A culture of lifelong learning
Much energy has been directed by government to create a culture of lifelong learning to equip people for employment in a competitive economy.
Over 60% of young people leaving high schools in Northern Ireland go on to university or college. The participation rate in higher education is 45%, notably higher than in Great Britain.
Northern Ireland is well served with a network of further and higher education colleges. The courses provided focus on economic and workforce development. Around 31,000 full-time and 117,000 part-time students are currently enrolled on professional and vocational courses. In addition, 75,000 students are enrolled on non-professional and technical courses including adult basic education and a wide range of part-time hobby courses.
At university level, government provides funding to Northern Ireland’s two universities – Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Ulster, as well as the two teacher training university colleges Stranmillis and St. Mary’s.
