Almost half of students are part-time

The Open University (OU), which offers part-time degrees via distance learning, saw a 15 per cent increase in registrations this academic year.

Key subject areas showing growth included science, technology and engineering.

Soaring interest is not limited to the Open University, which has traditionally catered for part-time learning. West of Scotland University (formerly Paisley) now has at least 10,000 students, more than half its roll, studying part-time.

The credit crunch and financial help with the costs of education are being linked to the popularity of part-time study.

The figures were published by the Part-Time Forum, run by the University of the West of Scotland and the Open University.

There are 272,625 students in Scotland according to recent government figures, of which about 110,000 are part-time.

UWS currently has about 10,000 part-time students, just over half of its student population and the Open University has 14,000 part-timers living in virtually every community across Scotland. Three-quarters of the Open University's students are working while they study.

Peter Syme, director of the OU in Scotland, said: "The big single reason is because you can combine study with work, or study with caring responsibilities.

"We've certainly seen an upturn in numbers. In our October starts, we were running about 15-17 per cent higher than this time last year in recruitment."

He said a Scottish Government expansion of the Individual Learning Account scheme last year gave more people financial help with fees. He added: "There is almost certainly a recession factor at work, partly because people look at their own credentials and qualifications if they are looking at the job market."

He was speaking as both universities prepare for the sixth annual Part-Time Forum conference which showcases cutting-edge technology and expertise in part-time learning.

Dr Anne McGillivray, dean of students at the University of the West of Scotland, said: "The Part-Time Forum plays a hugely important part in the debate around the increasingly important role of part-time students to the Scottish economy."

Minister for schools and skills Keith Brown said:

"We are committed to making part-time and flexible study a workable option for students in Scotland."

The 2010 Part-Time Forum will be held at the Radisson SAS Hotel in Glasgow on Monday 11 January from 10am-4pm.