Higher Education Student Statistics: Alternative Providers, 2016/17 - Qualifications achieved

How many qualifiers from APs are there?

The total number of qualifications achieved in 2016/17 from undergraduate designated courses at APs was 15,330. This was an increase of 10% in the number of qualifications achieved from undergraduate designated courses in 2015/16. The largest increase, both in absolute and percentage terms was amongst HNC/HND qualifications. The only level of study to see a drop in the number of qualifications achieved between 2015/16 and 2016/17 was foundation degrees.

In 2016/17, first degree qualifications accounted for 43% of undergraduate HE qualifications obtained on designated courses at APs. This reduced from 46% in 2015/16.

Of those gaining a classified first degree, the proportion who obtained a first or upper second has remained stable, at 58% in 2015/16 and 2016/17. In 2016/17, 17% gained a first class degree compared to 14% in 2015/16 (data available in figure 8). There were variations in class of first degree by mode of study and sex. A higher percentage of female first degree qualifiers achieved a first or upper second class degree in 2016/17 (60% compared to 55% of male qualifiers).

Amongst publicly funded HE providers, 75% of those gaining a classified first degree obtained a first or upper second in 2016/17 (source: HESA).

In 2016/17, 9% of qualifications achieved from designated courses were in science subject areas. Figure 9 shows that the highest number of qualifications gained from designated courses were in business & administrative studies. This was also the subject with the most qualifiers at the all undergraduate level, accounting for 46% of undergraduate qualifications achieved from designated courses. A further 20% qualified from creative arts & design and 11% from law.

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