Positive indicators in tertiary education

Media Release

10 August 2010

Positive indicators in tertiary education

Young tertiary students are studying at a more advanced level and international student numbers are increasing, Secretary for Education Karen Sewell said today.

Profile & Trends, the annual survey of the tertiary sector, shows that more than three out of four young tertiary students are now studying level 4 qualifications and above, and that international tertiary student numbers increased by more than 9 per cent in 2009.

“Increasing the number of New Zealanders with higher-level qualifications, and having more first-year international enrolments are positive for our economy and our productivity,” Karen Sewell said.

“Fifty per cent of New Zealanders now hold a tertiary qualification, compared with 44 per cent a decade ago, and 17 per cent have a bachelors or a higher qualification, compared with 9.9 per cent in 1999.”

In 2009, there were 469,000 students enrolled in formal study programmes with tertiary education providers.  Of these 43,500 were international students.  The number of New Zealanders taking part in industry training in 2009 rose by 3.6 per cent to 202,000 employees, including 12,100 modern apprentices.

International tertiary numbers are expected to increase by about 8 per cent in 2010, with more enrolments in bachelors degrees and more international students taking on doctoral study.  A small increase in domestic student numbers is also expected in 2010.

Karen Sewell was commenting on the key findings of the Ministry of Education’s annual report on the tertiary education sector released today.

“Total government operating expenditure on tertiary education in 2009 was $4.1 billion and this investment is vital for New Zealand’s sustained economic and social development.  The New Zealand workforce is becoming more qualified and the priorities set for the tertiary education system for 2010 to 2012 will continue this trend,” said the Secretary for Education.

Find the full report, Profile & Trends:  New Zealand’s Tertiary Education Sector at: www.educationcounts.govt.nz/publications/tertiary/p&t-2009.htm

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