The results are in! In March, we sent out our 2026 Distance Learning Alumni Survey to find out:
- what motivated our distance learning alumni to study
- whether it helped them achieve their goals
- did it help their personal and professional development
- what kind of experience did they have
- and, finally, would they recommend ARU distance learning
So, who replied?
We received 268 responses; the vast majority graduated in the last three years.
92% were employed while studying with us and, whilst they were employed across a variety of sectors, a significant percentage were employed in the healthcare and education sectors.
When they started studying they were mostly employed at mid-level (24%) and mid-level manager (19%) and supervisor/junior manager level (12%).
Outcomes
How did they rate the experience and support?
We asked our distance learning alumni how they rated their experience studying with us, around certain themes such as tutor knowledge and student support. This is what they told us:
- 93% rated their tutor’s knowledge and support either ‘good’ or ‘excellent’.
- 85% rated the student support services they received as either ‘good’ or ‘excellent’.
- 34% took advantage of the online networking facilities/opportunities to connect with other students. Of those that did, half of them found it ‘very helpful’.
- 97% said they found studying via distance learning either ‘very accessible’ or ‘quite accessible’.
- 90% found it easy to find time to study or with some juggling of priorities and support from others.
What were the primary reasons for studying a distance learning degree?
We asked our alumni what motivated them to undertake their course in the first instance (they were allowed to pick more than one reason) and this is what they told us:
- 50% said they wanted to increase their chances of gaining a promotion and salary increase
- 56% wanted the knowledge and skills to gain more respect and responsibility at work
- 42% wanted to gain a HE qualification
- 26% said they always wanted to study that subject
- 17% wanted to change their careers
And did we help them meet their goals?
- 46% had changed or started to change their career since completing their course
- 43% had received a promotion
- 54% had received a salary increase
- 67% had been trusted with more responsibility at work
Other positive outcomes include:
- 91% felt ‘much more confident’ or more confident’ at work
- 84% had gained more personal growth and confidence
