university tuition fees rising up to £27,000 for a three-year course, UK distance learning degrees are an increasingly attractive option. RDI has seen UK applications for online degrees rise by 38% in the last year.
It's an option most popular with young working people; 90% of RDI's students for 2012 are in full time jobs.
The group, dubbed TWISTAs (Twenty-somethings With Income Studying to Advance) are using online degrees or distance learning as a route to learn while they earn to advance in their careers without the burden of debt.
Dr Phil Hallam, CEO of RDI, said: "Young people in their twenties have rent or mortgages to pay - some have family commitments - and while they may be employed, they won't yet be high earners and are likely to hit barriers in their career without qualifications. Returning to full-time education isn't an option - they can't afford it. Distance learning is an attractive solution. At RDI, we offer the lowest cost university degree in the UK at a total of £9,500 - a smart financial route to a degree to boost career growth."
Meet a TWISTA
Andy Cain from Blackpool explained: "I left school at 16 and initially got a job as a chef but it wasn't for me. I got an admin job with Fylde Borough Council when I was 23 but soon realised I'd need more qualifications if I was to climb the career ladder. I really wanted to do a degree but with a mortgage to pay, full time study was not really an option.
"Distance learning with RDI meant I could earn and learn. Also, being that much older, I was more dedicated to my study - I graduated this year with a first class honours degree in BSc Business Computing. The degree helped me gain a promotion at work and meant I wasn't saddled with debt. With a baby on the way in November - the money I've saved on study and extra income from the promotion will certainly come in handy!"
To find out more about distance learning and the range of courses available from RDI, visit http://www.rdi.co.uk.
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