§ Mr. Charles KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was(a) the total number of students on first degree courses at Scottish higher education institutions in each of the past five years and (b) the number of those students taking four-year honours degree courses. [15057]
§ Mr. WilsonThe total number of first degree students—full time and part time—in Scottish higher education institutions for the most recent five years available is set out in the table.
Number of first degree students in Scottish HEIs Year Full time Part time Total 1991–92 78,182 5,169 83,351 1992–93 87,057 7,014 94,071 1993–94 93,394 7,722 101,086 1994–95 97,928 6,012 103,840 1995–96 99,434 6,198 105,632 However, it is not possible to ascertain how many of these students undertook a four-year honours degree course. The only point at which it is known that a student has studied for an honours degree is when they obtain their qualification. The following tables set out data for 73W full-time first degree graduates from Scottish higher education institutions for 1994–95 and 1995–96. It is not possible to identify the number of years taken to obtain the qualification in data prior to 1994–95.
1994–95 Year of student Honours Other Total Less than four years 3,545 5,407 8,952 Four years 10,187 928 11,115 More than four years 2,041 342 2,383 Total 15,773 6,677 22,450 The following table shows that of the 15,773 honours graduates for Scottish HEIs in 1994–95, 10,187–65 per cent—obtained the qualification after completing four years of study. The 3,545 graduates who completed an honours degree in less than four years will include direct entrants into second year and also students transferring between higher education institutions to study the same course.
1995–96 Year of student Honours Other Total Less than four years 2,900 6,162 9,062 Four years 12,219 1,149 13,368 More than four years 2,031 642 2,673 Total 17,150 7,953 25,103
§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland further to his answer to the hon. Member for Tiverton and Honiton (Mrs. Browning) of 4 November,Official Report, column 156, how many potential university entrants had confirmed places for Scottish universities by 1 August; and if he will make a statement. [15314]
§ Mr. WilsonThe information requested is not held centrally. Information on university applications may be obtained from the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), Fulton House, Jessop Avenue, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 3SH.