To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many United Kingdom universities accept (a) vocational and (b) work-based learning qualifications as entry criteria; and if he will make a statement. [129524]

Universities are taking into account an increasingly wide range of evidence when making decisions about a candidate's suitability. The extent to which vocational and work-based learning qualifications are taken into account varies from course to course, but they are particularly relevant for more vocationally orientated courses such as foundation degrees. However, this is a matter for universities and we have no figures on the number of courses for which vocational or work-based qualifications are taken into account in assessing a student's suitability.