Higher education student enrolments and qualifications obtained at higher education institutions in the United Kingdom for the academic year 2006/07

Introduction

This Statistical First Release (SFR) has been produced by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) in collaboration with statisticians from the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, the Welsh Assembly Government, the Scottish Executive (Scottish Government) and the Department for Employment and Learning Northern Ireland. It provides details of student enrolments and qualifications obtained by higher education (HE) students at HE institutions (HEIs) in the United Kingdom (UK) for the academic year 2006/07.

Readers should be aware that data definitions sometimes change over time and this can affect the validity of time series comparisons. Within this release any significant changes have been explained in the Notes to Editors and/or Definitions. However, readers should exercise caution when comparing this release to earlier editions or other related publications as definitional changes may not be apparent.

For the reference of readers, The Open University is counted as a wholly English institution. The administrative centre is located in England, although The Open University teaches throughout the UK.

Key Points - Enrolments (All UK HEIs)

• The total number of HE enrolments at UK HEIs stood at 2,362,815 in 2006/07, an increase of 1% from 2005/06.
• Postgraduate enrolments increased by 3% and undergraduate enrolments increased by 1% between 2005/06 and 2006/07.
• 1,451,720 of all enrolments were full-time, an increase in numbers of 1% since 2005/06. The number of part-time enrolments grew by 1% over the same period.
• The number of full-time first year enrolments decreased by 1% between 2005/06 and 2006/07 whereas part-time first year enrolments increased by 2% over the same period.
• Between 2005/06 and 2006/07, the number of enrolments of UK domiciled students showed no percentage increase (from 2,006,035 to 2,011,345). The number of all other European Union (EU) domiciled students increased by 6% (from 106,225 to 112,260) and the number of Non-EU domiciled students increased by 7% (from 223,855 to 239,210).
• 45% of full-time enrolments in 2006/07 were in science subjects, an increase in numbers of 1% between 2005/06 and 2006/07, and an increase in numbers of 8% between 2002/03 and 2006/07.
• 36% of part-time enrolments in 2006/07 were in science subjects, a decrease in numbers of 2% between 2005/06 and 2006/07.

Key Points - Qualifications Obtained (All UK HEIs)

• In 2006/07 there were 319,260 first degree graduates, compared to 315,985 in 2005/06, an increase of 1%.
• Of those gaining a first degree in 2006/07, 13% obtained a first class honours award, an increase of 1 percentage point from 2005/06, and 48% obtained an upper second class honours award, an increase of 1 percentage point from 2005/06.
• 12% of first degree graduates gained their award through part-time study in 2006/07, the same as in 2005/06.
• 57% of first degree graduates in 2006/07 were women, the same as in 2005/06.
• In 2006/07, 42% of first degree graduates achieved their qualification in a science discipline, the same as in the previous year. Of these science graduates, 50% were women, the same as in 2005/06.
• 11,635 students were awarded a foundation degree in 2006/07, compared to 9,275 in 2005/06, an increase of 25%.
• The number awarded other undergraduate qualifications (excluding foundation degrees) was 117,940 in 2006/07, an increase of 1% from 2005/06.
• 202,225 students obtained HE qualifications at postgraduate level in 2006/07. Of these, 28,375 (14%) were awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), 21,135 (10%) completed their studies mainly by research, and a further 152,720 (76%) obtained qualifications after following taught postgraduate courses other than PGCE.
• 50,385 undergraduate and 75,205 postgraduate students obtaining HE qualifications in 2006/07 came from non-UK countries.
• Non-UK students accounted for 19% of all students awarded HE qualifications in 2006/07.

Key Points - Enrolments (England only)

• The total number of HE enrolments at English HEIs stood at 1,957,195 in 2006/07, an increase of 1% from 2005/06. Postgraduate enrolments increased by 2% and undergraduate enrolments increased by 1% between 2005/06 and 2006/07.
• 1,187,635 of all enrolments were full-time, an increase in numbers of 1% since 2005/06. The number of part-time enrolments grew by 1% from 2005/06.
• The number of full-time first year enrolments decreased by 2% between 2005/06 and 2006/07 whereas part-time first year enrolments increased by 1% over the same period.
• Between 2005/06 and 2006/07, the number of enrolments of UK domiciled students showed no percentage change (from 1,660,630 to 1,666,310). The number of all other European Union (EU) domiciled students increased by 6% (from 84,185 to 89,140) and the number of Non-EU domiciled students increased by 5% (from 191,610 to 201,740).

