With the increase in fees that students (both young and mature) going up it was always going to have an impact on people wanting to study.

Figures out have shown a drop in applications which of course is no surprise to anyone but many of the people not applying is from mature students.

Many mature students will still have a job and will want to learn part time either through a University or the OU.  However now the fees have gone up this might not be a options as the extra financial pressure will not be welcomed by most.

Although learning can be done freely online you will of course not have a certificate to say you know the subject well enough but it still does not stop you from learning.

Many of the mature students may now consider a part time OU course but only if they are in no rush as a degree will take many years but on the other side the cost is spread out and can become more affordable for most people.