The latest figures are shown in the tables. Data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency are only available from 1994/95 onwards; figures for the previous years are taken from published sources which do not separately identify Physics and Mathematics.
Subject Physical Sciences2 Engineering and Technology Mathematical and Computing Sciences3 All Subjects Number 1991 9,400 17,400 8,700 161,500 1992 10,200 18,800 9,800 178,700 1993 10,800 19,400 10,900 189,200 Proportion (Percentage) 1991 6 11 5 100 1992 6 11 5 100 1993 6 10 6 100 1 Figures are given on a calendar year basis and not an academic year; therefore they are not comparable to the figures in the table. 2 Including Physics. 3 Including Mathematics. Notes: The figures are compiled from data collected by the Universities Statistical Record (USR), covering students at former—UFC funded universities, and the education departments of the four home countries, covering students at non-university HE and FE institutions. Source: Education Statistics for the United Kingdom 1993,1994 and 1995 editions.
Subject Academic year Physical Sciences Of which: Physics Engineering and Technology Mathematical Sciences Of which: Mathematics All Subjects Number 1994/95 13,440 2,480 22,085 4,070 3,435 237,795 1995/96 13,785 2,000 23,320 4,070 3,385 251,250 1996/97 14,070 2,440 23,015 3,705 3,115 255,260 1997/98 13,295 2,320 22,575 3,940 3,370 258,755 1998/99 13,055 2,320 22,010 4,250 3,640 263,670 1999/2000 13,185 2,300 20,550 4,095 3,545 265,265 2000/01 2 13,205 2,450 20,490 4,295 3,720 272,665 2001/02 12,415 2,210 20,285 4,125 3,725 274,440 2002/03 12,475 2,205 19,455 5,100 4,390 282,380 2003/04 11,995 2,180 19,780 5,395 4,655 292,090 2004/05 12,530 2,235 19,575 5,270 4,575 306,365 2005/06 12,900 2,365 19,765 5,500 4,815 315,985 Proportions (Percentage) 1994/95 6 1 9 2 1 100 1995/96 5 1 9 2 1 100 1996/97 6 1 9 1 1 100 1997/98 5 1 9 2 1 100 1998/99 5 1 8 2 1 100 1999/2000 5 1 8 2 1 100 2000/01 2 5 1 8 2 1 100 2001/02 5 1 7 2 1 100 2002/03 4 1 7 2 2 100 2003/04 4 1 7 2 2 100 2004/05 4 1 6 2 1 100 2005/06 4 1 6 2 2 100 1 In 2002/03 the coding frame and the method of recording subject of study was changed. The Joint Academic Classification Scheme (JACS) was introduced which although similar to the previous coding frame, is not directly comparable. Additionally, figures are on a full person equivalent basis whereby a student is apportioned between each of their subjects of study. 2 From 2000/01 students qualifying from a dormant mode of study are included in the figures; they are excluded in all previous years. Incoming exchange students are excluded from the figures from 2000/01 onwards; they were included in all previous years. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) student record
The latest figures from UCAS for students applying to enter full-time undergraduate courses in 2007 show that applications for these subjects have risen significantly: Physics is up by 12 per cent., Mathematics by 10 per cent. and most of the engineering subjects are also up including chemical engineering (by 16 per cent.), Civil engineering (by 13 per cent.) and Mechanical engineering (by 8 per cent.).