Further education enrolments rise by 5% compared to previous academic year
Date published:
New official statistics published today by NISRA statisticians in the Department for the Economy, present a range of analyses regarding enrolments and students in the Northern Ireland Further Education Sector, covering academic years 2020/21 to 2024/25.
Key points
All enrolments:
- The number of FE College enrolments rose by a net 20% between the pandemic-impacted 2020/21 (97,530) and 2024/25 (116,860), including a 5% increase in the most recent academic year.
- The regulated share of enrolments decreased from 90% in 2020/21 to 79% in 2024/25.
- Over two-fifths (42%) of 2024/25 enrolments were mainstream funded by the Department for the Economy.
Regulated enrolments:
- Of the 92,160 regulated enrolments in 2024/25, 82% were at Level 2 or above, down from 83% in 2020/21.
- Three-quarters (74%) of regulated enrolments are part-time, while more males than females study full-time.
- Higher Education enrolments decreased by a net 1%, from 10,035 in 2020/21 to 9,925 in 2024/25.
Qualifications and performance:
- Although the success rate (the percentage of final year regulated enrolments of students who complete and achieve a qualification) remained at 79% in net terms, 12% more qualifications were awarded in 2024/25 (58,055) than in 2020/21 (52,000).
Students:
- The number of FE sector students rose by a net 19% between 2020/21 (55,970) and 2024/25 (66,690), including a 5% increase in 2024/25.
- In 2024/25, 3% more students were enrolled on regulated courses (52,375) than in 2020/21 (50,810).
- The number of students achieving regulated qualifications increased by a net 9%, from 33,925 in 2020/21 to 37,070 in 2024/25.
About this publication
This report presents a range of analysis regarding enrolments and students (both regulated and non-regulated) in the Northern Ireland Further Education Sector covering academic years 2020/21 to 2024/25.
The statistics presented cover the characteristics of those enrolling in FE colleges along with analysis of areas of deprivation, funding schemes and performance (retention, achievement and success rates).
Further information
For the full report: FE Sector Activity Statistical Bulletin - 2020/21 to 2024/25 - December 2025
View data tables and background information: Further Education Sector Activity in Northern Ireland: 2020/21 to 2024/25