Universities
have been urged to look beyond the traditional student profile and start
attracting older and employed candidates.
A
report by the Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA) has highlighted the
need to attract older candidates (including those in their twenties), people in
employment and students looking to progress from Modern Apprenticeship Schemes.
The
paper was produced in response to the Government’s consultation document on
widening participation in higher education, and points out that the growth area
for applications is the 21 to 24-year-old category.
It
also calls on universities to address the growing trend towards students who
combine learning with full or part-time employment.