HC Deb 14 October 1991 vol 196 cc49-50W
Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many postgraduate awards were allocated for the academic year 1991–92; how many were quotas and XNI awards in Northern Ireland; how many were science-related awards; how many were related to the social sciences and humanities; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Mawhinney

For the 1991–92 academic year, the Department of Education for Northern Ireland made available 387 postgraduate studentships and bursaries, of which 238 were quota awards for study at the two universities in Northern Ireland and 149 were XNI awards for study in other parts of the United Kingdom. A total of 207 of the awards were science related and 180 related to the social sciences and humanities.

In addition, the Department provided 71 bursaries for study at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies and 20 distinction awards.

The number of postgraduate awards made available to Northern Ireland students is a set proportion of those made by the various award-making bodies in Great Britain. In allocating awards and determining their division between quotas and XNI, the Department is advised by an independent advisory board for postgraduate awards.