Key Points - Qualifications Obtained (England only)

• In 2006/07 there were 262,375 first degree graduates compared to 260,630 in 2005/06, an increase of 1%.
• Of those gaining a first degree in 2006/07, 12% obtained a first class honours award and 47% obtained an upper second class honours award.
• 56% of first degree graduates in 2006/07 were women, the same as in 2005/06.
• 11,000 students were awarded a foundation degree in 2006/07, compared to 8,820 in 2005/06, an increase of 25%.
• 167,875 students obtained HE qualifications at postgraduate level in 2006/07, an increase of 2% from 2005/06.

Key Points - Enrolments (Wales only)

• The total number of HE enrolments at Welsh HEIs stood at 131,765 in 2006/07, an increase of 2% from 2005/06. Postgraduate enrolments increased by 9% and undergraduate enrolments showed no percentage increase between 2005/06 and 2006/07.
• 77,180 of all enrolments were full-time, an increase in numbers of 3% since 2005/06. The number of part-time enrolments grew by 1% over the same period.
• The number of full-time first year enrolments increased by 4% between 2005/06 and 2006/07, part-time first year enrolments also increased by 4% between 2005/06 and 2006/07.
• Between 2005/06 and 2006/07, the number of enrolments of UK domiciled students showed no percentage change (from 113,205 to 113,650). The number of all other European Union (EU) domiciled students increased by 8% (from 6,260 to 6,775) and the number of Non-EU domiciled students increased by 16% (from 9,770 to 11,335).

Key Points - Qualifications Obtained (Wales only)

• In 2006/07 there were 17,630 first degree graduates, compared to 17,370 in 2005/06, an increase of 1%.
• Of those gaining a first degree in 2006/07, 11% obtained a first class honours award and 45% obtained an upper second class honours award.
• 58% of first degree graduates in 2006/07 were women, compared to 57% in 2005/06.
• 10,720 students obtained HE qualifications at postgraduate level in 2006/07, an increase of 13% from 2005/06.

Key Points - Enrolments (Scotland only)

• The total number of HE enrolments at Scottish HEIs stood at 223,530 in 2006/07, an increase of 4% from 2005/06. Postgraduate enrolments increased by 9% and undergraduate enrolments increased by 2% between 2005/06 and 2006/07.
• 152,795 of all enrolments were full-time, an increase in numbers of 3% since 2005/06. The number of part-time enrolments grew by 6% over the same period.
• The number of full-time first year enrolments increased by 3% between 2005/06 and 2006/07, part-time first year enrolments also increased by 12% between 2005/06 and 2006/07.
• Between 2005/06 and 2006/07, the number of enrolments of UK domiciled students increased by 2% (from 183,465 to 186,405). The number of all other European Union (EU) domiciled students increased by 10% (from 11,465 to 12,575) and the number of Non-EU domiciled students increased by 17% (from 20,905 to 24,550).

Key Points - Qualifications Obtained (Scotland only)

• In 2006/07 there were 31,005 first degree graduates, compared to 29,965 in 2005/06, an increase of 3%.
• Of those gaining a first degree in 2006/07, 16% obtained a first class honours award and 52% obtained an upper second class honours award.
• 59% of first degree graduates in 2006/07 were women, the same as in 2005/06.
• 7,495 students were awarded HE qualifications at undergraduate level other than at first degree level in 2006/07, compared to 7,280 in 2005/06, an increase of 3%.
• 20,035 students obtained HE qualifications at postgraduate level in 2006/07, an increase of 3% from 2005/06.

Key Points - Enrolments (Northern Ireland only)

• The total number of HE enrolments at Northern Ireland HEIs stood at 50,325 in 2006/07, a decrease of 8% from 2005/06. Postgraduate enrolments decreased by 12% and undergraduate enrolments decreased by 7% between 2005/06 and 2006/07.
• 34,110 of all enrolments were full-time, a decrease in numbers of 4% since 2005/06. The number of part-time enrolments fell by 14% over the same period.
• The number of full-time first year enrolments decreased by 9% between 2005/06 and 2006/07, part-time first year enrolments also decreased by 5% between 2005/06 and 2006/07.
• Between 2005/06 and 2006/07, the number of enrolments of UK domiciled students decreased by 8% (from 48,735 to 44,975). The number of all other European Union (EU) domiciled students decreased by 13% (from 4,320 to 3,765) and the number of Non-EU domiciled students increased by 1% (from 1,575 to 1,585).

