Careers built on distance learning

A starting position as a bank teller can lead to bigger things. Photograph: Alamy

James Elwood left school with a clutch of good A-level grades, but despite pressure from his teachers to consider university he took an entry-level job as bank cashier.

Four years and several promotions later, he works for Santander as a business manager, providing advice and support to small companies. He has also completed a degree in business studies with the Open University, which delivers all its courses via distance learning – an experience he thinks has played a key role in his success.

"When I had to write essays, I was analysing my experiences with the companies I worked for, so the process helped me become a better employee," he explains.

Combining work with distance learning has allowed Nick Walker to set up his own business at the age of 19. He is currently taking a degree-equivalent course in games development via the online learning provider train2game. The course typically takes about three years to complete. In the meantime, he earns an income from his app development company Icey Monty, which he set up with fellow student John Esslemont.

According to Zoe Molyneux, external affairs and communications manager at the Studentroom, the UK's biggest online forum for students, more young people are exploring distance and part-time learning options. "This is partly down to rising tuition fees, but also questions about whether a degree will guarantee them a job at the end. So they're keen to find out if there are other ways of achieving their goals," she says.

In recognition of this, more colleges and higher education institutions are upping the range of part-time and distance learning they offer, including blended learning (a mix of distance and face-to-face learning), foundation degrees (two-year courses with a focus on work-based learning) and more vocational courses like higher national certificates.

Walker feels he made the right choice. Not only does the money he is making cover the cost of his studies, but he is debt-free and can afford to take time out when it suits him – he plans to spend a couple of months later in the year skiing. "I've got the time and the funds to actually have a social life as well, which is good."

Now 22, Elwood owns his own home and car and thinks he is "four rungs up the ladder" from friends who chose the university route. "Instead of being 22 with a degree and one year of work experience, I've got a degree and nearly five years of work experience behind me ... I don't regret my decision one bit."

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