More women than men in higher education

WOMEN are still outnumbering men at colleges and universities but the gap is closing, research showed today.

The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) looked at participation rates in further and higher education over a five-year period.

It found that in the academic year of 2005-06, 68 per cent of women aged 16 to 19 went to college or university in Scotland, compared to 61 per cent of young men. In 2009-10, the figure for women in that age group went up slightly to 69 per cent, but had risen to 64 per cent for young men.

The report, entitled Scottish Participation in Further and Higher Education, also found that women are still consistently outnumbering men across all age groups attending college or university.

Other figures show that in 2009-10, 71 per cent of college students were studying for a recognised qualification.

Researchers also noted an increase in the proportion of students coming from the most deprived areas.

SFC chief executive Mark Batho said: "The improving trends shown in this report are welcome, but there is still more to do."