Reduced third-level take-up for some groups

SOME social groups are less well represented in the country’s third-level colleges than eight years ago, despite overall improvements in participation.

A significant new study of social, geographical and educational backgrounds of third-level students shows a largely more positive picture than research undertaken in 1998.

The findings arise from a 2004 Economic and Social Research Institute survey of third-level students for the Higher Education Authority (HEA).