Universities UK has welcomed the government's commitment to boosting part-time study following a speech today by John Denham on the future of higher education.

Responding to the speech, a Universities UK spokesperson said: "This responds to many of the points raised in Universities UK's demographics study. Population changes over the coming years will have a direct impact upon the way universities recruit students.

"Universities already provide highly personalised opportunities for part-time study. But as part-time fees are unsubsidised and with students studying part-time not having access to the same financial support as full time students, there are clear barriers to the expansion of part-time delivery and part-time study as a choice for students.

"Universities UK has called consistently for greater equity of treatment for part-time students and we hope this will be addressed in the review of tuition fees - due to take place in the next year.

"With the current economic difficulties, part time study will be more vital than ever in responding to the needs of employers in a highly skilled, knowledge-based economy."

As part of the DIUS higher education debate, Universities UK contributed the submission on demographics which examined the likely impact of projected population changes on demand for higher education over the next 20 years. This study - looking at the future 'size and shape' of the higher education sector - projected that the number of 18 to 20-year-olds is expected to fall sharply from 2009 to 2019 before rising again during the following decade up to 2027. The older age groups, from which part-time undergraduates are mainly drawn, will, on the other hand, experience modest growth over the same time period.

Notes

1. For more information on Universities UK's demographics project, visit: http://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/Newsroom/Media-Releases/Pages/Report-assesses-impact-of-demographic-changes-for-universities.aspx

2. To read Universities UK's additional contribution to the higher education debate, 'UK higher education in 2023: A contribution to the DIUS higher education debate', visit: http://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/Publications/Documents/DIUS_submission08.pdf

3. 42% of the student population studies part-time. This figure is expected to grow over the next 10 to 15 years. Universities UK's demographics project last year predicted that the numbers of part-time undergraduates and full-time postgraduates will increase more than any other group of students (by 2026/27).