The number of people enrolling with the Open University has reached a record high.

The increase in the number of students – equal to 1.8% on last year – has been attributed to lower tuition fees and the fact that students can continue to work while they learn.

The OU expects the final enrolment figure to be 156,000, a rise of 2.2% on 2003 - its highest number in its 35-year history - with a 5% rise in the number of students aged under-21.

Pro-vice-chancellor Professor David Vincent said the increase was due to the OU's lower fees and part-time courses.

He said: "Open University students can earn while they learn and fit their university around their work and personal commitments."

Students at full-time universities in England currently pay £1,125 a year for undergraduate courses.

The OU, which makes use of remote learning-technology, usually allows degrees to be taken part-time over six years, at an average overall cost of £4,100.

Latest figures show that the OU supported 21,648 students in financing their studies last year.