A GROWING number of young students are enrolling on Open University courses.

In the Manchester, Lancashire, and Cheshire areas 13 per cent more students under the age of 21signed up for undergraduate courses this year.

Figures have shot up from 409 registrations in January 2003 to 462 in January 2004.

Professor David Vincent, the University's Pro-Vice Chancellor, said: "While many people perceive Open University students to be older students, the number of young students who are choosing to study with us continues to increase.

"Younger students are finding that studying with us is financially, socially and intellectually rewarding."

Overall in the North-west, registrations have increased by 0.4 per cent -- from 10,439 to 10,478.

The Open University eventually expects to have recruited 156,000 undergraduates nationwide for its 2003/04 academic year, a total increase of 2.2 per cent.

The proportion of women enrolling in the Open university is also on the increase with 59 per cent of all undergraduates enrolled in 2003/04 being female.

A GROWING number of young students are enrolling on Open University courses.

In the Manchester, Lancashire, and Cheshire areas, 13 per cent more students under the age of 21 signed up for undergraduate courses this year.

Figures have shot up from 409 registrations in January, 2003, to 462 in January, 2004.

Professor David Vincent, the University's Pro-Vice Chancellor, said: "While many people perceive Open University students to be older students, the number of young students who are choosing to study with us continues to increase.

"Younger students are finding that studying with us is financially, socially and intellectually rewarding."

Overall in the North-west, registrations have increased by 0.4 per cent -- from 10,439 to 10,478.

The Open University eventually expects to have recruited 156,000 undergraduates nationwide for its 2003/04 academic year, a total increase of 2.2 per cent.