It is estimated that 6 per cent. of young people who were in English maintained schools and aged 15 at the start of academic year 2002/03, progressed to HE at a Russell group institution by the age of 19 (in 2006/07). Figures for 2007/08 will be available in 2010.
This figure has been calculated using matched data from the National Pupil Database, the Higher Education Statistics Agency student record and the Learning and Skills Council individualised learner record.
As of 27 August, one week after A-level results day, UCAS figures show that of those who applied for a university course this year, 151,280 UK domiciled students had not yet secured a place, though many more students will secure places before provisional acceptance figures are published on 21 October. Of these, 39,347 had a non-clearing outcome pending, 105,967 were eligible to enter clearing and 5,966 had withdrawn from the scheme completely.
For those who do not secure a place at university through the UCAS main scheme or in clearing there are several options available. For example, this year we expect there to be 250,000 young people starting an apprenticeship. We have recently announced an extra 47,000 youth jobs supported by the Future Jobs Fund for young people who are unable to find work or training within a year.
[holding answer 16 September 2009]: Information on the number of young people participating in further education is given in a statistical first release, the last version being published on 25 June 2009:
http://www. thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/sfriun09
In 2007-08, the latest year for which full-year figures are available, 1,055,600 learners aged under 19 participated in further education (excluding school sixth forms). Provisional figures for the 2008-09 academic year will be available in October 2009. In 2007-08, the latest year for which figures are available, 301,055 students aged under 21 entered English Higher Education Institutions. Figures for the 2008-09 academic year will be available in January 2010.
Notes for further education figure:
1. Source: FE, WBL, UFI and ACL ILR data—coverage: England.
2. This figure has been rounded to the nearest hundred.
3. This figure is based on age as at 31 August of the academic year. The common definition used for “young people” in further education is Under 19.
4. This figure includes participation in FE (General Further Education Colleges including Tertiary, Sixth Form Colleges, Special College—Agricultural and Horticultural Colleges and Art and Design Colleges, Specialist Colleges and External Institutions), UFI, ACL and Work-based Learning. It includes a small element of FE provision delivered in HE organisations where the organisations have submitted ILR data. Data regarding school sixth forms is not included.
5. This figure is a count of the number of learners that participated at any point during the year. Learners undertaking more than one course will appear only once for each data collection. However, learners that are included in different data collections (e.g. participating in FE and undertaking an apprenticeship) will be counted more than once. Information on the number of learners entering/starting a course in published for apprenticeships but not FE provision.
Notes for higher education figure:
1. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
2. This figure is taken from the HESA student record which is collected annually, is based on a HESA standard registration population and has been rounded to the nearest five.
3. This figure covers students from all domiciles entering both full-time and part-time courses of all levels. This figure refers to students starting the first year of their course in the 2007-08 academic year and is based on age as at 31 August of the academic year. The common definition used for “young people” in higher education is Under 21.