33% rise in mature students in third level

THE number of mature students going to college has jumped by almost a third in just three years, figures reveal.

The Irish Examiner has learnt 4,125 students aged 23 or over started third level courses in autumn 2006, almost 1,000 more than the 3,195 mature students enrolling in higher education just two years earlier.

The figures collected by the Higher Education Authority show the numbers studying for qualifications at universities and institutes of technology. While the growth reflects general increases in third level places overall, they show a rising proportion are being filled by older students.