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Information for specific groups |
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Learners from rural & coastal areas |
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Learners in rural & coastal areas These areas are often remote from services and facilities, and many residents have to travel a considerable distance to access further and higher education provision. A study by UCAS in 1999 found that the average distance travelled to Higher Education establishments by residents of rural communities was 93 miles. If you are able to move into halls of residence or other student accommodation, this is hardly any more difficult than for any other students living at some distance from the HEI, but if you wish to or need to study from home it is far more problematic. There are many transport issues for residents of rural areas. These include the cost of both public and private transport, with the extra cost due to the distances involved, and a lack of access to transport facilities, especially later in the day or in poor weather conditions. Most HEIs will be sympathetic to these issues, especially those that have larger numbers of students from their surrounding rural/coastal populations. There may be some flexibility in timetabling, and learning resources are often available on-line, so if you have to miss a lecture because of transport problems, you can download the lecturer's notes and handouts. Sections of the course may also be delivered through a Virtual Learning Environment and can be studied and worked on off campus. Many adults from rural & coastal areas have studied part-time with the Open University, using distance learning as their main form of study, backed up by short periods of residential study in a regional HEI, and there are increasing numbers of young people following this route. Click here to read Vicky's story Commission for Rural Communities website
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