Pupils and students, 1 October 2002

Approximately 167,400 pupils were enrolled in upper secondary schools in 2002. In 2001 the corresponding number was nearly 162,900. The number of pupils participating in general education decreased from 92,700 to 88,800, but pupils in vocational education increased from 70,200 to 78,600. This trend indicates a more balanced enrolment rate between general and vocational education.

The number of apprentices shows a small decline compared with figures from 2001.

There is also, in general, a decline in the number of pupils enrolled in other upper secondary education. At folk high schools there was no significant difference in the number of pupils enrolled between 2001 and 2002, whereas the largest decline was found in labour market courses at upper secondary level, a decline of 13 per cent.

The participation rate exceeds 80 per cent of all 16-18 year-olds in 2002 for all counties

In Hordaland more than 91 per cent of all 16-18 year-olds were enrolled in upper secondary education in 2002. Counties with the smallest portions of 16-18 year-olds in upper secondary education were Finnmark, where 82 per cent were enrolled, followed by Troms and Oslo at almost 84 per cent.

More than 9,500 pupils and apprentices are older than 30 years in 2002, and this age group increased by 6 per cent from 2001. Looking more closely at enrolment patterns in the different counties, there are large differences. In Oppland 13 per cent of the pupils and apprentices in upper secondary education were older than 30 years. In Akershus and Møre and Romsdal only 2 per cent were older than 30 years.

No change in gender pattern in choosing different areas of study

In 2002 boys still dominate in vast numbers in some areas of study in vocational education- such as building and construction trades, technical building trades as well as electrical trades. Girls choose health and social care studies, arts, crafts and design studies, hotel and food-processing trades and also sales and service, and dominate equally in these areas of study.

13 out of 15 areas of study, in both general and vocational education, have had an increase in the number of students enrolled, where general and business studies and arts, crafts and design studies faced a decline.

Technical vocational school has a growing popularity

The different technical vocational schools have had, overall, an increase in the number of students enrolled in 2002. Approximately 3,100 students were participating in technical vocational school in 2002, 400 more than in 2001. The female portion was higher in 2002 than in 2001, but the female portion only amounts to 5 per cent of all students at this level of education.

Male majority at three institutions providing tertiary level of education

Only three institutions providing tertiary level of education had a male majority in 2002, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration (NHH) and the Narvik College. The NTNU and Narvik College offer a wide range of technological subjects and degrees, NHH a Master's programme in International Business, subjects that are traditionally favoured by male students. In addition, the portion of female students at the military colleges was very low, only 7 per cent.

A great deal of students have parents with tertiary level of education

Almost 57 per cent of the students at tertiary level in Norway have parents who have attained education at the tertiary level. At the various regional colleges the portion is approximately 33 per cent. More than 23 per cent of the students attending universities and colleges have parents with tertiary education with a duration of four years or longer, while the portion at the regional colleges is nearly 8 per cent.

A lot of students are 30 years or older

More than 33 per cent of the students registered in tertiary level of education in 2002 were 30 years or older. The portion of students 35 years or older was about 22 per cent. A majority of the students who are 30 years or older are registered at colleges. At universities and colleges the portion of female students in the age group 35 years and older was 63 per cent. At the colleges close to 70 per cent of the students above 34 years were females.

Rise in the number of students at most institutions

The universities and the colleges, in sum, had a decrease in the number of students from 2000 to 2001, but the number of registered students rose from 2001 to 2002. The University of Bergen and the Agricultural College of Norway experienced an increase in the number of students in both 2001 and 2002. The number of students dropped both in 2001 and 2002 at t he Free Faculty of Theology.

Collectively, the colleges had an increase in the number of students in both 2001 and 2002. Only six of the colleges experienced a decrease in the number of students from 2001 to 2002.

The rise in the number of registered students at the Norwegian School of Management is due to the inclusion of so- called ' business courses', which normally comprise small subjects organised to suit wage earners rather than full- time students. The number of students registered at 'business courses' was approximately 8,000 in 2002.

Tables:

• Table 1 Pupils and students by parents educational level and type of school. 1 October 2002. Per cent
• Table 2 Pupils and students, by age, gender and type of college. 1 October 2002
• Table 3 Pupils in folk high schools and upper secondary education by gender and type of school. 1 October 1999-2002
• Table 4 Apprentices and pupils under the Upper Secondary Education Act by age and county of residence. 1 October 2002
• Table 5 Pupils under the Upper Secondary Education Act by type of education and gender. 1 October 2002
• Table 6 Apprentices and pupils under the Upper Secondary Education Act by age, gender and class level. 1 October 2002
• Table 7 Pupils in folk high schools and upper secondary education by gender, type of school and ownership og school. 1 October 2002
• Table 8 Students, by gender, type of college, ownership and educational institution. 1 October 2000-2002
• Table 9 Students, by age and type of college. Absolut figures and percentages. 1 October 2002
• Table 10 Pupils and students, by type of school and age and in per cent of registered cohort. 1 October 2002