To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many places there were in (a) further and (b) higher education institutions in academic year 2008-09. (319177)

[holding answer 26 February 2010]: In 2008/09 academic year (provisional), 4,756,600 learners participated in Learning and Skills Council funded learning (excluding Higher Education and school sixth forms).¹

In 2008/09 there were 2,005,845 students enrolled at English Higher Education Institutions (including the Open University).²

Sources:

¹ Individualised Learner Record. Includes participation in further education provision, Apprenticeships, Train to Gain, Adult Safeguarded Learning and University for Industry.

² Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Student Record