§ Mr. GorrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many of those aged(a) under 21, (b) 21 to 24 and (c) 25 years and over, registered in England, applied through UCAS for admission to a course of higher education for the (i) 1994, (ii) 1995, (iii) 1996, (iv) 1997 and (v) 1998 entry cycles; what were the numbers of the population in England aged (a) to (c) for (i) to (v); and what was the proportion of those applying as a percentage of the appropriate population cohort. [47272]
§ Dr. HowellsFigures on English domiciled UCAS applicants to full time first degree, HND and DipHE courses in the UK by age and relevant English population from 1994 to 1998 are given in the table. Final applicant figures are shown for 1994 to 1997 together with the latest available, as at 16 May, in the current application cycle for 1998 entry, compared with corresponding figures as at 17 May 1997. The latest figures show that applications from young people so far this year are 1.6 per cent. higher than at the same stage last year. Even when population movements are taken into account the rate of applications is similar to last year. Furthermore, while mature applicant members are down, demographic factors have affected these. Another factor may be the strong labour market.
English domiciled UCAS applicants to full time first degree, HND and DipHE courses in UK by age and relevant English population 1994–1998 Age group/year Applicants Population1 Proportion(%)2 Age under 21 1994 222,739 1,751,839 12.7 1995 222,764 1,689,185 13.2 1996 223,989 1,654,311 13.5 1997 246,716 1,693,590 14.6 19973 232,681 1,693,590 13.7 19983 236,302 1,776,522 13.3 Age 21 to 24 1994 35,005 2,822,061 1.2 1995 35,121 2,717,868 1.3 1996 31,617 2,583,813 1.2 1997 34,615 2,460,902 1.4 19973 26,104 2,460,902 1.1 19983 23,096 2,354,387 1.0 Age 25 and over 1994 46,892 11,231,696 0.4 1995 48,098 11,369,756 0.4 1996 44,858 11,506,630 0.4 1997 48,082 11,568,986 0.4 19973 35,830 11,568,986 0.3 19983 30,241 11,562,875 0.3 1The English population cohorts used are aged 18 to 20, 21 to 24, 25 to 39 and are mid-year estimates. The ages of UCAS applicants are as at 30 September in year of entry 2These give the proportion of the age group shown who applied in the given year. Because some of the age group may apply in later years, the proportions do not indicate the full take up of higher education over time by these age groups 3The latest available figures for 1998 entry are as at 16 May and comparable figures for 1997 are given as well as final totals of applicants for that year. Final applicant figures are given for earlier years