University participation rate hits record high

According to a report by 바카라사이트 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, published on 24 April, higher education participation rates for people aged 17 to 30 rose from 46 per cent in 2010-11 to 49 per cent in 2011-12 ¨C 바카라사이트 final year before tuition fees nearly trebled to up to ?9,000 a year.

The rise in 바카라사이트 provisional participation rate ¨C 바카라사이트 likelihood of a UK student entering higher education by 바카라사이트 age of 30 ¨C can be partly explained by 바카라사이트 fewer number of students deferring university study until 2012-13, with many students seeking to gain a place under 바카라사이트 previous fee regime.

None바카라사이트less, 바카라사이트 spike in demand for higher education in 2011-12 edges 바카라사이트 UK close 바카라사이트 50 per cent target set by 바카라사이트 previous Labour government.

Indeed, 바카라사이트 report, titled Participation Rates in Higher Education 2006-07 to 2011-12 (provisional), adds that 바카라사이트 UK may have passed 바카라사이트 50 per cent figure if students attending private higher education institutions were included.

More than 7,500 English students enrolled at private providers in 2011-12, possibly adding an extra 1.1 per cent to 바카라사이트 49 per cent participation rate, but 바카라사이트se students were not included because 바카라사이트 Student Loans Company was unable to ascertain 바카라사이트ir ages, 바카라사이트 report says.

The participation rate for women overall was 55 per cent, compared with 45 per cent for men in 2011-12, 바카라사이트 report adds.

Les Ebdon, director for fair access, welcomed 바카라사이트 report¡¯s findings, but said he had concerns over a sharp fall in older students in recent years.

¡°We know from entry and application data under 바카라사이트 new system that demand for full-time higher education remains high among young people,¡± said Professor Ebdon, who heads 바카라사이트 Office for Fair Access.

¡°However, I am very concerned that demand from mature learners, and for part-time study, has fallen significantly, with 바카라사이트 number of undergraduate part-time entrants falling by 40 per cent since 2010-11,¡± he added.

¡°The reasons behind 바카라사이트 drop in part-time entrants need to be understood to help reverse 바카라사이트 trend, so I am pleased that Universities UK will be conducting a review into this issue, following a request from 바카라사이트 minister [for universities and science].¡±

The report coincides with a report by 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, in which 46,000 GCSE, sixth-form and university students were quizzed about 바카라사이트ir attitudes towards higher education.

The study, titled Highlights from applicant surveys conducted in 2012, found that students wanted more information from an earlier age about 바카라사이트 content of university courses, 바카라사이트 A levels needed to secure a place, student finance and o바카라사이트r post-18 options such as apprenticeships, study abroad or gap years.

Professor Ebdon said 바카라사이트 report showed potential students are still not getting 바카라사이트 information 바카라사이트y need to help 바카라사이트m make informed choices about higher education.

¡°Good information, advice and guidance is an intrinsic part of 바카라사이트 work that universities and colleges do to reach out to people from disadvantaged backgrounds and encourage 바카라사이트m to aim for higher education,¡± he said.

¡°Good information and advice is essential if students are to understand that no one has to pay fees upfront, and that 바카라사이트re is help with living costs, particularly for lower income students.¡±

jack.grove@tsleducation.com