How many qualifiers from APs are there?
The total number of qualifications achieved in 2017/18 from undergraduate designated courses at APs was 15,815. This was an increase of 3% in the number of qualifications achieved from undergraduate designated courses in 2016/17. The largest increase, both in absolute and percentage terms was amongst other undergraduate qualifications. The only level of study to see a drop in the number of qualifications achieved between 2016/17 and 2017/18 was HNC/HND qualifications.
In 2017/18, first degree qualifications accounted for 46% of undergraduate HE qualifications obtained on designated courses at APs.
Figure 10 - Alternative provider qualifications obtained by level of qualification obtained
Academic years 2015/16 to 2017/18
Of those gaining a classified first degree:
- The percentage of students achieving a first or upper second has remained stable at 58% over the period 2015/16 to 2017/18.
- A larger proportion of female students gained a first or upper second class honours than male students.
- A larger proportion of part-time students gained a first or upper second class honours than full-time students.
- Amongst publicly funded HE providers, 76% of those gaining a classified first degree obtained a first or upper second in 2017/18.
There were 180 students who qualified from a designated course with an unclassified first degree in 2017/18. These students are excluded from Figure 11 but included in the total number of first degree qualifiers in Figure 10.
Figure 11 - Percentage of first degree qualifiers on designated courses obtaining each classification
Academic years 2015/16 to 2017/18
Figure 12 shows that on designated courses in 2017/18:
- More qualifications were awarded in law than any other subject area.
- Among undergraduates, business & administrative studies saw more qualifiers than any other subject.
- Science subject areas accounted for 9% of qualifications awarded.
Figure 12 - Alternative provider qualifications obtained on designated courses by subject area and sex
Academic years 2015/16 to 2017/18