Written Question · S4W-12834 · Session 4
How many and what percentage of care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hy…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (d) social, emotional behavioural difficulties and (e) learning disabilities are in higher education.
The answer
The Higher Education Statistics Authority (HESA) produces statistics for higher education students in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) produces statistics for higher education students in colleges. The latest detailed data on students in higher education is for the academic year 2010-11.
Data on care leavers is not currently available from HESA or the SFC. The Scottish Government is working with HESA, the SFC and institutions to ensure this information is captured in future years.
The following table shows the number of higher education enrolments split by disability type. Comparable population estimates are not available for these specific categories.
Enrolments in Higher Education (HE) in Scottish HEIs and colleges by disability type: 2010-11
Disability Type
Number of HE enrolments
Blind or a serious visual impairment uncorrected by glasses
525
Deaf or a serious hearing impairment
800
A physical impairment or mobility issues, such as difficulty using arms or using a wheelchair or crutches
820
Personal care support
20
A mental health condition, such as depression, schizophrenia or anxiety disorder
2,225
A long standing illness or health condition such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, chronic heart disease, or epilepsy
3,765
Two or more impairments and/or disabling medical conditions
2,100
A social/communication impairment such as Aspergers syndrome/other autistic spectrum disorder (1)
340
A specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or AD(H)D
9,400
A disability, impairment or medical condition that is not listed above (1)
3,145
Not recorded
3,800
No known disability
263,060
Total HE enrolments
290,000
Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) and Scottish Funding Council (SFC).
Notes:
(1) For colleges, students with an autistic spectrum disorder are included in the category 'A disability, impairment or medical condition not listed above' as they are not reported on separately.
Enrolment numbers rounded to the nearest five.
The vast majority of higher education courses have a duration of at least one academic year, therefore students generally enrol once per year. The number of HE enrolments is broadly comparable to the number of HE students.
Data on care leavers is not currently available from HESA or the SFC. The Scottish Government is working with HESA, the SFC and institutions to ensure this information is captured in future years.
The following table shows the number of higher education enrolments split by disability type. Comparable population estimates are not available for these specific categories.
Enrolments in Higher Education (HE) in Scottish HEIs and colleges by disability type: 2010-11
Disability Type
Number of HE enrolments
Blind or a serious visual impairment uncorrected by glasses
525
Deaf or a serious hearing impairment
800
A physical impairment or mobility issues, such as difficulty using arms or using a wheelchair or crutches
820
Personal care support
20
A mental health condition, such as depression, schizophrenia or anxiety disorder
2,225
A long standing illness or health condition such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, chronic heart disease, or epilepsy
3,765
Two or more impairments and/or disabling medical conditions
2,100
A social/communication impairment such as Aspergers syndrome/other autistic spectrum disorder (1)
340
A specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or AD(H)D
9,400
A disability, impairment or medical condition that is not listed above (1)
3,145
Not recorded
3,800
No known disability
263,060
Total HE enrolments
290,000
Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) and Scottish Funding Council (SFC).
Notes:
(1) For colleges, students with an autistic spectrum disorder are included in the category 'A disability, impairment or medical condition not listed above' as they are not reported on separately.
Enrolment numbers rounded to the nearest five.
The vast majority of higher education courses have a duration of at least one academic year, therefore students generally enrol once per year. The number of HE enrolments is broadly comparable to the number of HE students.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S4W-12834 by reference.