Two years ago, Ellie Ball could barely bring herself to attend school. Today, the 16-year-old is planning to take four A-levels and hopes to study astrolaw – “It’s basically space law,” she explains – at university.

With budgets squeezed and the UK Employment Rights Act 2025 raising the stakes, distance learning is no longer second best. 

Demand for flexible higher education in Wales is growing rapidly but a lack of funding could threaten future access to study, the Open University has said.