Web-based business and management courses run by Oxford Brookes Business School have been so successful that they have been expanded.

By the end of a pilot programme more than 50 people were waiting to sign up for the next one, said the university.

Managers study for eight hours a week over six months to learn the business and management tools to build realistic business plans.

The programme, set up with funding from Seeda (South East England Development Agency) in collaboration with industry, have been designed for the aerospace, automotive engineering, bioscience, IT and opto-electronics industries. There is also an advanced course for managers who wish to develop further.

Designed to meet the needs of busy managers, especially the tech sector, the course materials are portable and flexible and accommodate individual work patterns and lifestyles.

Each successful participant will receive a certificate.