Written Answers. - Third Level Education.
Charlie O'Connor
Ceist:
747
Mr. O'Connor
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
the number of mature students in Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin during the academic year 2001-02; the ratio of mature students to the rest of students in these colleges; the way in which such figures compare to those in the university sector on a national basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17324/02]
The latest figures available from the Higher Education Authority, HEA, relating to the number of undergraduate students who were entering full-time education for the first time and who would have been aged 23 years or over on 1 January of their year of application are set out in the following table:
Full Time Undergraduate Students entering for the first time as at 1 January 2001
|
Mature Students
|
Total Students
|
Percentage of Total
|
|
University College Dublin (UCD)
|
99
|
3,529
|
2.8%
|
|
Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
|
247
|
2,609
|
9.5%
|
|
All Higher Education Authority Institutes
|
1,004
|
16,757
|
6.0%
|
It is important to note that the figures do not include students pursuing part-time education, adult education, special interest and other programmes. According to the HEA, the total number of part-time enrolments in UCD and TCD was 2,936 and 2,758 respectively in 2000-01. Although age-related data are not available for part-time students, the review committee on post-secondary education and training under the chairmanship of Dr. Dónal de Buitléir – January 2000 – found that the majority of students in this category are mature students. In addition, some 1,600 students are taking foundation level courses at the adult education center in UCD. These programmes are aimed at mature students and are intended to facilitate progression to degree programmes.
The Higher Education Authority has for a number of years provided dedicated funding to the universities and other designated institutions to support new developments in areas of strategic importance in higher education. One particular priority area is that of broadening access to the universities and Higher Education Authority institutions for students from traditionally under-represented groups. These include students from disadvantaged backgrounds, mature students, and travellers. In 2001, the Higher Education Authority provided over €5 million to support initiatives aimed at providing for such broadened access.
The authority also, as a part of the targeted initiative process, undertakes periodic external evaluation of these targeted initiatives. In 2001, an evaluation of the targeted initiative on mature students was conducted by Professor Maurice Kogan on behalf of the HEA. I understand that the outcome of this evaluation has been under consideration by the authority and is due to be published in the near future.
The report of the review committee on post-secondary education and training had recommended that 10,000 additional places should be provided for mature students, mainly on part- time courses. This followed a previous recommendation of the Commission on the Points System – 1999 – that by the year 2005, each third level institution should set aside a quota of at least 15% of places for students entering at 23 years of age or above. In the longer term, this target was envisaged as being raised to 25%, bringing Ireland closer to the average participation rate for mature students in OECD countries as a whole.
Simultaneous to their evaluation of the targeted initiative, Professor Maurice Kogan's team has also conducted a survey of the profile and views of a sample of the mature student population – full-time, part-time, successful and unsuccessful applicants, access and PLC course participants – on behalf of the HEA. This research was conducted on foot of a recommendation of the report of the Review Committee on Post-Secondary Education and Training that, prior to providing the recommended additional places, appropriate market research be conducted on the target population to determine the extent of demand, the courses sought and the most appropriate method of provision. It further recommended that, building on this market research, the Higher Education Authority bring forward proposals for the provision of the additional places.
I understand from the Higher Education Authority that the survey conducted by Professor Kogan's team has generated useful data as to the profile and views of those mature students who have already succeeded in gaining entry to third level. It is planned that this research will be published in association with other similar research being conducted by third level institutions themselves as well as market and other research currently being planned by the HEA.
The additional market research being planned by the Higher Education Authority will be with a view to ascertaining the extent of demand for higher education amongst the adult population at large, in particular amongst those who have not previously accessed third level education, the quality of that demand and the barriers which may need to be addressed in order to realise demand into actual participation. Following the completion of this research the authority hopes to be in a position to formulate proposals towards advising the provision of additional mature student places in higher education.
