May 2012
Statistical Bulletin
Degree-Course Destinations of Accepted Applicants with Physics and Mathematics A-level or Scottish Higher 2006–2011
D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 a p r i l 2 01 2
X: Chapter head
This report was prepared for the Institute of Physics by Sean McWhinnie of Oxford Research and Policy.
Oxford Research and Policy is a consultancy that carries out research and evaluation, and specialises in higher education, science policy, and equality and diversity. Tel +44 (0)1235 439188E-mail info@oxfordresearchandpolicy.co.ukwww.oxfordresearchandpolicy.co.uk
iD e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
Contents
Contents
Summary� 1
1:��Introduction� 2
2:��Course�destinations�of�accepted�applicants�with�A-levels� 32.1: Accepted applicants with physics A-levels 52.2: Accepted applicants with physics and mathematics but not
further mathematics A-levels 62.3: Accepted applicants with physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels 62.4: Accepted applicants with mathematics A-levels 7
3:��Course�destinations�of�accepted�applicants�with�Scottish�Highers� 9
Appendix�A� 12
Appendix�B:��List�of�tables� 28
Appendix�C:��List�of�figures� 29
Summary
1
• In 2011, a total of 31,845 accepted applicants to first-degree courses held A-level physics, 76,977 held A-level mathematics and 12,922 held A-level further mathematics.
• The majority of accepted applicants who held A-level physics did so in combination with A-level mathematics. In 2011, only 16.4% of those with A-level physics did not hold mathematics and/or further mathematics.
• Male accepted applicants who hold A-level mathematics and/or further mathematics are much more likely also to hold A-level physics than female accepted applicants who hold A-level mathematics and/or further mathematics.
• The majority of those accepted applicants who held A-level physics entered degree courses in physics, mathematics or engineering: the most popular course destination was physics, with 9.7% of accepted applicants. There are differences between the course destinations of male and female accepted applicants: male accepted applicants are more likely to have entered engineering courses and are less likely to have entered preclinical medicine or chemistry courses.
• Among the accepted applicants who held physics and mathematics but not further mathematics A-levels in 2011, physics was the second most popular course destination for males, with 10.6% of accepted applicants, and was the most popular course choice for females, with 9.2% of accepted applicants.
• 26.0% of accepted applicants who held physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels entered mathematics courses and 13.2% entered physics courses.
• Among accepted applicants with mathematics A-level, mathematics was the most popular course destination for both male and female accepted applicants. 5.6% of male and 1.7% of female accepted applicants entered physics courses.
• In 2011, a total of 6873 accepted applicants held a Scottish Higher in physics and 13,566 held a Higher in mathematics: 6464 accepted applicants held a Higher in both physics and mathematics.
• The majority of accepted applicants who held a Higher in physics entered science, technology, engineering or medical degree courses. 5.7% of male and 2.7% of female accepted applicants entered physics courses. Of those who held a Higher in physics and mathematics 6.1% of male and 2.8% of female accepted applicants entered physics courses.
Summary
D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
1: Introduction
2
1: Introduction
This report presents an overview of the course des-tinations of accepted applicants to higher-education first-degree courses who hold combinations of phys-ics, mathematics and/or further mathematics A-level, or combinations of physics and/or mathematics Scot-tish Higher. The data source for the report is the Uni-versity and College Admissions Service (UCAS). UCAS is the organisation responsible for managing applica-tions to higher-education courses in the UK. In addi-tion, some of the data in the report are attributed to the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), which repre-sents the largest providers of qualifications, including A-levels, in the UK.
The raw data for this report includes any accepted applicant with at least one A-level in one of physics, mathematics or further mathematics, or at least one Higher in one of physics or mathematics. The accepted applicant is considered to have an A-level or Higher if they achieved a grade (i.e. had tariff points awarded).
The A-level and Higher data used in this report are from the UCAS Awarding Body Linkage (ABL). For the A-level data, accepted applicants have been included
in the report if they achieved an A-level (notified through the ABL) in mathematics, further mathematics and/or physics. Applicants that only achieved AS-levels or Double Awards have not been included.
Scottish-domiciled accepted applicants have been included in the report if they achieved a Scottish Quali-fications Authority (SQA) Higher (notified through the ABL) in mathematics and/or physics. SQA Advanced Highers, CSYS, Intermediate 2, National Certificates and National Diplomas have not been included.
