Teacher training student numbers up
The number of initial teacher training (ITT) students continued to grow in 2003/04 with a total 36,365 first year UK domiciled students (34,145 in 2002/03).
The latest statistics released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency also show a continued growth in the popularity of taking a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) to become a qualified teacher. PGCE numbers have risen from 24,250 in 2002/03 to 26,525 in 2003/04. A fall is shown in those choosing a BEd or other first degree ITT route from 9,895 in 2002/03 to 9,840 in 2003/04.
The data relates to students who took initial or pre-service teacher training courses leading to qualified teacher status.1 The number of those qualifying has also continued to grow. In 2003/04, 30,780 students qualified compared to 28,470 in 2002/03 and 26,825 in 2001/02. Women still out number men in this field, with three times as many hoping to join the profession, 23,080 against just 7,700 men in 2003/04 (21,585 versus 6,885 in 2002/03).
HESA has also looked at the major sources of tuition fees for UK domiciled students by level of study. Excluding those students recorded as receiving no award or financial backing, for most postgraduate students (53,985), tuition fees were funded by UK industry, commerce or their employer. At first degree level UK Local Education Authority2 mandatory/discretionary awards accounted for most students’ major source of tuition fees at 460,865. For other undergraduate students (e.g. HND, HNC etc.) UK central or local government, health, employment & agriculture authorities/bodies accounted for the largest group at 100,165. More detail is shown in the table below.
Institutions are required to return the major source of tuition fees for the student where this is known. Caution should exercised when analysing this field as the numbers suggest that, in some cases, the category "No award or financial backing" may have been used as a default.
| UK domiciled students at UK HE institutions by level of study and major source of tuition fees 2003/04 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate | First degree | Other undergraduate | Total | |
| No award or financial backing | 173440 | 530315 | 251100 | 954855 |
| UK LEA mandatory/discretionary awards2 | 35580 | 460865 | 33850 | 530290 |
| Institutionally waived/award | 18190 | 5135 | 5780 | 29100 |
| Research councils & British Academy | 13650 | 15 | 100 | 13765 |
| Charities & international agencies | 1895 | 565 | 325 | 2785 |
| UK central govt/local, health, employment & agriculture authorities/bodies | 27730 | 51585 | 100165 | 179485 |
| EU sources | 1090 | 35 | 200 | 1325 |
| Other overseas sources | 1225 | 400 | 235 | 1865 |
| UK industry/commerce & student's employer | 53985 | 28315 | 54050 | 136345 |
| Absent/No fees | 16990 | 8495 | 18790 | 44275 |
| Not known/Other | 23510 | 10235 | 19555 | 53300 |
| Total | 367275 | 1095960 | 484150 | 1947385 |
The data is detailed in the publication HE Statistics for the United Kingdom published today by HESA and produced in conjunction with the Government Statistical Service.
Notes to editors
- Initial or pre-service teacher training course leading to qualified teacher status or to registration as a school teacher with the General Teaching Council for Scotland.
- Includes the Student Awards Agency for Scotland and the Department for Employment and Learning Northern Ireland.
- Press enquiries should be directed to:
- HESA Press Officer
- 01242 211133
- [email protected]
- 95 Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 1HZ.
- Higher Education Statistics for the United Kingdom 2003/04 provides a statistical overview of higher education in the UK. It is available from the Customer Services Team at the address above or telephone: 01242 211155. An electronic version on CD-ROM is also available.
- HESA cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived from the data by third parties.
Ends
