Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
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University participation at record high
Figures published today show a 2 per cent increase in the participation rate for young people. The provisional Higher Education Initial Participation Rate (HEIPR) for 2008/09 was 45 per cent, up from the 2007/08 final figure of 43 per cent.
Increasing participation in higher education is one of the key goals of the government’s framework for higher education, Higher Ambitions.
Welcoming the provisional Higher Education Initial Participation Rate (HEIPR Lord Mandelson, Secretary of State for BIS said:
"Today's statistics show that we continue to make good progress towards this Government's aspiration that 50 per cent of 18 to 30 year olds should go on to study higher education, indeed, over 50 per cent of women now do. This aspiration is important not for the sake of a target, but because Britain's economy needs skilled graduates to innovate, grow and secure the recovery. A university education also sets students up to succeed across their lifetimes and a British degree is still a great investment for any individual."
David Lammy, Minister for Higher Education added:
“Despite the progress these statistics show we are not complacent and we remain determined to further open up university education to people from all backgrounds. For this reason and in response to the increase we have seen in the number of applications to higher education, we have announced funding for an additional 20,000 undergraduate places for 2010/11 in areas which are a priority for the economy. These will be a mix of full-time, part-time and Foundation places, reflecting the needs of the changing student body and will increase the number of young people able to go on to higher education still further."
The HEIPR can be found at http://stats.berr.gov.uk/UKSA/he/sa20100331.htm
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities and promote an open global economy. BIS - Investing in our future.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Emma Griffiths
Phone: 020 7215 5982
Emma.Griffiths@bis.gsi.gov.uk
