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Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Thursday, 30 March 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 April 2006. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 May 2006 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Medicine Courses

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students have been admitted to university to read medicine on courses which lead to registration as doctors with (a) less than three Bs at A-level and (b) less than three Cs at A-level in each of the last seven years.
Answer

Admission of students to medical, and other, courses is a matter for individual institutions. The main scheme for widening participation is Aimhigher which aims to raise the attainment levels of young people, their aspirations towards university, and improve progression. Most activities are not subject-specific, although some local and regional activities are designed to raise awareness of and encourage progression to specific subjects such as medicine. Aimhigher does not include the delivery of degree or other higher education programmes. Information on the pre-entry qualifications of students entering first degree courses in medicine is, however, provided in the following tables.

English domiciled entrants to first degree courses in medicine, by qualifications on entry1
English domiciled entrants to first degree courses in medicine, by qualifications on entry1 Year of entry Entrants with A levels as highest qualification on entry of which, those with scores equivalent to: Less than 3 Bs2/300 tariff points Less than 3 Cs/less than 240 tariff points
Based upon A level points score from the student's best three A levels, 1998/9 to 2001/2.
1998/99 2,920 75 30
1999/00 2,835 135 40
2000/01 3,155 160 30
2001/02 3,420 235 60
Based upon UCAS tariff score from A levels from student reporting A level as their highest qualification on entry, 2002/3 to 2004/5.
2002/033,4,5 3,760 170 75
2003/04 4,177 200 65
2004/05 4,270 130 55
1 Figures for 1998/99 to 2001/02 are points based upon the students best three A levels. In 2002/03 the UCAS tariff replaced A level scores. The tariff covers a wider range of qualifications though it is possible to identify those students with the tariff equivalent of 3 grade Bs (300 points) or 3 grade Cs (240 points). However, tariff score contains an unlimited number of eligible qualifications, not just the student best three A levels. 2 Including students with less than 3 Cs/240 tariff points. 3 In 2002/03 a new method of coding subject of study was introduced on the student record, though the impact to entrants in medicine is likely to be small. 4 Figures given for 2002/03 in a previous answer on 14 November 2004 were based upon all students with A level points recorded. This included some students who had a higher qualification on entry (for example a first degree). 5 Figures for 2002/3 to 2004/5 are based upon students tariff score from A levels where A levels are their highest qualification on entry. Note: Figures are on a snapshot basis as at 1 December and have been rounded to the nearest 5. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
446 c975-6W; 63642
Session
2005-06
Subjects
Higher education Medicine
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk