HC Deb 17 December 1979 vol 976 cc12-3W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students from overseas are currently undergraduates in their first year of degree courses in United Kingdom universities and polytechnics.

Dr. Boyson

The latest available information for first degree students in Great Britain classified as overseas for fees purposes is as follows:

Universities: new entrants Other establishments including polytechnics: on first year of degree course
1977–78 7,729 3,732
1978–79 7,894 Not available*
1979–80 7,200
* Detailed further education statistics for 1978–79 have been exceptionally delayed largely owing to a computer strike earlier this year but I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as these are available.
†Provisional.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students from overseas are currently studying postgraduate courses in United Kingdom universities and polytechnics; and what percentage of this number is receiving research bursaries from Her Majesty's Government.

Dr. Boyson

The available information on postgraduates classified as "overseas" for fees purposes is as follows:

GREAT BRITAIN
Universities Other establishments including polytechnics
1977–78 18,077 1,341
1978–79 18,516 N.A.

About 10 per cent. of university postgraduates are thought to have been supported by the British Council and Government sources.