Written Question · S4W-12837 · Session 4
What percentage of higher education students comprises care leavers and people with (a) autism spectrum disorders, (b) Asperger syndrome, (…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of higher education students comprises 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.
The answer
The Higher Education Statistics Authority (HESA) produces statistics for higher education students in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The Scottish Funding Council 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 are 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 table below shows the number and percentage of higher education enrolments split by disability type.
Enrolments in higher education (HE) in Scottish HEIs and colleges by disability type: 2010-11
Disability Type
Number of HE enrolments
Percentage of all HE enrolments
Blind or a serious visual impairment uncorrected by glasses
525
0.2%
Deaf or a serious hearing impairment
800
0.3%
A physical impairment or mobility issues, such as difficulty using arms or using a wheelchair or crutches
820
0.3%
Personal care support
20
0.0%
A mental health condition, such as depression, schizophrenia or anxiety disorder
2,225
0.8%
A long standing illness or health condition such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, chronic heart disease, or epilepsy
3,765
1.3%
Two or more impairments and/or disabling medical conditions
2,100
0.7%
A social/communication impairment such as Aspergers syndrome/other autistic spectrum disorder (1)
340
0.1%
A specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or AD(H)D
9,400
3.2%
A disability, impairment or medical condition that is not listed above (1)
3,145
1.1%
Not recorded
3,800
1.3%
No known disability
263,060
90.7%
Total HE enrolments
290,000
100.0%
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 5.
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 are 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 table below shows the number and percentage of higher education enrolments split by disability type.
Enrolments in higher education (HE) in Scottish HEIs and colleges by disability type: 2010-11
Disability Type
Number of HE enrolments
Percentage of all HE enrolments
Blind or a serious visual impairment uncorrected by glasses
525
0.2%
Deaf or a serious hearing impairment
800
0.3%
A physical impairment or mobility issues, such as difficulty using arms or using a wheelchair or crutches
820
0.3%
Personal care support
20
0.0%
A mental health condition, such as depression, schizophrenia or anxiety disorder
2,225
0.8%
A long standing illness or health condition such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, chronic heart disease, or epilepsy
3,765
1.3%
Two or more impairments and/or disabling medical conditions
2,100
0.7%
A social/communication impairment such as Aspergers syndrome/other autistic spectrum disorder (1)
340
0.1%
A specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or AD(H)D
9,400
3.2%
A disability, impairment or medical condition that is not listed above (1)
3,145
1.1%
Not recorded
3,800
1.3%
No known disability
263,060
90.7%
Total HE enrolments
290,000
100.0%
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 5.
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-12837 by reference.