17 per cent more students in FE

STUDENT numbers in further education rose 17 per cent last academic year, the Further Education Funding Council reports.

The figures come from the Individualised Student Record, introduced in 1994/95 and intended to make the FE sector the most open in education. But they are based on returns from only 3 out of 438 colleges. Just over 200 local authority maintained institutions offering provision funded by the council also submitted returns.

Part-time student numbers rose nearly 37 per cent, and full-time students 4 per cent. Adults account for 79 per cent of the 3.5 million students. More students are also taking vocational qualifications rather than GSCEs or A levels.