§ Mr. Guy Barnettasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of students at (a) universities and (b) polytechnics come straight from school; what percentage of (a) polytechnic and (b) university students are over 20 years of age; and what percentage of students (a) at polytechnics and (b) universities have had previous work experience.
§ Mr. WaldegraveIn 1980–81, about 36 per cent. of full-time and sandwich undergraduate students are at universities in Great Britain were aged 21 and over. The corresponding figure for all full-time and sandwich students on advanced courses in polytechnics in England and Wales was 50 per cent., while for all students on advanced courses in polytechnics in England and Wales, including part-time, the percentage was 61 per cent. Information on students' previous work experience is not available; nor is direct information on those coming straight from school. However, by considering information from various sources, it is estimated that around 75 per cent. of home full-time entrants to undergraduate courses at universities come straight from school, while the figure for degree courses in polytechnics is likely to be of the order of 35 per cent.