HESA’s student statistics for 2015 / 16 show a 47% fall over four years in the number of part-time students enrolling in higher education; from 278k in 2011/12 to 148k in 2015/16. Dr Lee Elliot Major, Chief Executive of the Sutton Trust, said:

“While it is good to see that more and more people are starting higher education, it is seriously concerning that there’s been another dramatic fall in the number of people choosing to study for degrees part-time.

“Studying part-time has traditionally offered a second-chance for people from less advantaged backgrounds who missed out on university after school. Since tuition fees were introduced, their numbers have almost halved. This is likely having a serious and detrimental impact on social mobility.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

  • The full statistical release can be found here.