Credits and graduations from higher education, 2002/2003

A total of 29 400 people graduated from tertiary education in school year 2002/2003. This is almost the same number in school year 2001/2002. More than 15 900 people graduated from the state colleges and this was a slight decrease. There was a reduction in the number of graduates from private tertiary institutions. Persons who graduated from doctoral programs are not included.

Even distribution of gender in long tertiary education

Women represented half of the 6 700 graduates in long tertiary education and dominated short tertiary education with 63 per cent of total number of graduates. Long tertiary education has duration of more than four years while short tertiary education has duration of up to four years. A total of 17 700 women graduated comprising 60 per cent of the 29 400 graduates in tertiary education this school year. There were twice as many female graduates from state colleges as males. Female graduates were also in the majority among graduates at the universities and university colleges.

There is still a large female dominance among graduates in health, welfare and sports with almost 83 per cent of total number of graduates in this field of study in school year 2002/2003. Women equally dominated education with 76 per cent. Highest proportion of men was in the natural sciences, vocational and technical subjects with almost 73 per cent.

Tables:

• Table 1 Graduates by gender and educational level. Preliminary figures. 1997/1998, 2001/2002 and 2002/2003
• Table 2 Graduates, by gender and fields of education. Preliminary figures. 1997/98, 2001/02-2002/03
• Table 3 Graduates, by level, gender and type of college. Preliminary figures. 2002/2003