Rising demand for flexible higher education in Wales is outpacing funding, putting future workforce development and access to study at risk, The Open University has warned.
The University says its ability to support growing numbers of students could come under increasing pressure without action from the new Welsh Government, despite a sharp increase in learners seeking flexible learning.
Thousands more students across Wales are choosing to study flexibly as learners look for education options that fit around work, family life, caring responsibilities, existing careers and growing financial pressures. The shift reflects a broader change in how people access education, with traditional full-time study no longer the only or most viable route for many.
Figures show that student numbers at The Open University in Wales have more than doubled over the past decade, rising from just under 7,000 in 2014/15 to over 16,000 currently – more than double.
Growth accelerated notably during the pandemic – with numbers rising by 32% in 2020/21 – and has continued to climb steadily since. More than half of all part-time higher education students in Wales now study with The Open University.
Despite this sustained growth, funding for flexible higher education has fallen significantly in real terms over the last ten years. In today’s prices, this equates to a reduction of approximately £288 (18.98%) per student compared with 2015/16 levels, placing increasing pressure on provision as student numbers continue to rise.
The University warns that while demand is continuing to rise, the financial support system has not kept pace, placing increasing pressure on provision.
Ben Lewis, Principal and Nation Director of The Open University in Wales, said:
“Flexible learning has moved firmly into the mainstream, becoming central to how many people access education and develop their skills throughout their lives. We are seeing sustained growth in demand from people who are balancing study with work and family commitments, but the current funding model is not keeping pace with that reality.
“Without early action from the new Welsh Government, there is a real risk to the long-term sustainability of flexible higher education. This matters not just for universities, but for Wales’ future workforce, its economic growth, and the delivery of the government’s priorities.
“Flexible higher education plays a critical role in widening participation, enabling people to retrain, upskill and change careers. It helps address workforce shortages in key sectors such as teaching, nursing and social care, and opens up access to higher education for those who may not otherwise have the opportunity.”
The University is calling on the new Welsh Government to take action to safeguard and strengthen the sector. This includes improving funding for flexible provision, protecting maintenance support for part-time students, and increasing the amount part-time students can borrow to cover tuition fees.
The Open University says flexible learning helps retain skills within local communities, enabling people to study and progress without leaving their area.
Many Open University students in Wales use flexible learning to progress in their careers, retrain or access new opportunities while continuing to work and support their families – with learners like Rachel Townsend demonstrating the real-world impact of flexible study.
Rachel, 43, from Ystalyfera, balanced full-time work and raising two children as a single parent while studying for a BA (Hons) in Social Work through a local authority “Grow Our Own” scheme with The Open University.
Previously working in social care support roles, she had reached a ceiling in her career progression without a qualification. Unable to give up work or attend in-person sessions, traditional university was not an option. Flexible learning provided a route into higher education that could fit around family responsibilities and working fulltime.
Since graduating, she has progressed into senior leadership roles within social care, including managing a hospital social work team, and has now launched her own care home business, supporting people with disabilities and complex needs. Alongside her work, she also mentors and supervises Open University social work students herself, helping support the next generation entering the profession.
She said: “Without the flexibility of the OU, I simply would not have been able to study. I was working full time, raising two children on my own and needed to keep earning while improving my qualifications. Traditional university was never a realistic option for me.
“The flexibility meant that I could fit study around my life – often doing coursework in the evenings after the children had gone to bed. It completely changed my future.
“My degree has given me the opportunity to progress in my career, improve my financial stability and ultimately achieve things I never thought would be possible. I’ve gone from feeling stuck in my role to managing teams, mentoring students and now building my own care business supporting others”.
Since 2021/22, 248 social workers have qualified through The Open University in Wales, with annual graduate numbers rising by more than 220%.
