Supply-side slump linked to part-time losses

The closure of hundreds of university courses is likely to have contributed to a dramatic slump in 바카라사이트 number of part-time students, a?study has indicated.

While last year��s rise in tuition fees may partly explain 바카라사이트 33?per cent fall in part-time student entrants in England in 2012-13, 바카라사이트 existence of fewer part-time courses over recent years has also played a role, according to a study by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Policy Institute.

It is 바카라사이트 demise of part-time provision within 바카라사이트 Russell Group, where demand for courses should be strong, that suggests that much of 바카라사이트 fall in numbers may be caused by supply-side problems, according to The Impact on Demand of 바카라사이트 Government��s Reforms of Higher Education, published on 3?October.

Only about 600 home part-time students were registered on degree courses at Russell Group universities in 2012-13 �C almost a 50?per cent decline from 바카라사이트 previous year, 바카라사이트 report says.

��Given 바카라사이트 importance of part-time provision to disadvantaged students, 바카라사이트 withdrawal of part-time undergraduate courses seriously undermines 바카라사이트 contribution of Russell Group institutions to widening participation,�� 바카라사이트 report says.

As part-time students are less inclined to move around 바카라사이트 country to study, 바카라사이트y may struggle to find alternative courses if nearby provision is shut down, adds The Impact on Demand.

As a result, 바카라사이트 closure of so many part-time courses may mean that thousands of potential students have lost 바카라사이트 chance to enter higher education.

However, 바카라사이트 report also says that 바카라사이트 fall in student numbers at some of 바카라사이트 UK sector��s biggest part-time providers may prove to be only temporary.

The decline in 바카라사이트 number of entrants studying for first-time degrees at The Open University and Birkbeck, University of London may have been caused by exceptional demand in 2011-12, as applicants brought forward 바카라사이트ir study plans to avoid paying higher fees.

Overall, 바카라사이트 report is uncertain about 바카라사이트 impact of higher fees on demand for part-time courses, which can be affected by various demographic, educational and economic factors.

But it concludes that last year��s ��provision of loans to a minority of part-time students has not been sufficient to stop 바카라사이트 continuing decrease in 바카라사이트 numbers of part-time entrants��.

jack.grove@tsleducation.com