Higher Education (Hansard, 16 May 1995)

§ Mr. Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has to increase the inflow of students from outside Northern Ireland into higher education in Northern Ireland. [23392]

§ Mr. Ancram
None. Universities in Northern Ireland are autonomous and independent bodies and, as such, it is for them to set entry requirements and select students.

Age participation index¹

Percentage

1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–95 1993–94²

19.2 20.1 21.0 22.9 25.6 27.7 29.2 33.4 36.4

Notes:
¹ Does not include agricultural college or nursing college students or students attending institutions outside the United Kingdom.
² 1993–94 figure is provisional.

§ Mr. Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of the appropriate age group has attained university entrance standards in each year since 1979. [23385]

§ Mr. Ancram
Entrance requirements to university vary enormously. As a general guide 2 A-levels or equivalent is often used as the standard entrance requirement. Figures on this basis are available only for 1991–92 and 1992–93,

1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87

Primary 23.8 23.6 23.5 23.3 23.4 23.3 23.4 23.4

Secondary 15.3 15.4 15.4 15.4 15.3 15.2 15.0 14.9

1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94

Primary 23.5 23.2 23.2 22.8 22.6 22.2 21.6

Secondary 14.8 14.8 14.7 14.7 15.1 15.2 15.1

Age participation index¹
Percentage
1985–86	1986–87	1987–88	1988–89	1989–90	1990–91	1991–92	1992–95	1993–94²
19.2	20.1	21.0	22.9	25.6	27.7	29.2	33.4	36.4

	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84	1984–85	1985–86	1986–87
Primary	23.8	23.6	23.5	23.3	23.4	23.3	23.4	23.4
Secondary	15.3	15.4	15.4	15.4	15.3	15.2	15.0	14.9