Carmel McMahon, Associate Dean International at The Open University Business School said: "Our international reach and unique student-support model ensures we can provide a high-quality British education to our students in their countries, rather than requiring students to travel to the UK."

"The economic downturn is being experienced globally, but our practice-based approach to business and management education enables students to improve their career prospects without having to give up their jobs and to continue their studies if relocated."

The Open University Business School has seen an increase in the number of new MBA students in Continental Europe, while numbers in Russia and Romania are holding their ground. It has also very successfully just launched the BA in Business Studies programme in southern Africa.

Richard Wheatcroft, Masters Programme Director at The Open University Business School, confirmed the upward trend saying: "In our experience, people who lose their jobs often decide that it's a good time to do an MBA while the labour market is unattractive."

"Studying through us allows them flexibility between study and pursuing new employment, ensuring they do not miss any opportunities. And those in employment also have an incentive to take up further studies, as they want to make themselves more valuable to their employer."