Key Points - Qualifications Obtained (Northern Ireland only)

• In 2006/07 there were 8,250 first degree graduates, compared to 8,020 in 2005/06, an increase of 3%.
• Of those gaining a first degree in 2006/07, 13% obtained a first class honours award and 52% obtained an upper second class honours award.
• 62% of first degree graduates in 2006/07 were women, compared to 63% in 2005/06.
• 3,595 students obtained HE qualifications at postgraduate level in 2006/07, a decrease of 16% from 2005/06.

Tables

Table 1 shows all student enrolments on HE courses by level of study, mode of study and domicile, 2002/03 to 2006/07.

Table 1a shows all student enrolments on HE courses by location of institution, mode of study and domicile, 2002/03 to 2006/07.

Table 2 shows first year student enrolments on HE courses by level of study, mode of study and domicile, 2002/03 to 2006/07.

Table 2a shows first year student enrolments on HE courses by location of institution, mode of study and domicile, 2002/03 to 2006/07.

Table 3 shows student enrolments on HE courses by mode of study, level of study and subject area, 2002/03 to 2006/07.

Table 3a shows student enrolments on HE courses by location of institution, mode of study, level of study and subject area 2006/07.

Table 4 shows the qualifications obtained by students on HE courses at HEIs in the UK by mode of study, domicile, gender and level of qualification obtained, 2002/03 to 2006/07.

Table 4a shows qualifications obtained by students on HE courses at HEIs in the UK by location of institution, mode of study, domicile, gender and level of qualification obtained, 2002/03 to 2006/07.

Table 5 shows the class of degree achieved by students obtaining first degree qualifications at HEIs in the UK by gender and mode of study, 2002/03 to 2006/07.

Table 5a shows class of degree achieved by students obtaining first degree qualifications at HEIs in the UK by location of institution, gender and mode of study 2006/07.

Table 6 shows the qualifications obtained by students on HE courses at HEIs in the UK by level of qualification obtained, gender and subject area, 2002/03 to 2006/07.

Table 6a shows qualifications obtained by students on HE courses at HEIs in the UK by location of institution, level of qualification obtained, gender and subject area, 2006/07.

None of the tables presented should be interpreted without reference to the Notes to Editors and Definitions provided below.

Download all tables

Notes to Editors

1. The data presented in this SFR is based on the 2006/07 HESA Student Record. The statistics in this SFR are derived by HESA from data collected from all publicly funded HEIs in the UK (including The Open University) and from 2004/05 onwards from The University of Buckingham, which is privately funded. The figures therefore exclude HE enrolments and qualifications obtained by students at further education colleges and at other private and independent HE colleges.

   The 2006/07 data for HE enrolments in further education colleges in the UK is not included in this SFR, however this information will be published in September 2008, in Table 0 of the HESA publication, Higher Education Statistics for the United Kingdom.

2. The figures presented in this SFR include all qualifications submitted to HESA by a reporting deadline; however this deadline has changed over the years. Details of reporting schedules are given in earlier versions of this SFR. These changes are not thought to have affected the number of qualifications reported.
3. The reduction in numbers on combined programmes shown in 2003/04 in Table 3, 3a, 6 and 6a is attributable to improved reporting practice. A concomitant increase in individual subject classification affects the time series presented.

4. As a consequence of a problem identified with data submitted by an institution in 2004/05, a number of students were not returned as first years although included in the all year figure. The error affected data only for the 2004/05 academic year and was corrected for 2005/06. However as a result, the increase in first year enrolments between 2004/05 and 2005/06 appears greater than in reality, particularly in respect of undergraduate entrants. More detail about this anomalous reporting can be found in SFR 107.

   In 2006/07 an institution in Scotland misreported a number of awards (1,295) as ordinary degrees, showing in the tables as unclassified awards. Therefore the increases seen in unclassified awards in Tables 5 and 5a are artificially inflated.

5. Foundation degrees have not been introduced in Scotland. As numbers of Foundation degree students in Wales and Northern Ireland are small, these are not separately reported in the text of this SFR.
6. The 2006/07 figures in this SFR are provisional; the data presented is as reported to HESA by HEIs.
7. A statistical reference volume Students in Higher Education Institutions, 2006/07 setting out more information about students in higher education in the UK will be published by HESA in Spring 2008.

Definitions

1. Higher education

   Higher education students are those students on courses that are of a standard that is higher than the Advanced Level of the General Certificate of Education, the Higher Grade of the Scottish Certificate of Education, GNVQ/NVQ level 3 or the BTEC or SCOTVEC National Certificate/Diploma.

