There has been a "dramatic" decline in part-time students over the age of 21 in England, according to a recent study by the Universities UK.
Figures show that in the past two years, there have been 40 percent, or 105,000, fewer students enrolling as part-time students in England following a decade-long decline, while full-time enrollments have gone up in the last 10 years.
"We are talking about huge numbers," said chair of Universities UK Sir Eric Thomas. "Part-time students, particularly mature undergraduates, seem to be invisible, and in national policy terms, poorly understood cohort."
Factors behind the decline identified by the report include demographic changes and the economic climate which can bring on financial pressure and affect the individual's readiness to commit to courses. Other factors identified include the lack of visibility for part-time offers.
According to the study, which focuses on part-time students over the age of 21, this trend has been more significant for women and mature learners.
The report states that the decline in female students has contributed to the longer term drop in part-time student numbers. Between 2002-03 and 2011-12, the number of male entrants fell by 4 percent, while female entrants fell by 14 percent.
"The UK needs more graduates," Thomas said. "Over 80 per cent of new jobs to be created by 2020 will be in occupations with high concentrations of graduates."
The Universities UK said higher education providers and the government should consider the needs of part-time and mature students as an "intrinsic part of their thinking, not an add-on," and there should be an urgent push on a national, regional and local level to help potential students and employers understand the value of a part-time education.
The UK relies on part-time higher education to "up-skill" the employed population in order to meet fast changing skill needs and can facilitate economic growth.
