Press Release: University entrance figures worrying
In response to new university entrance figures which show an overall fall in numbers of students.
Shadow Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills David Willetts said:
‘These new figures show how far away ministers are from creating opportunity among younger people. The number of young students is down overall, and the number from poorer backgrounds is also down.
‘Ministers are nowhere near their target of getting 50 per cent of young people to university. We urgently need to provide much better information to young people on issues like their A-Level choices.’
Notes to Editors
1. According to new figures issued by the Higher Education Statistics Agency, the number of full-time, young students fell between 2005/06 and 2006/07. While the proportion from poorer households rose slightly, the number from poorer backgrounds fell due to the overall drop.
Number of full-time, young first-timers
2005/06 261,205
2006/07 250,820
% of full-time first-timers from socio-economic groups 4-7
2005/06 29.3
2006/07 29.8
Number of full-time first-timers from socio-economic groups 4-7
2005/06 76,533
2006/07 74,744
Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency
2. In 2006/07, one-third of A-Level entries (245,000 out of 745,000) were in subjects that universities regard as less valuable. (Statistics provided to David Willetts in a parliamentary answer, 15 May 2008 col.1769W)
3. The proportion of young people going to university fell from 42.5% in 2005/06 to 39.8% in 2006/07. (http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000780/sfrdius02-2008.pdf)