Statistics Publication Notice Lifelong Learning Series: Attainment in Higher Education and Destinations of Leavers 2006-07

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Subject of Study

In terms of broad subject groups, the number of qualifiers from medical studies subjects has increased by 2% in the last year (200 qualifiers). Science and engineering subjects have also seen an increase of 5% (915 qualifiers). Qualifiers from business and social studies subjects increased by 3% (745) and qualifiers from education and the arts rose by 5% (725). The largest percentage increases in individual subject areas were in architecture, law and humanities; which rose by 16% (435), 13% (320) and 13% (175) respectively. Decreases were seen in agriculture, mass communication and business administration, which fell by; 9% (45), 8% (115) and 1% (175) respectively. Qualifiers in languages have risen by 9% (190) despite a 3% fall in those gaining qualifications in English, indicating an increase in foreign language qualifiers. (Table 7).

Looking at broad subject groups; in 2006-07 39% of qualifiers were from business and social studies subjects (30,160). 23% were from subjects in the science and engineering group (17,755) and 21% were from education and the arts (16,130), 12% were from medical studies (9,120). In terms of individual subjects; architecture, biological sciences and law saw the largest percentage increases since 2005-06. A fifth of qualifiers from Scottish institutions were from business administration courses (15,565). (Table 7).

Table 7: Qualifiers from higher education courses at Scottish institutions by subject of study: 2003-04 to 2006-07

Subject of Study

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

All Subjects

65,720

69,885

74,515

77,380

Medical Studies

Allied Medicine

6,470

7,480

7,675

7,825

Medicine and Dentistry

1,330

1,340

1,245

1,295

Total

7,800

8,820

8,920

9,120

Science and Engineering

Agriculture

545

565

495

450

Biological Sciences

3,255

3,605

3,465

3,830

Engineering and Technology

5,580

5,400

6,000

6,160

Information Technology

4,180

4,210

4,035

4,220

Mathematical Sciences

655

820

730

750

Physical Sciences

1,645

1,790

1,715

1,920

Veterinary Science

440

420

395

425

Total

16,295

16,810

16,840

17,755

Business and Social Studies

Architecture

2,080

2,250

2,650

3,085

Business Administration

13,930

14,025

15,740

15,565

Law

2,105

2,335

2,510

2,830

Mass Communication

1,305

1,430

1,420

1,305

Social Studies

5,995

6,560

7,100

7,370

Total

25,420

26,600

29,415

30,160

Education and the Arts

Creative Arts

5,135

5,130

5,715

5,955

Education

4,445

5,375

6,160

6,285

Humanities

1,415

1,625

1,400

1,575

Languages

1,415

1,540

2,125

2,315

Total

12,405

13,665

15,405

16,130

Combined

3,800

3,990

3,935

4,220

Supplementary subjects contained in the above

Economics and Politics

1,255

1,350

1,365

1,600

English

935

980

1,200

1,160

Geography and Environmental Science

760

840

805

840

Psychology

1,115

1,160

1,140

1,245

Sources: Higher Education Statistics Agency ( HESA) & Scottish Funding Council ( SFC).
In this table 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest 5.
Numbers may not sum to totals exactly due to rounding.
A more detailed table of subjects for Higher Education Institutions can be found in the statistics section of the Scottish Government website: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Lifelong-learning/DataRHEI1
Further notes: please see note 4 of 'Notes to Tables'.

Of those gaining first-degree qualifications from Scottish HEIs in 2006-07 there was a 1 percentage point increase in the proportion of those achieving first class honours (increase of 1 percentage point for both males and females). (Table 8).

Table 8: Examination results of qualifiers from first degree courses at Scottish higher education institutes by gender and award: 1999-00 to 2006-07 1

Academic year by gender

Total (=100%)

First Class Honours (%)

Upper Second Class Honours (%)

Other Second Class & Lower Honours (%)

Other First Degree, including aegrotat 2 (%)

Total

1999-00

25,630

7

36

28

29

2000-01

25,905

8

37

27

28

2001-02

26,260

8

36

29

27

2002-03

25,950

9

35

25

31

2003-04

27,270

8

34

25

33

2004-05

29,165

8

33

26

33

2005-06

29,500

9

33

27

31

2006-07 1

30,525

10

33

26

31

Males

1999-00

11,330

8

33

31

28

2000-01

11,105

9

34

30

27

2001-02

11,285

9

32

31

27

2002-03

10,925

9

32

29

30

2003-04

11,570

9

32

29

31

2004-05

11,925

9

31

30

31

2005-06

12,240

9

31

31

29

2006-07 1

12,655

10

33

27

30

Females

1999-00

14,300

7

37

25

31

2000-01

14,800

8

39

24

29

2001-02

14,975

8

38

27

28

2002-03

15,025

8

38

23

31

2003-04

15,705

8

35

23

34

2004-05

17,240

8

34

23

35

2005-06

17,260

8

35

24

33

2006-07 1

17,870

9

34

25

32

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency ( HESA).
In this table 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest 5.
Numbers may not sum to totals exactly due to rounding.
Percentages have been calculated on unrounded values.
1. This data includes an update from The University of Aberdeen for awards in academic year 2006-07.
2. Aegrotat degrees; this is an honours degree without classification, awarded on the understanding that had the candidate not been unwell, he or she would have passed.
Further notes: please see notes 2 and 6 of 'Notes to Tables'.

Page updated: Monday, October 27, 2008