The main measure for tracking progress on increasing participation in higher education is currently the Higher Education Initial Participation Rate (HEIPR). This is the sum of the HE initial participation rates for individual ages between 17 and 30 inclusive. It covers English-domiciled first time entrants to HE courses, which are expected to last for at least six months, at UK higher education institutions and English, Scottish and Welsh further education colleges, and who remain on their course for at least six months. The figures are shown in the table.
Percentage 1999-2000 39.3 2000-01 39.7 2001-02 40.2 2002-03 41.2 2003-04 40.3 2004-05 41.3 2005-06 42.8 Source: "Participation Rates in Higher Education: Academic Years 1999-2000 to 2005-06 (Provisional)" Statistical First Release, published by DfES.
Figures for 2006-07 will become available later this year. The HEIPR is not disaggregated below national level.
HEFCE's “Young participation in Higher Education” publication includes the proportion of young people who enter higher education at age 18 or 19 by parliamentary constituency, although this only covers the years up to 2000. Participation rates based on this work are given on the supporting POLAR website (www.hefce.ac.uk/polar).
The figures for Peterborough in each year from 1997 to 2000 are shown in the table.
Cohort reaching age 18 in year 1997 1998 1999 2000 Percentage from Peterborough entering HE aged 18 or 19 23 25 23 23 Percentage from England entering HE aged 18 or 19 29 29 29 30 Source: “Young Participation in Higher Education", published by HEFCE.