Section 2 presents data on the course destinations of accepted applicants in 2011 who held various com-binations of physics, mathematics and further math-ematics A-levels, and section 3 presents data on the course destinations of accepted applicants in 2011 who held combinations of physics and mathematics Highers. More detailed information on the course des-tinations of accepted applicants between 2006 and 2011 who held various combinations of physics, math-ematics and further mathematics A-levels, and combi-nations of physics and mathematics Scottish Highers is presented in Appendix 1.
3
2: Course destinations of accepted applicants with A-levels
D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
In 2011, a total of 31,845 accepted applicants to higher-education, first-degree courses held A-level physics, 76,977 held A-level mathematics and 12,922 held A-level further mathematics.
In 2011, there were 32,860 entries to A-level exami-nations in physics – 26,011 entries by male candidates and 6849 entries by female candidates. The figures of 31,845 accepted applicants in total, 24,552 males and 7293 females, who held A-level physics are close to these figures. Although the accepted applicants in 2011 with A-level physics will include those who obtained their qualifications in 2011 and in earlier years, the fig-ures for examination entrants and accepted applicants are relatively close and consequently the likelihood is that the majority of those who enter A-level physics examinations go on to first-degree courses.
There was a total of 82,955 A-level entrants to math-ematics in 2011 – 49,828 males and 33,167 females. There were 45,126 male and 31,851 female accepted applicants holding A-level mathematics in 2011. In fur-ther mathematics, a total of 12,287 entered the A-level examination in 2011 – 8455 males and 3832 females. There were 8754 male and 4168 female accepted applicants holding A-level further mathematics in 2011.
Overall, a larger number of females with A-level physics, and males and females with A-level further mathe matics, entered degree courses in 2011 than the respective numbers who entered A-level examinations. The same pattern occurred in 2010. Between 2006 and 2009, the number of female accepted applicants with A-level further mathematics was higher than the num-ber of candidates who entered A-level further mathe-matics, and in 2009 and 2006 the number of female accepted applicants with A-level physics was higher than the number of candidates who entered A-level physics (see Appendix 1).
In general, the number of female accepted appli-cants with A-level physics is very close to the number of A-level entrants in any given year, while the number of male accepted applicants is about 1500 fewer than the entrants in any given year. Similarly, the numbers of male and female accepted applicants with A-level further mathematics are close to the numbers of male and female entrants to further mathematics each year. Although the vast majority of those who take A-levels enter degree courses, these figures suggest that females who take A-level physics are more likely to enter degree courses than males, and that males and females who take A-level further mathematics are more likely to enter degree courses than entrants to physics or mathematics.
The breakdown of the accepted applicants holding various combinations of physics, mathematics and fur-ther mathematics A-levels is shown in figure 1.
Of the accepted applicants to first-degree courses holding A-level physics: ●● 18,552 held physics and mathematics A-levels but not further mathematics; ●● 5228 held physics A-level but not mathematics or further mathematics; ●● 8015 held physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels; and ●● 50 held physics and further mathematics but not mathematics A-levels.
The vast majority of accepted applicants who held A-level physics did so in combination with A-level math-ematics: only 16.4% of those with A-level physics did not hold mathematics and/or further mathematics.
Table 2 shows the most popular course destinations of accepted applicants who held A-level physics in combination with mathematics and/or further math-ematics A-level in 2011.
Comparing the combinations of A-levels held by male and female accepted applicants is interesting. ●● Of the 24,552 male accepted applicants who held A-level physics, 15.5% did not hold mathematics and/or further mathematics A-levels.●● Of the 7293 female accepted applicants who held A-level physics, 19.5% did not hold mathematics and/or further mathematics A-levels.
