Rising Demand for Flexible Higher Education in Wales
Demand for flexible higher education in Wales is increasing rapidly, but the Open University has warned that insufficient funding could jeopardize future access to study opportunities.
The university highlighted that more individuals are opting for part-time study as they attempt to balance education with employment, caregiving responsibilities, and financial challenges.
Student enrollment at the Open University (OU) in Wales has more than doubled over the last decade, growing from fewer than 7,000 in the 2014/15 academic year to over 16,000 currently.
The Welsh government acknowledged the "significant pressures" facing the sector and stated its commitment to conducting a comprehensive review of higher education funding.
In Wales, the OU's funding primarily comes from a combination of public funds provided by the Welsh government and student fees.
For the 2024/2025 academic year, approximately 46% of the OU's income was derived from public funding.
However, the university reported that the real value of its core funding has decreased by about 33% over the past ten years, making it increasingly challenging to fulfill student needs.
Student Experiences Highlight the Importance of Flexible Study
Rachel Townsend, 43, from Ystalyfera, Swansea, pursued studies with the Open University while working full-time and raising two children as a single parent.
"I had hit a ceiling working as an assistant social worker but attending a traditional university was never a realistic option," she said.
"Both my children were under five at the time, I had just gone through a divorce so I had no option but to work full time."
Rachel secured funding through her local authority to complete a degree in social work.
"For me, to put the children down at 19:00 and then be able to pick my laptop up, still be able to pay the mortgage, have a full-time wage and have study leave was really beneficial.
Without that opportunity I would have been stunted, and the quality of my life wouldn't have improved.
I would have been stuck on a low wage for the rest of my career."
Since completing her degree, Rachel stated that her life has improved in multiple ways.
"We were able to afford a bigger house, I was able to work in leadership roles and now I've started my own business, something I never would have done without that degree."
Erin Gardener, 21, from Cardiff, studies philosophy and psychology at the OU.
"I, at 18, applied for university in Liverpool and I didn't have that motivation to go to uni.
Looking back, I probably should have taken a break to figure out what I wanted to do."
She discontinued a nursing degree after 18 months and worked various jobs before deciding to return to university. However, she lacked sufficient full-time funding for an in-person degree.
"I think if open uni wasn't a thing I would have felt stuck," she said.
"I could still have a degree and have access to things a degree opens.
It also means I'm getting experience in education with children whilst also getting a degree – most of my friends at university can't do that and employers want experience."
Funding Challenges and Sector Perspectives
Cerith Rhys-Jones, representing the OU in Wales, emphasized the increasing difficulty in meeting student needs.
"One of the main challenges for us at the moment is we are seeing some significant growth with the amount of students choosing to study with us.
In 2018 we were around 7,000 students, today we are around 17,000 students but we haven't seen the funding we receive per student growing. In real terms we are around 30% behind per student to where we were 10 years ago."
"One of the dangers of under-funding flexible higher education is people in public services don't have the skills they need. We train teachers, nurses and social workers and we need those people in our public services.
But also the economy needs new skills, the workplace is changing and people will need to upskill and reskill throughout life and we need to make sure the opportunities are there for people to do that.
Universities need to be funded to deliver that provision.
It's time for us to have some serious conversations about the future of higher education in Wales."
A Welsh government spokesperson stated:
"We are committed to taking forward a broad review of higher education funding with the aim of ensuring the system is financially sustainable and that more of the overall value of public investment benefits Wales.
We recognise the significant pressures universities face and will work closely with the sector throughout this process to hear their views."