2. Level of study/qualification obtained

   Postgraduate programmes of study are those leading to higher degrees, diplomas and certificates (including Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and professional qualifications) and usually require that entrants are already qualified to degree level (i.e. already qualified at level 6 of the QCA National Qualifications Framework).

   First degree includes first degrees with or without eligibility to register to practice with a health or social care or veterinary statutory regulatory body, first degrees with qualified teacher status (QTS)/registration with the General Teaching Council (GTC), enhanced first degrees, first degrees obtained concurrently with a diploma and intercalated first degrees.

   Foundation degrees were first introduced in September 2001. They are vocational higher education qualifications and are at level 5 of the QCA National Qualifications Framework.

   Other undergraduate includes qualification aims below degree level, such as Foundation Degrees, diplomas in HE with eligibility to register to practice with a Health or Social Care regulatory body, Higher National Diploma (HND), Higher National Certificate (HNC), Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE), Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE), foundation courses at HE level, NVQ/SVQ levels 4 and 5, post-degree diplomas and certificates at undergraduate level, professional qualifications at undergraduate level, other undergraduate diplomas and certificates including post registration health and social care courses, other formal HE qualifications of less than degree standard, institutional undergraduate credit and no formal undergraduate qualifications.

3. Mode of study - enrolments

   Full-time students are those normally required to attend an institution for periods amounting to at least 24 weeks within the year of programme of study, on thick or thin sandwich courses, and those on a study-related year out of their institution. During that time students are normally expected to undertake periods of study, tuition or work experience which amount to an average of at least 21 hours per week.

   Part-time students are those recorded as studying part-time, or studying full-time on courses lasting less than 24 weeks, on block release, or studying during the evenings only. Part-time also includes other modes of study such as those students writing-up theses or on sabbatical, except where these have been tabulated separately.

   Mode of study - qualifications obtained

   Full-time students are those whose study was recorded as full-time (described as above), including sandwich students. Awards from dormant status and those writing-up theses are also included where a student's mode of study was previously full-time.

   Part-time students are those whose study was recorded as part-time, or studying full-time on courses lasting less than 24 weeks, on block release, or studying during the evenings. Awards from dormant status and those writing-up theses are also included where a student's mode of study was previously part-time.

4. Domicile

   UK domiciled students are those normally resident in the United Kingdom, including those living in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

   On 1 May 2004 ten new countries joined the EU; the 2004 accession countries, and these are listed below. Up to 2003/04 these countries are included in the Non-EU category in the tables; as from 2004/05 these countries are included in the Other EU category. The table below illustrates the position regarding student enrolments in HE using HESA standard definitions. The brackets indicate the figures for the accession countries prior to their inclusion on 1 May 2004.

   	2002/03	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07
   EU countries excluding UK	90,580	89,545	100,005	106,225	112,260
   ..of which
   EU countries prior to 1 May 2004	90,580	89,545	88,815	89,465	89,695
   EU accession countries	(6,745)	(7,300)	11,190	16,760	22,565

   2004 accession countries: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia. Bulgaria and Romania are included in the Non-EU category up to and including 2006/07, as these countries did not join the EU until 1 January 2007.

5. Location of institution

   The allocation of an institution to a geographical region is done by reference to the administrative centre of that institution. There may be students registered at institutions who are studying in regions other than that of the administrative centre of the institution.

   The Open University is counted as a wholly English institution. The administrative centre is located in England, although The Open University teaches throughout the UK.

6. Classification of first degrees

   The classification of an undergraduate degree indicates the qualification class that the student obtained. Certain qualifications obtained at first degree level are not subject to classification of the award, notably medical and general degrees. These, together with ordinary degrees, have been included within the unclassified category. Third class honours, fourth class honours and the pass category have been aggregated. Lower second and undivided second class honours have been aggregated. The percentage calculations included in this SFR are expressed excluding unclassified first degrees from the denominator.

7. First year

   First year students are based on the HESA standard registration population who commenced their programme of study in the reporting period relevant to the data collection year.

8. Age

   Age is as at 31 August within the relevant academic year.

In the text and tables the figures presented are rounded. 0, 1 and 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down, to the nearest multiple of 5. Percentages are calculated on the base data and are suppressed if they are calculated on a population which contains 52 or fewer individuals. These cases are represented as '..'.

Press enquiries should be directed to the Press Office at the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), 95 Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 1HZ: Tel: 01242 211120. General enquiries about the data contained within this SFR should be addressed to Denise Jones, Head of Information Services, HESA (at the same address): Tel: 01242 211133.

ENDS