2: Course destinations of accepted applicants with A-levels
Source: JCQ and UCAS
Table�1: The number of entries to A-level examinations in physics, mathematics and further mathematics, and the number of accepted applicants to first degree courses who held physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels in 2011
Subject Male Female Total
Physics Entrants 26,011 6849 32,860
Accepted applicants
24,552 7293 31,845
Mathematics Entrants 49,828 33,167 82,995
Accepted applicants
45,126 31,851 76,977
Further mathematics
Entrants 8455 3832 12,287
Accepted applicants
8754 4168 12,922
2: Course destinations of accepted applicants with A-levels
4 D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
Tabl
e�2:
The
15
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ular
cou
rse
dest
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ccep
ted
appl
ican
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hem
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201
1
Rank
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Phys
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Phys
ics
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mat
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mat
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mat
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se d
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se d
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1Ph
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s30
84Ch
emis
try30
4M
athe
mat
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2080
Mec
hani
cal e
ngin
eerin
g21
78
2M
echa
nica
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ring
2911
Prec
linic
al m
edic
ine
302
Phys
ics
1055
Phys
ics
1963
3M
athe
mat
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2853
Biol
ogy
270
Mec
hani
cal e
ngin
eerin
g62
8Ci
vil e
ngin
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g12
82
4Ci
vil e
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eerin
g17
12Ot
hers
in s
ubje
cts
allie
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m
edic
ine
249
Gene
ral e
ngin
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g43
1El
ectro
nic
and
elec
trica
l en
gine
erin
g92
3
5El
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and
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gine
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01Co
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cien
ce17
9Co
mbi
natio
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f thr
ee
subj
ects
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ther
gen
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co
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s
368
Aero
spac
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g85
6
6Co
mpu
ter s
cien
ce12
17M
olec
ular
bio
logy
, bi
ophy
sics
& b
ioch
emis
try15
7Ci
vil e
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5Pr
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ical
med
icin
e76
0
7Ch
emis
try12
07Ph
arm
acol
ogy,
toxic
olog
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arm
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129
Elec
troni
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ectri
cal
engi
neer
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305
Mat
hem
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s75
5
8Ae
rosp
ace
engi
neer
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1185
Geol
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119
Econ
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s28
9Co
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cien
ce75
5
9Pr
eclin
ical
med
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e11
54De
sign
stu
dies
113
Com
pute
r sci
ence
282
Chem
istry
752
10Ge
nera
l eng
inee
ring
1002
Arch
itect
ure
106
Aero
spac
e en
gine
erin
g27
9Ch
emic
al, p
roce
ss a
nd
ener
gy e
ngin
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g57
4
11Ec
onom
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863
Hist
ory
by p
erio
d10
6Ch
emic
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gy e
ngin
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g19
0Ec
onom
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526
12Ch
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al, p
roce
ss a
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ener
gy e
ngin
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g78
4Ph
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aphi
cal
scie
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105
Com
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tions
of
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mat
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161
Gene
ral e
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5
13Co
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subj
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gen
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784
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4Co
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ithin
m
athe
mat
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&
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149
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469
14Ar
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a92
Chem
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135
Com
bina
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of t
hree
su
bjec
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r oth
er g
ener
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cour
ses
330
15Ot
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allie
d to
med
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e47
5Ps
ycho
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87Co
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athe
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sc
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e wi
th s
ocia
l st
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s/bu
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112
Geol
ogy
263
Tota
l31
,845
5228
8015
18,5
52
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Sour
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CAS
5
2: Course destinations of accepted applicants with A-levels
D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
●● 24.9% of male accepted applicants and 26.1% of female accepted applicants who hold physics A-level do so in combination with mathematics and further mathematics.●● Examination of the populations of male and female accepted applicants who held mathematics and further mathematics A-levels shows significant differences. ●● Of the 45,126 male accepted applicants who held mathematics A-level, 48.4% did not hold physics and/or further mathematics A-levels, and 45.9% held A-level physics. ●● Of the 31,851 female accepted applicants who held mathematics A-level, 74.6% did not hold physics and/or further mathematics A-levels, and 18.4% held A-level physics. ●● More than 99% of both males and females who held further mathematics A-level also held mathematics A-level. ●● Of the 8754 male accepted applicants who held further mathematics A-levels, 69.8% did so in combination with mathematics and physics A-levels, and 29.5% did so with mathematics A-level only.●● Of the 4186 female accepted applicants who held further mathematics A-levels, 44.5% did so in combination with mathematics and physics
A-levels, and 53.4% did so with mathematics A-level only. ●● Male accepted applicants who held A-level mathematics and/or further mathematics were much more likely to also hold A-level physics than female accepted applicants who held A-level mathematics and/or further mathematics.
2.1:�Accepted�applicants�with�physics�A-levelsA total of 31,845 accepted applicants held A-level physics in 2011: 24,552 males (77.1%) and 7293 females (22.9%). A comparison between the most popular course destinations for all accepted applicants who held A-level physics and those for females and males is shown in table 3.
