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Minister welcomes increased enrolments at NI Universities

29 January 2009

Students are continuing to recognise the importance and value of higher education in today’s challenging economic conditions, Sir Reg Empey, Employment and Learning Minister, said today.

The Minister was speaking following the publication of a report by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).  Each year HESA publishes a range of statistics relating to the number of student enrolments and qualifications obtained at universities and colleges across the United Kingdom.

Today’s report shows that, between 2006/7 and 2007/8, the number of students starting a full-time course at a Northern Ireland Higher Education Institution has increased by 3%. The number of students enrolled on postgraduate courses shows a marked increase of 7% at Higher Education Institutions in Northern Ireland over the same period.

Commenting on the findings, the Minister said: “Today’s report is particularly welcome given recent reports around graduate employment prospects and the challenging economic climate.  It is positive to note that students are continuing to recognise the long term social and economic benefits of a university education, particularly at postgraduate level.

“These latest figures are very timely given my Department’s current review of tuition fees and student finance arrangements for undergraduate students.  Participation levels of young people in higher education in Northern Ireland have almost doubled since the beginning of the 1990s and my Department will continue to support our local institutions to ensure these levels are maintained.”

The Minister concluded: “The higher education sector here continues to play an important and vibrant role in our economy and, now more than ever, it is vital that we continue to deliver a well educated workforce with a high level of skills.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. Media enquiries to Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.  Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.