HC Deb 07 July 2003 vol 408 cc622-4W
Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students took(a) GCSEs and (b) GNVQs in each of the last 10 years, broken down by region. [122848]

Mr. Miliband

The numbers of students attempting GCSEs and GNVQs in each region since 1997 are as follows. The figures have not been provided for the year period, as there are no GNVQ data available prior to 1997.

of study and (c) successfully completing a course of study. [121754]

Alan Johnson

The available information showing the proportion of young (under 21) people from each social class who enter higher education is shown in the following table.

Age participation index (API)1 by social class 1991–2001
Percentages
Year of entry
Social class 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
V 6 9 11 11 12 13 14 13 13 14 15
I-IIIn 35 40 43 46 47 48 48 45 45 48 50
IIIm-V 11 14 16 17 17 18 18 17 17 18 19
1The API is defined as the number of UK domiciled under 21 initial entrants to full-time and sandwich courses expressed as a proportion of averaged 18–19 year old GB population.

Notes:

where I Professional, II Intermediate, IIIn Skilled (non-manual), IIIm Skilled (manual), IV Partially skilled and V Unskilled.

Information on completion and non-completion rates of HE students is published annually by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) in "Performance Indicators in Higher Education (HE)", but these figures do not separately identify students by social class. The latest available data for students from all social classes are shown in the following table.

Projected learning outcomesFull-time students starting first degree courses in UK HE Institutions
Percentages
Projected Outcomes1
Students starting in: Obtained degree Obtained no qualification Other2
1996/97 80 18 2
1997/98 81 17 2
1998/99 81 17 2
1999/2000 81 17 2
1 The projected outcomes are calculated on the assumption that the progression paths of new entrants will be the same as those for students currently in the system.
2 Includes students who obtain undergraduate qualifications other than a degree (e.g. an HMD).

Figures published in 2002 by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) show that the UK as a whole has one of the lowest non-completion rates among OECD countries.

The Government are committed to raising the participation rates for people from less affluent backgrounds, and has introduced the AimHigher campaign, which is targeted at raising attainment and aspirations among young people who traditionally would not consider going to university.

Huw Irranca-Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportional change the Government expects in(a) the number of (i) foundation degrees and (ii) part-time study and work-based degrees and (b) the proportion of students choosing to live at home while studying on the basis of the proposals in the White Paper The Future of Higher Education. [121756]

Alan Johnson

In the academic year 2002/2003 around 12,000 students studied Foundation Degrees. There are plans to grow that number to 20,000 places by 2005/2006. Discussions are taking place with HEFCE about providing further student places for Foundation Degrees in 2004/2005 and 2005/2006, HEFCE will publish details about this in the autumn.

Figures published in the DfES 2003 Departmental Report predict that the proportion of part-time students (undergraduate and postgraduate) will be 42.4 per cent. in 2004/05. Work based degrees and not clearly defined and we do not have separate statistics for work based degrees.

In academic year 2001/02 (latest provisional data), the proportion of higher education students in England and Wales who are eligible for the home rate of loan under the student supportscheme funding arrangements is 21 per cent. This information is not available for future years.

Mr. Dismore

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what fee charging arrangements will be in place for higher education fees levied from Turkish Cypriots visiting the UK for higher education courses, after Cyprus joins the EU; and if he will make a statement.[R] [123189]

Alan Johnson

When Cyprus becomes a member of the EU, Turkish Cypriots who are nationals of the Republic of Cyprus and studying on full time first degree courses in Higher Education Institutions in England and Wales, will become eligible for support for their tuition fees.