asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the total postgraduate studentships awarded by the Department of Education to both male and female students in the past four years; and if he will give details as to the criteria under which the awards are made and the value of such awards and the subjects covered.

The information is as follows:

	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79	1979–80
Male	164	202	187	180
Female	42	74	73	80
Total	206	276	260	260

Applicants should be ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland for three years prior to the start of the course; hold a good honours degree, normally from a university or polytechnic in the British Isles; and be recommended for an award by the head of department at the institution of graduation. As the number of studentships in any year is limited, they are allocated on a competitive basis primarily with regard to academic merit.The value of a studentship, covering maintenance grant and tuition fees, averaged £1,547, £2,372, £2,673 and £3,005 respectively in each of the four academic years.Studentships covered subjects in science, technology, natural environment, social science and humanities, but not agriculture or medicine.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total number of postgraduate bursaries awarded by the Department of Education to both male and female students in the past four years; and if he will give details of the criteria under which the awards are made and the value of such awards and the subjects covered.

The information is as follows:

	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79	1979–80
Male	17	73	73	86
Female	23	31	44	72
Total	40	104	117	158

Applicants for bursaries must be ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom for three years and resident in Northern Ireland on the relevant date prior to the start of the course, and should hold a university degree or equivalent qualification. As the number of bursaries in any year is limited, they are allocated on a competitive basis primarily with regard to academic merit.The value of bursaries covering maintenance grant and tuition fees, averaged £896, £1,587, £1,899 and £2,126 respectively in each of the four academic years and covered art and design, continuing education, European studies, film and theatre studies, interpreting and translating, journalism, legal studies, library studies, management and industrial relations and tourism.