80 likes | 192 Views
N ot coming to the Ball? – Part-time and mature students. Mary Stuart Vice Chancellor University of Lincoln. The overall situation Differences between and within Complexity and UUK’s review.
E N D
Not coming to the Ball? – Part-time and mature students Mary Stuart Vice Chancellor University of Lincoln
The overall situation • Differences between and within • Complexity and UUK’s review
Overall Situation – data from HEFCE Higher Education in England Impact of 2012 reforms+UCAS Jan, 13 info • 40% drop in 2012 enrolments from base of 2010 (so a drop in 11/12 as well) • Part-time PG also dropped – 27% - why? • UG fees went up and loans introduced • Didn’t fully understand system (lack on info) • Didn’t like system (particularly mature pt but also employers) • Proportion of employers paying fees decreased but has been in decline since the early 2000s. • ELQs not eligible for loans
Overall situation • Drop for young students only 1.7% in 12 • For mature (over 20) fell by 7.1% despite demographics seeing increases in this group (20s and 30s). • Over 30s fall in apps for 13 and greatest fall for over 40s. • Despite frightening headlines of 40% - the issue has been developing for some time.
Differences between and within • 79 % of part-time enrolments in 2010 were over 25 • 13% of full-time enrolments were over 25 • Youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds were twice as likely to study part-time than those from more advantaged backgrounds. • 2/3rds of part-time students have family commitments usually women. (Claire will say more) • Hence there is a connection between part-time and mature but there are differences between
Differences between and within • Typology • Difference between students studying part-time because of improved career prospects – could well be ELQ or PG may be employer funded highly focused on qualification – may be short qualification • Students studying to develop themselves full or part-time often older for the love of it again - could be ELQ or PG • PT more likely women also as mature • PT and mature also make contribution to WP – people who missed out as young people – Forces for example
Evidence from UALL • Over 80 institutions in membership across sector and across different nations • Students did not understand changes • Students were fearful of debt (especially mature) • Employers did not want to pay or encourage debt • ELQ issue (decline over time) • Subject mix varied • Drop in other countries not just England
UUK review • Lots of things we do not know mostly because focus has been on young full –time and we have better data – evidence I have presented mixed • UUK review chaired by Eric Thomas, supported by Fiona Hoban and Fiona Waye membership from across sector + employers and NUS • Call for evidence now – will be working on this until end of the year.