HC Deb 30 July 1981 vol 9 cc511-2W
Mrs. Dunwoody

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the average percentage rise in applications to universities in Great Britain in 1981–82 as compared with 1980–81; and what was the percentage rise in applications to the university of Keele in the same period.

Dr. Boyson

Total applications by home and overseas candidates received by 31 March 1981 were 1 per cent. down over the same period in 1980. Applications by home candidates showed an increase of 4 per cent. These figures relate to applications made through the universities central council on admissions for undergraduate level courses in the United Kingdom universities and exclude some applications which are made direct to the university concerned. The council does not make available figures for applications to individual universities.

Mrs. Dunwoody

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of undergraduates nationally are women; and what percentage of undergraduates at the university of Keele are women.

Dr. Boyson

In 1979–80, 38 per cent. of full-time and sandwich undergraduates in the universities of Great Britain were women. At the university of Keele the figure was 45 per cent.

Mrs Dunwoody

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of undergraduates nationally are mature; and what percentage of undergraduates at the university of Keele are mature.

Dr. Boyson

For the purposes of higher education planning, mature undergraduate students are defined to be those aged 21 or over on entry to their course. In 1979–80, 16 per cent. of full-time and sandwich new entrants to undergraduate courses in the universities of Great Britain were aged 21 and over. At the university of Keele the figure was 19 per cent.

Mrs. Dunwoody

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which universities have an electronics and recording studio equipped for computer syntheses.

Dr. Boyson

I shall write to the hon. Member with the information that she requests.

Mrs. Dunwoody

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which universities offer courses enabling undergraduate students to transfer to degree courses in chemistry, mathematics, physics and Russian.

Dr. Boyson

Keele university offers transfer sessional courses to students who wish to take a science, a language or music as a principal subject in their degree and who have not obtained an A-level qualification.

Mrs. Dunwoody

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which universities offer a four-year course, the first year of which is devoted to general studies.

Dr. Boyson

The university of Keele offers just such a course and the university of Sussex offers a four-year course with a two-term preliminary arts or science course during the student's first year.

Mrs. Dunwoody

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in which universities a science course is an obligatory part of first degrees.

Dr. Boyson

Undergraduates at Keele university, whatever their course, must at a minimum study one science subject at subsidiary level for one year.