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Dept for Education and Skills

Answer

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total number of students studying (a) mathematics (b) physics, (c) biology and (d) chemistry-related degrees was in each of the last 10 years. [218883] Dr. Howells: [holding answer 28 February 2005]: The available information is given in the table. A new method of coding subject was introduced on the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) student record in 2002/03, hence figures for 2002/03 onwards are not directly comparable to earlier years. First degree enrolments to UK HEIs1, 1994/95 to 2003/04 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Physical sciences2 Of which: Academic year Mathematical sciences Total Physics Chemistry 1994/95 15,200 51,730 9,470 15,115 1995/96 14,875 51,930 9,365 14,730 1996/97 15,240 51,915 9,915 14,520 1997/98 15,990 50,725 9,645 14,325 1998/99 15,675 50,220 9,710 14,315 1999/2000 15,635 49,115 9,435 13,615 2000/01 16,090 47,615 9,210 12,755 2001/02 16,190 45,435 8,855 12,160 2002/033 19,690 48,975 9,185 12,200 2003/043 19,810 48,990 9,585 11,815 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. 1 Figures exclude the Open University to maintain a consistent time series. 2 Physical sciences includes chemistry, materials science, physics, astronomy, forensic and archaeological studies, geology, ocean sciences and physical geography. 3 Figures are not comparable to earlier years due to a change in the coding methodology for subject of study in 2002/03. Note: Figures are on snapshot basis as at 1 December and are rounded to the nearest 5. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) First degree enrolments to UK HEIs1, 1994/95 to 2003/04 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Biological sciences2 Academic year Total Of which: biology All subjects 1994/95 49,820 16,880 915,965 1995/96 54,075 17,190 949,865 1996/97 60,265 17,755 968,875 1997/98 65,930 17,100 989,110 1998/99 66,550 17,285 1,001,765 1999/2000 67,625 16,965 1,000,210 2000/01 69,235 16,790 1,023,140 2001/02 70,100 15,985 1,054,390 2002/033 95,340 17,995 1,095,615 2003/043 99,525 18,200 1,131,870 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. 1 Figures exclude the Open University to maintain a consistent time series. 2 Biological sciences includes biology, botany, zoology, genetics, microbiology, sports science, molecular biology, biophysics, biochemistry and psychology. 3 Figures are not comparable to earlier years due to a change in the coding methodology for subject of study in 2002/03. Note: Figures are on snapshot basis as at 1 December and are rounded to the nearest 5. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

218883; 431 c1351-2W;431 c1345-6W

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Chemistry Graduates Higher education Science Biology Mathematics Physics

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk