HC Deb 18 July 1996 vol 281 cc665-6W
Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what analysis he has conducted of the characteristics of students entering further education; and if he will make a statement. [37208]

Mr. Ancram

Analysis which has been conducted on the profile of further education students has related to all such students, rather than entrants alone. This indicates that, in 1994–95, 71 per cent. of further education enrolments were part-time; 60 per cent. were female; 52 per cent. were aged 19 years or under and 34 per cent. aged 26 years or over; 25 per cent. were studying "science only" subjects and 42 per cent. "arts only"; and the breakdown of enrolments by course was A/AS level 11 per cent. GCSE 15 per cent., Business and Technician Education Council 17 percent., city and guilds 17 percent., Royal Society of Arts 18 per cent., professional bodies 6 per cent., others 16 per cent.