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NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS

1. The Scottish Age Participation Index ( API) for a given year is defined as the number of young Scots aged under 21 who enter a full-time HE course for the first time in that year taken as a percentage of the population of 17 year olds at 31 December in the same year. In simple terms it is an estimate of the share of 17 year olds in the population who, can be expected to enter HE for the first time before their 21 ^st birthday , if current trends continue.

2. The data used to calculate the Age Participation Index ( API) for Scotland are collected by the Higher Education Statistics Agency ( HESA) from Higher Education Institutions ( HEIs) and by the Scottish Funding Council ( SFC) from Scottish colleges.

3. A one percent change in the overall API would correspond to a change of around 645 in the number of young student entrants (based on current estimates for the population of 17 year olds in Scotland).

4. This is a National Statistics publication. National Statistics are produced to high

professional standards as set out in the National Statistics Code of Practice. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference.

This news release, together with associated tables listed above, is published on the Scottish Executive website http://www.scotland.gov.uk/llstatistics those who do not have access to the internet, please contact Andrew Walker. See details below.

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For media enquiries please contact:

Tel. (0131) 244 3070

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For further information, non-media enquiries and comments on this publication please contact:

Tel. (0141) 242 0424
Fax. (0141) 242 5579
E-mail.andrew.walker@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

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