But for one elder West Yorkshire student it is more a way of life as he prepares to celebrate 38 years in higher education.

Tony Haskins, 64, has studied with the Open University in Leeds since he moved to Dewsbury in 1975.

Today, he boasts a remarkable amount of qualifications including a Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts and Advanced Diploma in Educational Management.

Tony spent six years studying his first degree to get a job as an electrical engineer in Zambia before going on to lecture at colleges in Dewsbury and York.

And the ex-Huddersfield University lecturer admits that without the OU he would have struggled to progress his career.

"I got married and had a kiddy and when you start work there's no chance of doing conventional university work.

"It (the Open Univeristy] just made thisngs a lot easier – I wouldn't have been able to go to Zambia because they wanted a degree," he said.

Tony registered with the OU to do a foundation course in maths in 1971 – two years after the scheme was launched by West Yorkshire born Prime Minister Harold Wilson.

Now the ex-university lecturer looks set to add to his impressive CV as he closes in on a Certificate in Astronomy and Planetary Science.

He said: "A number of years ago I said 'that's it, I'm done' but basically I started looking at the OU brochures and they were running courses in volcanics and astronomy and I just found it fascinating."

The Leeds Regional Centre of the OU will pay special tribute to Tony at its 40th anniversary celebrations in Trevelyan Square next Saturday, July 11.

There will be a screening of archive Open University footage and a prize-giving presentation before the centre opens its doors to the general public for a exhibitions and competitions.

The Open University was founded in April 1969 amid hostility and criticism from MPs and the general public, but it has gone on to become one of the success stories of Wilson's premiership.
For more details visit www.open.ac.uk/yorkshire.