The top 10 course destinations represent the choices of 59.2% of male accepted applicants and 46.9% of female accepted applicants. Overall, the majority of those accepted applicants who held physics A-level entered physics, mathematics or engineering courses. The most popular course destination was physics, with 9.7% of accepted applicants. There are differences between the course destinations of male and female accepted applicants. For males the most popular course choice for accepted applicants was mathemat-
Figure�1: The combinations of physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels held by accepted applicants to first-degree courses in 2011
Source: UCAS
2: Course destinations of accepted applicants with A-levels
6 D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
ics, which 10.5% entered. For females the most popular course choice for accepted applicants was mechani-cal engineering, which 10.9% entered. Physics was the second most popular course destination for both males and females, with 10.3% and 7.5% of male and female accepted applicants, respectively. Preclinical medicine is the third choice of female accepted applicants, which 5.7% entered. In contrast, 3.6% of males entered pre-clinical medicine, the ninth choice for male accepted applicants. Engineering courses were much more popu-lar among male than female accepted applicants.
5228 accepted applicants held A-level physics but not mathematics or further mathematics A-level. Of these only 65 (1.2%) entered physics courses, which is in line with the usual entry requirements for phys-ics courses – that candidates hold both physics and mathematics A-levels.
2.2:�Accepted�applicants�with�physics�and�mathematics�but�not�further�mathematics�A-levels18,552 accepted applicants held physics and math-ematics but not further mathematics A-levels in 2011: 14,599 males (78.7%) and 3953 females (21.3%). A comparison between the most popular course destina-tions for all accepted applicants who held A-level phys-ics and mathematics but not further mathematics, and those for males and females, is shown in table 4.
The top 10 course destinations represent the choices of 61.9% of male accepted applicants and 48.5% of female accepted applicants. It is notable that engi-neering courses were more popular with males than females, and males’ destination choices were concen-trated into fewer subjects than those of females.
Overall, the most popular course destination was mechanical engineering, with 11.7% of accepted appli-cants. For males the most popular course choice for accepted applicants was mechanical engineering, which 13.7% entered. For females the most popular course choice for accepted applicants was physics, which 9.2% entered. Physics was the second most popular course destination for males with 10.6% of accepted applicants. 7.0% of female accepted appli-cants entered preclinical medicine, which was the second choice for female accepted applicants. 4.1% of males entered preclinical medicine, which was the sixth choice for male accepted applicants.
2.3:�Accepted�applicants�with�physics,�mathematics�and�further�mathematics�A-levels8015 accepted applicants held physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels in 2011: 6110 males (76.2%) and 1905 females (23.8%). A comparison between the most popular course destinations for all accepted applicants who held A-level physics, math-ematics and further mathematics, and those for males and females, is shown in table 5.
The top 10 course destinations represent the choices of 78.8% of male accepted applicants and 69.6% of female accepted applicants.
Overall, a relatively high proportion of accepted applicants – 26.0% – entered mathematics courses. Furthermore, more than half of the accepted applicants entered just four courses. This confirms that those can-didates who have chosen to study a relatively focused set of A-levels like physics, mathematics and further mathematics, are likely to select a relatively focused set of courses to study at university. The second most
Source: UCAS
Table�3: Comparison between the most popular course destinations of male and female accepted applicants with physics A-level in 2011
Overall Males Females
Course destination
% Course destination
% Course destination
%
Physics 9.7 Mechanical engineering
10.9 Mathematics 10.5
Mechanical engineering
9.1 Physics 10.3 Physics 7.5
Mathematics 9.0 Mathematics 8.5 Preclinical medicine
5.7
Civil engineering 5.4 Civil engineering 5.8 Chemistry 4.5
Electronic and electrical engineering
4.1 Electronic and electrical engineering
4.8 Civil engineering 3.8
Computer science
3.8 Computer science
4.7 Mechanical engineering
3.4
Chemistry 3.8 Aerospace engineering
4.2 Combinations of three subjects, or other general courses
3.3
Aerospace engineering
3.7 Chemistry 3.6 Architecture 3.3
Preclinical medicine
3.6 General engineering
3.4 Others in subjects allied to medicine
2.5
General engineering
3.1 Preclinical medicine
3.0 Chemical, process and energy engineering
2.4
7
2: Course destinations of accepted applicants with A-levels
D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
popular course destination for both males and females was physics, with 14.4% and 9.3% of male and female accepted applicants, respectively. Although there are differences between the choices of males and females, there is less variation than that between males and females taking other combinations of physics, math-ematics and further mathematics.
2.4:�Accepted�applicants�with�mathematics�A-levelsThere were 70,591 accepted applicants with math-ematics A-level in 2011: 41,006 (58.1%) males and 29,585 (41.9%) females.
