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Dept for Education and Skills

Answer

Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the changes in the numbers of students taking up science courses at (a) university and (b) A level in the last 10 years; and what steps the Government are taking to increase the number of students studying science. [198931] Dr. Howells: The Government's "Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004-2014", published in July sets out very clearly the challenge we face in securing an increase in the number of students taking A levels and enrolling on undergraduate science courses. The Framework builds on and takes forward progress made in response to earlier reviews of this subject, most notably the review carried out by Sir Gareth Roberts in 2002 and published as "SET for Success". Compared with 10 years ago, the proportion of A level and undergraduate students taking science courses has decreased (5.8 per cent. between 1994 and 2004 for A level entries in England; 6.7 per cent. between 1992 and 2002 for undergraduates enrolled in higher education institutions in Great Britain). The Framework sets out a raft of measures to ensure that every stage of the education system, from primary schools to universities, can play its part in producing the excellent supply of highly skilled scientists and engineers which we need for the economy.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

198931; 426 c2156-7W;426 c2162-3W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Admissions Higher education Universities Science Student numbers GCE A-level

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

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