The bar chart illustrates the number of full-time and part-time students, both male and female, in further education in Britain from 1970 to 1991, measured in thousands. It is evident that both men and women preferred part-time education over full-time education during this period.
Overall, the number of full-time students increased for both genders. Notably, the highest number of males chose part-time education in 1970/71, while the highest number of females did so in 1990/91.
The number of males pursuing part-time education fluctuated over these three periods. In 1970/71, approximately 1,000 men opted for part-time education, but this number decreased in 1980/81. However, in 1990/91, it experienced a slight increase, reaching over 800 thousand. In contrast, the number of males in full-time education steadily increased throughout the periods, with an approximate rise of 100 thousand from 1970/71 to 1990/91, totaling around 100 thousand, 110 thousand, and 200 thousand respectively.
For both part-time and full-time education, the number of females in further education also increased across these three periods. In 1970/71, around 700 thousand females chose part-time education. This figure rose to 800 thousand in 1980/81 and reached approximately 1,100 thousand in 1990/91, marking the highest number during the three periods. Similarly, the number of females in full-time education increased slightly as well, rising from 50 thousand to over 200 thousand from 1970/71 to 1990/91.