English participation rate edges over 50 per cent for first time

The proportion of 17- to 30 year olds in England studying for a degree has tipped over 50 per cent for the first time, but the gap between men and women has stabilised at 12.5 percentage points.

Data from the Department for Education published on 26 September shows that 50.2 per cent of 17- to 30 year olds entered higher education in 2017-18, the first time the 50 per cent barrier has been broken in English universities and an increase of 0.3 percentage points on the previous year.

Despite a dip in the 2012-13 academic year when tuition fees tripled to £9,000, participation in higher education has been steadily rising each year.