To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many first time students (a) aged 21 to 24 and (b) aged 25 and over are expected to commence higher education courses at English institutions in 2008-09, broken down by mode and course of study. (175801)

The Government have a target to increase participation in higher education towards 50 per cent. of those aged 18 to 30 with growth of at least a percentage point every two years to the academic year 2010-11. The Government do not make projections of the number of students entering higher education in these specific age bands or by course of study.