More women shun degrees in favour of starting businesses

The number of female entrepreneurs will "explode" as more women start their own businesses instead of going to university, an expert said today.

Members of the so-called "world is my oyster" generation want to become their own boss and will skip degrees to do so, according to Alexandra Beauregard, professor of employment relations and organisational behaviour at the London School of Economics.

Her report, commissioned by Avon cosmetics, found that 72 per cent of the 2,000 women questioned hoped to be their own boss. She said: "Currently, three quarters of all self-employed people are men, but this is set to change.

"Perceptions of the economic climate were a main driver for people wanting to start their own businesses.

"The increase in university tuition fees is going to have an impact as well. A lot of people will be put off by the prospect of having long-term debts." Dr Beauregard added: "We coined the phrase 'world is my oyster' generation because these women seem determined to do something despite the economic climate. There was no apathy about them."

Victoria Scholes, a 24-year-old former PA from Staines, set up her own Avon franchise in 2009.

She said: "I didn't go to university. I don't think you need it to start your own business if you have the brains and the support.

"I run the business how I want to, and currently spend around 30 hours a week working. I actually have university students working for me.

"In today's climate getting a job is harder, and I can see why being your own boss is a big pull. I don't think I could go back to working for a boss."

West Ham vice chairman Karren Brady said: "Young women are more determined than ever to be in control of their own destiny.

"As a result they are defining the next generation of entrepreneurship and rewriting the rules in this perceived male-dominated world."