Monday 26 September 2011

What subjects are university students choosing to study?


The Guardian Online published a report today (26th September 2011), stating that according to the latest Higher Education Statistics Agency HESA, more UK students than ever before are going to university.

Over 500,000 students started university in 2009/10 with the number of first time degree students increasing steadily year on year since 2006/07. UCAS saw a 8.7% increase in student applications from the previous year.

With increased tuition fees due to be in place in 2012/13, it's not clear if the rise in applications will continue at the same rate.

Despite the increase in UCAS applications, acceptances and the number of first time full degree students increasing, those starting part-time Higher Education (HE) courses dropped in 2009/10 by -2.7%.

Mathematical sciences recorded the biggest percentage increase on the previous year as 26,225 students opted for the subject in 2009/10. This represents a 26.3% increase on the 2005/06 figure.

Business & administrative studies, mass communication & documentation and engineering & technology saw the biggest rises after mathematical sciences for full-time undergraduate students. For post-graduates, both architecture, building & planning and mass communications & documentation reported over 20% increases in subject selection.

The number of part-time staff at HE institutions increased by 3.4% whereas full-time staff increased by a slight 0.4%. Part-time staff has increased hugely since 2005/06 - there has been a near 20% rise, whereas full-time staff have increased by a mere 5.8% over the same period.

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