The charts below show the main reasons for study among students of different age groups and the amount of support they received from employers.

The bar charts compare

students

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of different ages in terms of why they are studying and whether they are supported by an employer.

It is clear that

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the proportion of

students

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who

study

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for career purposes is far higher among the younger age groups,

while

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the oldest

students

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are more likely to

study

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for interest. Employer support is more commonly given to younger

students

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. Around 80% of

students

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aged under 26

study

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to

further

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their careers,

whereas

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only 10%

study

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purely out of interest. The gap between these two proportions narrows as

students

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get older, and the figures for those in their forties are the same, at about 40%.

Students

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aged over 49 overwhelmingly

study

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for interest (70%) rather than for professional reasons (less than 20%). Just over 60% of

students

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aged under 26 are supported by their employers.

By contrast

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, the 30-39 age group is the most self-sufficient, with only 30% being given time off and help with fees. The figures rise slightly for

students

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in their forties and for those aged 50 or more.