Higher Education (Hansard, 18 July 1995)

§ Mr. Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his strategic plan for higher education in the further education sector. [34743]
1116W

§ Mr. Ancram
Criteria setting a framework for the development of higher education courses in further education colleges were announced in February 1993. In addition, an advisory group was set up to advise on the development of such work in this sector. That group reported in December 1994, recommending a control on growth in full-time higher level provision of some 5 per cent. to 10 per cent.
In line with the policy of consolidation in the number of full-time higher education students throughout the United Kingdom, overall intake levels for such courses in further education in 1995–96 will be allowed to rise by no more than 10 per cent. as compared with 1994–95. Colleges can, though, develop programmes through the part-time mode, subject to normal approval procedures.

§ Mr. Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what specific proposals he has for expanding the number of higher education places in Northern Ireland. [34748]

§ Mr. Ancram
None. In line with present Government policy for the United Kingdom, full-time undergraduate higher education places in Northern Ireland universities are constrained to a level consistent with the 1993–94 age participation index.
Part-time and postgraduate places are not subject to this constraint.

§ Mr. Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what(a) numbers and (b) percentage of Northern Ireland students who have gained places in higher education institutions studied outside the Province in each of the past 10 years. [35328]

§ Mr. Ancram
The information is available only for the years 1985–86 to 1993–94 for new entrants to higher education courses, and is as follows:

Total new entrants Total studying outside NI Percentage studying outside NI

1985–86 11,857 2,552 21.5

1986–87 11,803 2,677 22.7

1987–88 12,581 2,928 23.3

1988–89 13,537 3,406 25.2

1989–90 14,816 4,015 27.1

1990–91 15,952 4,184 26.2

1991–92 17,168 4,312 25.1

1992–93 18,949 5,078 26.8

1993–94 20,410 5,494 26.9

	Total new entrants	Total studying outside NI	Percentage studying outside NI
1985–86	11,857	2,552	21.5
1986–87	11,803	2,677	22.7
1987–88	12,581	2,928	23.3
1988–89	13,537	3,406	25.2
1989–90	14,816	4,015	27.1
1990–91	15,952	4,184	26.2
1991–92	17,168	4,312	25.1
1992–93	18,949	5,078	26.8
1993–94	20,410	5,494	26.9