To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of people from the constituency of Rochdale have participated in higher education in each year since 1997; and what percentage are of South Asian descent.

Participation rates are not calculated by the Department for each parliamentary constituency. The available information covering students domiciled in Rochdale constituency who are enrolled on a higher education course is given in the table. Enrolments by those of South Asian descent are not held centrally. The available information covers those of Asian descent.

⁽³⁹⁾ Figures are rounded to the nearest 0 or 5.

⁽⁴⁰⁾ "Asian" includes the ethnic categories "Asian or Asian British—Indian, Asian or Asian British—Bangladeshi", "Asian or Asian British—Pakistani", Chinese/Other Ethnic Background—Chinese', "Other Asian Background" and for 2001/02 onwards, "Mixed—White and Asian".

⁽⁴¹⁾ In 2001/02 a more detailed ethnicity categorisation was introduced by HESA which included new codes for those of mixed ethnicity. Prior to 2001/02 we do not know if those in the category "Mixed—White and Asian" would have classed themselves in the "white" category or in one of the Asian categories. Thus, figures for 2001/02 onwards may not be directly comparable with those for earlier years.

Source:

Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).