Statistics Publication Notice: Lifelong Learning Series: Higher Education Students and Qualifiers at Scottish Institutions 2009-10

Notes to News Editors

1. These statistics are collected by the Higher Education Statistics Agency ( HESA) from Higher Education Institutions ( HEIs) and by the Scottish Funding Council ( SFC) from Further Education Colleges (Colleges).

2. This publication contains information on students from both Colleges and HEIs who are attending Higher Education courses in Scotland, as well as some comparisons with HEIs in the rest of the UK.

3. In this publication the term "student" refers to instances of enrolments on courses in higher education, it does not represent a count of individuals; it is consistent with previous issues and is general practice across the UK. Disparity between the number of students and the number of enrolments is due to students enrolled on multiple courses; this is most common among those enrolled in part-time study and those enrolled in courses below degree level. When referring to the data contained in this publication the terms "students" and "enrolments" may be used interchangeably but should not be confused with "entrants"; in this publication the term "entrants" refers to those enrolments in their first year of study. The term 'qualifier' refers to those students who have successfully completed an assessed course.

4. This is a National Statistics publication. National Statistics are produced to high professional standards set out in the National Statistics Code of Practice. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference.

This publication, together with associated tables listed above, is published on the Scottish Government website: http://www.Scotland.gsi.gov.uk/llstatistics

Those who do not have access to the Internet, please contact Andrew Walker. See details below.

For media enquiries please contact:

John Robertson
Scottish Government
Communications

Tel. (0131) 244 2087

For further information, non-media enquiries and comments on this publication please contact:

Andrew Walker

Tel. 0300 244 6774
E-mail.andrew.walker@scotland.gsi.gov.uk