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January 19, 2009
Downturn drives up demand for distance learning courses
The credit crunch is changing the way people choose an education, according to Resource Development International (RDI), the world’s largest independent provider of UK university distance learning qualifications. RDI is seeing enrolments rise in the recession and, significantly, attracted 30% more people on to its distance learning courses between October and December 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.
New fee structure launched
The upturn in enrolments is being helped by RDI’s new fee structure, which means education is easily affordable and has an ‘earn as you learn’ ethos. RDI has introduced a ‘pay as you go’ payment plan so students pay US$275 a month, and they can cover the cost simply through their wage increases.
Dr Hallam, CEO of RDI, comments: “Education has always professed to be counter cyclical in terms of the health of the economy and the fact that RDI is doing so well in the downturn seems to prove the point. In times of difficulty, individuals can see the value of self improvement and RDI provides a way to gain respected UK university qualifications flexibly and economically. In these austere times, parents funding their children’s studies, young people starting on the career path and mature students are all seeing the benefits of a more affordable education route.”
Distance learning proves its worth
Around 80% of RDI’s new enrolments in October to December 2008 were from 20-35 year olds who have chosen the distance learning option. Unlike with the traditional university route, distance learning means accommodation costs, loans and loss of earnings can all be avoided. The total price for a BA (Hons) in Business is US$9,400 by distance learning compared to at least US$23,000 if taken on campus. Research shows that an MBA taken using the traditional study route can cost up to US$49,500. However, an MBA with RDI costs from around US$8,500: so, the student is receiving essentially the same qualification with the same university while saving US$41,000.
Around 35% of the RDI’s new recruits were enrolling on postgraduate degrees, 85% of which were MBAs. Undergraduate degrees accounted for 25% of enrolments and 37% of the newcomers were enrolling on pre degree courses leading to formal qualifications. Of the 3,829 respondents in the December 2008 survey, 54% said they were “educating themselves to seek a new career direction” but only 26% said they were doing it to provide more job security. Meanwhile, 63.4% praised the flexibility of distance learning and 28.4% cited “increased finances” as the most important factor in prompting them to start their studies.
Making a real different to people
Tom Rance, a 24 year old from Wellesborne in Warwickshire, is typical of the students moving from full time study to distance learning. Tom wanted to complete a degree programme he had started full time at Durham but found the costs increasingly prohibitive. He was also keen to join the police force. He has now done both, joining Northamptonshire Police and topping up his degree by distance learning. He explains: “The low payment scheme means my university education is cheaper and much more flexible than taking a campus programme and I can develop my police career while studying.”
All distance learning at RDI is underpinned by the company’s exclusive “ilearn” system which rolls an online university, online campus and classroom into one. Distance learning courses are available at MBA, MSc, BA (Hons), Diploma and Advanced Certificate level.
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