Students in higher education, 1 October 2009, preliminary figures

More students at university colleges

The biggest gain was found in public universities, where more than 90 800 were enrolled in 2009; up

6.7 per cent from the previous year. Some of the growth in public university enrolments was due to the completion of the merging process between the university of Tromsø and university college of Tromsø as of 1 January 2009, and consequently the addition of the university college of Tromsø to the public university sector. A total of 2 400 students were registered in the university college of Tromsø in 2008. The increase of more than 1 100 students in public university colleges in 2009 represented about 15 per cent of the total growth. Female and male students reached the same rate of growth in 2009 compared with a much faster rate to the benefit of women in 2008.

Largest increase among students aged 19-24

The largest growth in the number of students in 2009 occurred within the 19-24 age group. The student population in this age group rose by 6.3 per cent - or by almost 7 000- compared with 2008. Enrolments in tertiary education among 25-29-year-olds have also risen substantially, and accounted for 19.7 per cent of the total of students; a proportion that remained stable compared with the last two years. Two factors may explain the substantial student increase in these groups. First, there were more people aged 19-24 and 25-29 in 2009, up 12 500 and 4 000 respectively in relation to 2008. Second, a higher unemployment rate among young people could have had a positive impact on enrolment.

Tables:

• Table 1 Students, by gender, type of institution, ownership and educational institution . 1 October 2008 and 2009. Preliminary figures
• Table 2 Students, by type of institution, gender and age. Absolute figures and per cent. Preliminary figures. 1 October 2009