EXPANDING HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE U.K: FROM ‘SYSTEM SLOWDOWN’ TO ‘SYSTEM ACCELERATION’

1987-1993

1994-1999

Labour market and
economic activity

Economic activity of 16-19
year olds increases by 5 per
cent in late 1980s, then
declines sharply (by 10 per
cent) in early 1990s

Slight increase in economic
activity rate of 16-19 year
olds from 64 to 68 per cent
and an increase in the
numbers of those working
part-time while studying

The effects of
qualifications reform on
participation, attainment
and progression

Introduction of GCSE has a
significant effect on
participation and attainment
in A Levels

Slight increase in
participation and attainment
in broad vocational
qualifications (e.g. BTEC
National and First Diplomas)

No noticeable effect of NVQs
on participation or attainment

Slowing of GCSE attainment
rises (with the 5 A*-C grade
boundary increasingly seen
as a demotivator) and
polarising patterns of
attainment

Slowdown in participation
and attainment at A Level

GNVQ largely replaces other
broad vocational provision -
persistent problems of
completion rates

Slight impact of NVQs on
participation and attainment

Higher education

Expansion of higher
education is a major factor in
stimulating post-16
participation rates

Higher education
participation growth slows
and by 1998 applications
from under-21 year olds
begin to decline

Work -based route

Work-based route remains
marginalised

Attention is beginning to
focus on the need for a high
quality work-based route with
introduction of MAs and NTs

Culture of participation and
the cohort effect

Staying-on culture begins to
reach a ‘critical mass’ and
starts to affect a wider range
of young people

Emerging evidence of
changing attitudes towards
participation in higher
education, particularly as a
result of fees for higher
education