Commenting on the publication today of the higher education initial participation rate (HEIPR) for 2013-14 by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Professor Les Ebdon, Director of Fair Access to Higher Education, said:
“The return to the rising trends seen before the introduction of higher fees is excellent news. It shows that young people continue to see the value of higher education.
“We know from UCAS data that this rise includes increasing proportions of students from under-represented groups, such as those from low-income backgrounds, care leavers, or disabled people. This rise continues into the 2014-15 academic year. OFFA has supported that progress through our approval and monitoring of universities’ and colleges’ efforts to improve access. [note 1]
“However, despite this progress there is still a long way to go before young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are as likely to go to university as those who grew up with more advantages. Also, the fall in part-time entry from 6 per cent to 4 per cent in this year’s HEIPR is a concern since part-time students are more likely to come from under-represented groups.
“I will continue to challenge universities and colleges to address these issues, particularly those with the most selective entry requirements, where the gaps are widest. I recently approved a set of access agreements for 2016-17 in which universities and colleges made ambitious plans to improve access and support students to reach their full potential.”
ENDS
For further information, contact Zita Adamson, OFFA Communications Manager (0117 931 7272) or Sophie Mason, OFFA Press and Communications Adviser (0117 931 7204), or email press@offa.org.uk.
Notes to editors
- The main way OFFA supports progress is by approving and monitoring access agreements – documents in which universities and colleges set out their tuition fees and how they plan to improve/sustain access, e.g. outreach work such as summer schools or financial support such as bursaries. All publicly funded universities and colleges in England must have an access agreement approved by OFFA in order to be allowed to charge higher tuition fees. More information about how access agreements have supported progress