The rest are home-based distance learners.
But there is an invisible group of distance learners, who are not enrolled on these courses.
We also offer accelerated learning enabling distance learners to complete in three years".
Distance learners are still considerably older than the general population of students, as the graph below shows.
At UEL, whose distance learners are growing rapidly in number, 70% of 1,500 such students are over 25.
Lowe's experience of fitting study around his existing work is typical of many distance learners, according to Coady of learndirect.
Via the internet, distance learners can formulate their own curriculum, learn at their own pace and set their own timetable.
For distance learners, who often struggle to combine studying with full-time work, this provides a new flexibility.
There could be specific benefits for distance learners, shy or busy students or those who feel more confident communicating virtually than in real life.
The University of Leicester school of archaeology and ancient history has about 400 undergraduate distance learners and a further 120 students on its three distance-learning master's programmes.
"Distance learners get one hour of coaching a week and one hour of written preparation for each coaching session," says Jonathan Gosling, professor of leadership studies.
