Annual Statistical Supplement.

Introduction

This is the first Annual Statistical Supplement 2004. The Annual Statistical Supplements extend the analysis summarised in the Annual Statistical Report.


Currently, the Annual Statistical Report provides information on uptake and attainment for the top 50 Higher National Certificates (HNC), Higher National Diplomas (HND), and Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ).


Following feedback, this supplement extends this report and supplies trend figures for all HNCs, HNDs and SVQs with entries and awards in the years 2000/01 to 2003/04. Information is supplied for each individual qualification — ie, not grouped by qualification title as in the main Report. Below you will find: a description of each qualification type with some comment on trends observed in the data; Excel tables which give the uptake and attainment information; and a user guide to give advice on how to interrogate the information in the spreadsheets.


Higher National Certificate

Higher National Certificates (HNCs) are specially designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge required by employers. They are made up of twelve Higher National Unit credits, and typically take one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study. They may allow direct entry to the second year of some university degree courses.


In general, entries for HNCs have tended to increase over the four years, with a peak observed in 2002. The number of awards made over the same period, however, has tended to decrease, except for in 2002 where there was an increase in line with the increase in entries.


There were HNC programmes in a huge range of subjects from Accounting to Working with Communities. Participation in these programmes varied widely – from one to over 1,700 entries, and from one to over 1,500 awards, in a given year.


The HNC spreadsheet details the number of entries and awards for every course for each of the four academic years from 2001 to 2004. The comments below highlight some of the trends and changes over this period.


> Click here to download the HNC spreadsheet


HNC Commentary

For HNCs, Social Care has been one of the most popular programmes over all four years, with around 1,800 entries for each of the past three years, while Childcare and Education has had the most awards for every year from 2001 to 2004. The number of entries for Social Sciences has increased in general, apart from a drop in 2003, and the HNC in Supporting Learning Needs is another area where there have been increased numbers from 2002 to 2004.


There were over 1,500 entrants for Computing for three of the last four years, but there was a noticeable drop in 2003 to just over 800 entries. Programmes in Information Technology and Multimedia had fewer entries in 2004 than in any of the previous years. Computer Aided Design entries have remained stable, with a slight increase in 2002. Computer and Network Support has become very popular recently, increasing from 40 to nearly 170 entries.


There were over 1,000 entries for Administration and Information Management and for Business Administration in each of the last four years. After peaking in 2002, the figures have stabilised. There was a similar trend for Accounting, although it had fewer entries (between 800 and 950). Participation in Legal Services has increased steadily over the past four years, from just over 100 to almost 200 entrants.


Mechanical, Electrical and Electronic Engineering have each attracted about 300 entries per year. Mechatronics has decreased in popularity recently from 300 down to 100 entrants. Both Engineering and Engineering Practice had over 100 entrants for most of the last four years, but they did experience dips in 2003. Construction programmes have had around 400 entries for each of the past three years, an increase of over 25% from 2001.


Sport programmes attracted just below 300 entries a year, and numbers have remained stable. The Fitness Health and Exercise programme has increased to over 200 participants for the past three years. The figures for Acting and Performance present a similar picture.


Travel and Tourism programmes experienced a peak in 2002 but subsequently fell back to the previous year’s level.


Entries continue to be strong for HNCs, meeting the demands of employers today. Courses in the traditional fields such as engineering and construction are still proving popular, whereas increased demand and legislation in the field of care may have prompted the large numbers of entries for programmes in that area.


Higher National Diploma

Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) are specially designed to meet the needs of employers. They are made up of 30 Higher National Unit credits, and are intended for students at a post-school, but below degree, level. Generally taken in a college of further education, they typically take two years of full-time study. In some cases an HND may allow direct entry to the third year of a university degree course.


In the period 2001 to 2004, there were between 12,000 and 13,000 entries for HND programmes each year. These numbers have been increasing over time, with the largest increase between 2002 and 2003. There have been fluctuations in the number of awards over time, varying from between 6,400 and 7,600 awards per year.


There were HND programmes in a huge range of subjects, from Accounting to Wind Instrument Technology. Participation in these programmes varied widely from one to over 1,500 entries, and from one to over 1,200 awards, in a given year.

The HND spreadsheet details the number of entries and awards for every programme in each of the four academic years from 2001 to 2004. The comments below highlight some of the trends and changes over this period.


>
Click here to download the HND spreadsheet


HND Commentary

Business Administration had the most entries (around 800) of all the HND programmes every year since 2001, and the most awards for almost every year. Other programmes in this area with high uptake were Accounting and Administration and Information Management. The programme in Legal Services has been popular, with an average of approximately 160 entries over the years.


In 2004, more certificates were awarded in Beauty Therapy than for any other HND. The number of entries for this HND has increased steadily from 2001. The programme in Make-Up Artistry has also increased in popularity, up from 58 entries in 2001 to 158 in 2004.


