The Office for Fair Access welcomes the launch today of the Part-Time Matters campaign to champion the benefits of part-time study.
Director of Fair Access to Higher Education, Professor Les Ebdon, commented:
‘I support the Part-Time Matters campaign and I’m very pleased to see the many benefits of part-time study being highlighted.
‘One-third of higher education students are part-time, and they are statistically more likely to be from groups that are under-represented in universities and colleges. That’s why OFFA is particularly keen to ensure that they are encouraged and supported, so that all those who have the talent to succeed in higher education have the opportunity to do so.
‘Part-time study has decreased significantly in recent years, with the number of undergraduate part-time entrants falling by 40 per cent since 2010-11 [Source: HEFCE]. This is a great cause for concern. I look forward to Universities UK’s report in October which will analyse the reasons for the drop and recommend what can be done about it.’
The campaign, launched to coincide with Adult Learners’ Week (18-24 May 2013), is supported by a number of organisations, including Universities UK, Birkbeck (University of London), The Open University, The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education and the National Union of Students.
ENDS
For further information contact Zita Adamson, OFFA Communications Manager (0117 931 7272) or Sophie Mason, OFFA Communications and Press Adviser (0117 931 7204), or email press@offa.org.uk