(2) how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time mature students withdrew from and did not complete their higher education course in each year since 2001.
The information available on non-continuation of higher education students is shown in tables 1 and 2. The figures are taken from the Performance Indicators in Higher Education, published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
Table 1 shows the proportion of UK-domiciled full-time first degree entrants to higher education institutions in England, who do not continue in higher education after their first year table 2 shows the proportion of UK-domiciled full-time other undergraduate entrants to higher education institutions in England, who do not continue in higher education after their first year. Both tables 1 and 2 are broken down by young (under 21) and mature (21 and over) students.
Academic year Young (under 21) Mature (21 and over) 2001/02 7.0 14.8 2002/03 7.3 15.1 2003/04 7.2 15.4 2004/05 6.8 14.0 Source: “Performance Indicators in Higher Education”, published by HESA
Academic year Young (under 21) Mature (21 and over) 2001/02 16.3 15.8 2002/03 16.1 14.5 2003/04 17.5 14.3 2004/05 16.6 14.8 Source: “Performance Indicators in Higher Education”, published by HESA
Figures for 2005/06 will become available later this year. HESA do not publish figures on the percentage of part-time students not continuing in higher education after their first year.
According to the figures published by the OECD, the overall completion rate for type A (first degree equivalent) courses in UK universities and colleges of higher education is among the highest in the OECD countries.