The most popular programme in the area of computing was Computing: Software Development. Entries for this were decreasing until a second, more up-to-date programme was introduced, and subsequently the total number of entries over the two programmes increased by over 45%. A similar phenomenon was seen with Computing: Support and Computing: Technical Support. Entries for Computer and Network Support and Administration also increased markedly in the last two years. Multimedia programmes increased in popularity from 2001 to 2003, but have dropped after a peak of around 300 entries in 2003.


Another popular programme over all years was Social Sciences, with an average of approximately 500 entries, although there was a slight dip in numbers in 2003.


The group of engineering HNDs shows a stable picture, with just over 1,000 students in total entering every year. Entries in the fields of civil and mechanical engineering have increased steadily over the years. HNDs in electronics declined in popularity after a peak in 2002.


Subjects in sport and fitness have been strongly supported. Sports Coaching with Sports Development has had over 400 entries for each of the four years, with more than 600 in 2003. Entries for Fitness, Health and Exercise have increased by more than 20% over the period. An average of approximately 110 students were entered for Sports Therapy.


There has been a decline in participation in Travel with Tourism and Tourism of over 30% since 2001. Entries in Hospitality have remained stable at around 250, although there were only 225 in 2004.


Awards in Television Operations and Production and Music and Audio Technology increased steadily over the period 2001 to 2004. Acting and Performance has also proved popular, with approximately 100 awards per year.


Interior Design and Architectural Technology increased in popularity up until 2003, but there has been a slight fall in entries for 2004.


After 80 years of HN qualifications, entries are still strong. One key feature has been the way that they have been adapted and changed throughout the years to meet the demands of shipbuilding, construction, engineering, electronics, and manufacturing.


HNDs in the traditional fields such as business and engineering are still proving popular, alongside new courses in areas such as IT, media and broadcasting, sports, and personal appearance. A decrease in popularity of travel and tourism courses may reflect the downturn in the travel agency business.



Scottish Vocational Qualifications

The purpose of Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) is to certificate students who can meet the National Occupational Standards defined by standards-setting bodies.


SVQs are available at five levels and consist of units which are designed to be assessed in the conditions of the workplace. These levels range from 1 (level 4 on the SCQF framework, which is equivalent to Intermediate 1 or General level Standard Grade) to 5 (level 11 on SCQF framework, which is equivalent to masters degree level).


On the accompanying spreadsheet, entries and awards data are given for SVQs which were ‘awarded by SQA’. Those SVQs which are offered by another awarding body, or other awarding bodies operating in partnership, are not included. As with HNCs and HNDs, the table lists each SVQ with the number of entries and awards for each of the four academic years (2001 to 2004).


From this data it can be seen that, despite some fluctuation, there has been an overall upward movement in entries and awards for SVQs. Level 2 and level 3 SVQs made up the vast majority of entries, with approximately 90% of the total. Over half of all entries were for level 2, although this proportion has decreased with time. In contrast, the proportion for level 3 has increased to 40%.


Over the period 2001 to 2004, there have been SVQs in a huge range of subjects with widely differing participation levels. The number of entries per SVQ has ranged from one in, for example, Construction: Thatching, to 2,281 in Administration. Similarly, there were between 1 and 1,956 awards per SVQ. The comments below highlight some of the trends and changes over this period.


>
Click here to download the SVQ spreadsheet


SVQ Commentary

The purpose of Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) is to certificate students who can meet the National Occupational Standards defined by standards-setting bodies.


SVQs are available at five levels and consist of units which are designed to be assessed in the conditions of the workplace. These levels range from 1 (level 4 on the SCQF framework, which is equivalent to Intermediate 1 or General level Standard Grade) to 5 (level 11 on SCQF framework, which is equivalent to masters degree level).


On the accompanying spreadsheet, entries and awards data are given for SVQs which were ‘awarded by SQA’. Those SVQs which are offered by another awarding body, or other awarding bodies operating in partnership, are not included. As with HNCs and HNDs, the table lists each SVQ with the number of entries and awards for each of the four academic years (2001 to 2004).


From this data it can be seen that, despite some fluctuation, there has been an overall upward movement in entries and awards for SVQs. Level 2 and level 3 SVQs made up the vast majority of entries, with approximately 90% of the total. Over half of all entries were for level 2, although this proportion has decreased with time. In contrast, the proportion for level 3 has increased to 40%.


Over the period 2001 to 2004, there have been SVQs in a huge range of subjects with widely differing participation levels. The number of entries per SVQ has ranged from one in, for example, Construction: Thatching, to 2,281 in Administration. Similarly, there were between 1 and 1,956 awards per SVQ. The comments below highlight some of the trends and changes over this period.