Figures published today by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) show steady progress in widening participation and further improvements in the numbers of students gaining a qualification
04 June 2009
Key findings include:
- the largest ever percentage of people going to university from state schools and low participation neighbourhoods;
- more young people than ever before going into HE from lower socio -economic groups, although figures show that the proportion has slightly decreased by 0.4 percent; and
- a projection that 86 per cent of full time degree starters will leave Higher Education with a qualification, the highest number in 10 years.
The figures also show a wide variance of performance by universities against the benchmark targets they set themselves on widening participation and non continuation rates.
Today John Denham has written to HEFCE for views on what may be causing the changes in the 2007/08 Performance Indicators, looking at differences between different types of institution and any advice it could offer on further action that might be taken.
Universities Secretary John Denham said:
“This Government has worked hard to widen participation and today’s figures reflect the steady progress we have made. The overall number of students from lower socio economic groups has risen and is at its highest point in 7 years. Completion rates are at a 10 year high with 86 per cent of full time students leaving higher education with a qualification, this at a time of rapid growth in student numbers.
“But what today’s figures also show is that there are wide variations between the performance of different institutions against their benchmarks in both widening participation and non-continuation rates. We need to explain why this is if we are to make further progress which is why I am writing to HEFCE today to explore what further action we can take and what part the QAA could play in creating greater visibility and a better understanding of retention rates and variations between institutions.”
Notes to editors:
- For a full set of the figures go to http://www.hesa.ac.uk
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John Denham’s letter to HEFCE is available at http://www.dius.gov.uk/~/media/publications/D/denham_hefce_letter_04june09
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Recently John Denham gave evidence to the IUSS Select Committee
setting out his thoughts about the role of the QAA. Details of the evidence can be found at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmselect/cmdius/uc170-v/uc17002.htm
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The Performance Indicators cover the following areas:
• Widening participation indicators, that is, the proportion of entrants from various under-represented groups such as state schools or colleges, specified socio-economic classes and low-participation neighbourhoods
• Students who are in receipt of Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
• Non-continuation rates of students at institutions
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This government is committed to widening participation. Steady progress is being made due to our continued long-term investment. The PIs show this improvement over the long term. There is much more that we can and are doing including:
• Improving attainment in schools – 64 per cent of 15yr olds achieving 5 A*-C GCSEs this year – up 19% since 1997
• investing £90m pa on Aimhigher & Aimhigher Associates (mentor 21,000 students), with the national scheme launched this year
• Implementing NCEE recommendations – looking at how to improve IAG and strengthen links with schools and colleges (Implementation Plan published February)
• New Opportunities WP– guaranteed package of support for bright young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to attend university
• As part of the New opportunities white Paper the “Group of 11” initiative, announced, which sees a self-selecting group of universities working together to recognise each other widening participation schemes
• In April, HEFCE & OFFA asked each HEI for Widening Participation Strategic Assessment. PAC says these will help ensure universities demonstrate their efforts to attract and recruit talent from all backgrounds
• In 2008/09 teenagers from the poorest homes went to university in greater numbers than ever before, according to UCAS figures for entry to University in 2008/2009 the number of young people going to university from poorer backgrounds rose by over 8%, compared to a 3.8% rise for those from more privileged backgrounds
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Non-continuation looks at students who were registered in one year (in this case 2006/7), but are not there in the following year (2007/08). Note that a few of these students may have qualified at the end of their first year, either with a first degree (for example if they have transferred from a diploma course) or with another undergraduate qualification.
The projected non-completion rates projects what proportion of the full-time first degree starters in 2006/07 are likely to not have completed after a period of fifteen years, based on the current pattern of students at the institution.
