HC Deb 21 January 1986 vol 90 cc156-7W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has on the geographical distribution of student enrolments in the Open University.

Mr. Walden

The numbers of Open University students by region of study is as follows:

as to the number of students in the United Kingdom who received postgraduate awards over the same period, by sex, and as to the number of postgraduate student awards which have been made over the same period from public funds from each award making body.

Mr. Walden

Figures by sex and total United Kingdom expenditure are not readily available. The available information is as follows:

1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84
Student numbers Cost £000's Student numbers Cost £000's Student numbers Cost £000's Student numbers Cost £000's Student numbers Cost £000's
POSTGRADUATE AWARDS:
Department of Education and Science 3,472 9,171 3,524 11,171 3,319 11,567 3,077 11,244 2,475 9,758
RESEARCH COUNCILS†
Agricultural and Food 106 335 111 419 107 490 113 538 112 558
Medical 1,460 4,455 1,372 5,193 1,362 6,013 1,408 5,715 1,461 6,694
Natural Environment 1,058 3,301 1,105 4,204 1,091 4,741 1,087 5,221 1,118 5,612
Sciences and Engineering 7,836 25,275 7,638 29,777 7,451 33,653 7,330 35,071 8,508 40,771
Economic and Social 2,934 9,259 2,587 9,442 2,197 9,172 1,814 8,567 1,823 8,044
ALL UNITED KINGDOM
AWARDS‡ 19,234 19,000 18,134 17,586 18,247

Relates to studets receiving Department of Education and Science awards throughout the United Kingdom.

Relates to students in Great Britain.

Including awards made by the Scottish and Northern Ireland Education Departments. The cost of these awards is not readily available.