Andrew McGrath, commercial director of Virgin Media Business, has said that Lord Browne’s plans for higher education funding could encourage students to choose distance learning over more traditional forms of education as a way to reduce the financial strains of going to university.

Writing on the broadband company’s blog, Mr McGrath commented: “Innovations such as podcast lectures and seminars via videoconference could mean that more students are able to get a great education, without breaking the bank.”

With the cost of university looking likely to rise, Mr McGrath suggested that more students could choose distance learning as a lower-cost alternative to university.