Big jump in numbers studying education

THE number of people studying education at Scottish universities increased by almost 10 per cent in just a year.

Those taking science subjects was also up more than three per cent in 2016/17 compared with the previous year.

The figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency show overall university enrolments at Scottish institutions increased by 2.7 per cent, up from 235,565 in 2015/16 to 241,935 in 2016/17.

Education studies saw the biggest rise, with 15,240 students in 2016/17, compared with 13,905 in the year before.

In particular, the number of students taking a computer science course rose by nine per cent compared with 2015/16.

Further and Higher Education Minister Shirley-Anne

Somerville welcomed the increase in student numbers.

“It is a clear demonstration of the strength of Scotland’s reputation as a fantastic place to live, study, and work,” she said.