Profits rise as we click with internet tuition

Hibernia College netted a pre-tax profit of €612,000 in the year to the end of January 2010, up nearly 20% on the previous year.

Staff costs increased from €2.9m to €3.6m per year over the same period.

Fees for online tuition range from €99 for short courses aimed at teachers, and €8,950 for a two-year teacher training qualification, up to €17,000 for a two-year masters degree in pharmaceutical medicine.

College President Dr Sean Rowland owns a 56% share of the company.

He told the Irish Independent: "All the profits are ploughed back into the college. Nobody has taken a penny out of it in profit.''

Irish Independent