Double the number of apprentices progress to higher education than was previously thought, says a new study published by the University of Greenwich. Advanced Apprentices who completed their frameworks in 2005-06 were tracked for four years and 13.1% had started some form of higher education (HE) in that time. This compares to previous estimates of no more than 6%.

The study, conducted by Sharon Smith and Hugh Joslin (pictured) of the University of Greenwich, was funded by the Department of Business Innovation and Skills and the event was launched by John Hayes MP, the further education, skills and lifelong learning minister.

Data was collected for all the advanced apprentices completing their frameworks in England for four years from 2005-06 to 2008-09 and compared to data on entrants to HE of all forms. The study found that over the four years, 13.1% of the 2005-06 cohort entered HE. This was further broken down into 8% moving on to "prescribed" HE (for example foundation degrees, honours degrees, HNC/Ds and other awards) and 5.1% went on to "non-prescribed" HE such as NVQs at level 4.

The proportion of subsequent cohorts of advanced apprentices progressing to HE shows a steady rise in this trend. 5.3% of the 2005-06 cohort progressed to HE in their first year whereas 6.8% of the most recent cohort did the same. In the second year, the figure is even more dramatic: 2.6% of the 2005-06 cohort progressed whilst their 2007-08 counterparts almost doubled that achievement with 4.5% progressing two years after completing their apprenticeship.

In Sussex, 1,290 Advanced Apprentices completed their frameworks in 2009-10 alone out of a national figure of 59,000. The study broke down progression rates by region and found that 11% of the 2005-06 cohort from the South East progressed compared to 16% in the North East and North West.

The study also looked at age profile in progression. The study concludes that "overall, a higher proportion of Advanced Level Apprentices progress to HEFCE-funded HE on a part-time basis than full-time but younger learners below 20 years of age are more likely to study full-time".

This has implications for provision of higher education if universities and colleges seek to attract this group of learners. John Hayes remarked that "Our HE reforms depend on creating greater supply-side diversity".

More information on the conference can be found on the University of Greenwich website.