§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what percentage of students in higher education were classed as mature in each year since 1979.
§ Mr. FormanThe percentages of first-year students on higher education courses in further and higher education institutions in Great Britain classified as mature are shown in the table.
Per cent. 1979 40.0 1980 42.6 1981 42.4 1982 42.0 1983 44.0 1984 44.0 1985 46.7 1986 49.3 1987 48.7 1988 50.5 1989 49.8 1990 50.6 Note:
Mature students are defined as those enrolling on the 1st year of a 1st degree or undergraduate course at age 21 or over, or on a postgraduate course at age 25 or over.