FE is student's first choice

A survey by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service reveals that only 5% of FE students applied to college because they did not gain a university place, suggesting FE is not the fall back option it has sometimes been viewed to be.

The majority of students surveyed had chosen FE over higher education because it was cheaper, more convenient, or requested by their employer.

The LSIS report, 'Strategic Options, Operational Challenges', also reveals that the profile of FE students is largely different from those in HE, with more part time and older learners.

The survey concludes: "The predominant outcome they wish to achieve is related to employment- opening a wider range of career choices, getting a good job or a promotion.... of less importance to students is having time to think about what they want to do, or having the experience of being a student".

These findings raise doubts about calls from the Government for those young people who missed out on a university place this year to consider a college place instead.

Read TES article