Written question asked by Anne Main (Conservative) on Friday, 24 November 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 28 November 2006. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Monday, 4 December 2006 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Physics (Universities)

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent assessment he has made of provision of physics courses in universities.

Answer: The number of students on physics courses has increased by 6 per cent. over the 10 years to 2004 and new entrants have also increased by 10 per cent. over the last two years. Subjects like physics are starting to become more popular and the measures we are taking to increase demand and the extra £75 million announced earlier this month should help to sustain capacity as demand increases. Physics is also taught as a major subject at some 50 UK institutions. We have consistently made clear that if a physics department closes at one institution, the Higher Education Funding Council for England should seek to maintain regional capacity elsewhere and we recently announced that the council should report to us on how provision can be maintained in this way.

Secondary information