§ Mr. Nigel EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the number of students entering higher education for each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BoswellThe table gives the number of first-year students on higher education courses at publicly funded higher education institutions in Great Britain from 1979 onwards. It includes both UK and overseas domiciled students.
Academic Year Student numbers (000s) 1979 327.4 1980 340.4 1981 355.4 1982 356.9 1983 365.4 1984 370.3 1985 391.2 1986 410.3 1987 415.4 1988 438.3 1989 473.2 1990 511.5 1991 587.3 The number of students in higher education has expanded even faster than the rate of growth envisaged in the 1991 higher education White Paper. Over one in four young people were entering higher education in 1992. Government spending plans provide for an increase of 104,000 or 13 per cent. in higher education student numbers during the next three years. This will allow the current record levels of participation to be maintained and give institutions a period during which to consolidate their recent achievements.