A comparison between the most popular course des-tinations for all accepted applicants who held A-level mathematics and those for males and females is shown in table 6.
The top 10 course destinations represent the choices of 48.0% of male accepted applicants and 41.2% of female accepted applicants. Mathematics was the most popular course destination for both male and female accepted applicants, with 8.4% and 8.2% of male and female accepted applicants entering math-ematics courses, respectively. 5.6% of male accepted applicants entered physics courses, the fourth most popular choice, and 1.7% of female accepted appli-cants, the 16th most popular choice. For females, psy-chology, law and medical-related subjects were more popular course destinations, and engineering course destinations were less popular, than for males.
Source: UCAS
Table�4: Comparison between the most popular course destinations of accepted applicants with physics and mathematics but not further mathematics A-levels in 2011
Overall Males Females
Course destination
% Course destination
% Course destination
%
Mechanical engineering
11.7 Mechanical engineering
13.7 Physics 9.2
Physics 10.6 Physics 11.0 Preclinical medicine
7.0
Civil engineering 6.9 Civil engineering 7.5 Mathematics 5.3
Electronic and electrical engineering
5.0 Electronic and electrical engineering
5.7 Chemistry 5.1
Aerospace engineering
4.6 Aerospace engineering
5.2 Civil engineering 4.8
Preclinical medicine
4.1 Computer science
4.9 Architecture 4.5
Mathematics 4.1 Chemistry 3.8 Mechanical engineering
4.3
Computer science
4.1 Mathematics 3.7 Chemical, process and energy engineering
3.0
Chemistry 4.1 Preclinical medicine
3.3 Combinations of three subjects, or other general courses
2.9
Chemical, process and energy engineering
3.1 Chemical, process and energy engineering
3.1 Aerospace engineering
2.5
2: Course destinations of accepted applicants with A-levels
8 D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
Source: UCAS Table�6: Comparison between the most popular course destinations of accepted applicants with mathematics A-level in 2011
Overall Males Females
Course destination % Course destination % Course destination %
Mathematics 8.3 Mathematics 8.4 Mathematics 8.2
Economics 5.2 Mechanical engineering 6.4 Preclinical medicine 5.6
Preclinical medicine 4.5 Economics 6.2 Psychology 4.0
Mechanical engineering 4.1 Physics 5.6 Economics 3.8
Physics 4.0 Computer science 4.4 Law by area 3.5
Chemistry 3.3 Civil engineering 4.0 Chemistry 3.4
Combinations within business & admin studies
3.0 Preclinical medicine 3.8 Others in subjects allied to medicine
3.3
Computer science 2.9 Chemistry 3.3 Pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacy
3.3
Civil engineering 2.8 Electronic and electrical engineering
3.0 Combinations within business & admin studies
3.1
Accounting 2.8 Combinations within business & admin studies
2.9 Accounting 2.9
Source: UCAS Table�5: Comparison between the most popular course destinations of accepted applicants with physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels in 2011
Overall Males Females
Course destination % Course destination % Course destination %
Mathematics 26.0 Mathematics 25.0 Mathematics 29.0
Physics 13.2 Physics 14.4 Physics 9.3
Mechanical engineering 7.8 Mechanical engineering 9.2 Combinations of three subjects, or other general courses
5.4
General engineering 5.4 General engineering 5.5 General engineering 5.0
Combinations of three subjects, or other general courses
4.6 Civil engineering 4.6 Economics 4.7
Civil engineering 4.6 Electronic and electrical engineering
4.4 Civil engineering 4.3
Electronic and electrical engineering
3.8 Combinations of three subjects, or other general courses
4.3 Mechanical engineering 3.5
Economics 3.6 Computer science 4.2 Chemistry 3.0
Aerospace engineering 3.5 Aerospace engineering 3.9 Chemical, process and energy engineering
2.8
Computer science 3.5 Economics 3.3 Combinations within mathematical and computer science
2.5
9
3: Course destinations of accepted applicants with Scottish Highers
D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
3: Course destinations of accepted applicants with Scottish Highers
In 2011, a total of 6873 accepted applicants held a Scottish Higher qualification in physics and 13,566 held a Higher in mathematics; 6464 accepted applicants held a Higher in physics and mathematics. For males, a total of 4688 accepted applicants held a Higher in phys-ics and 6719 held a Higher in mathematics; 4420 male accepted applicants held a Higher in physics and math-ematics. For females, a total of 2185 accepted appli-cants held a Higher in physics and 6847 held a Higher in mathematics; 2044 female accepted applicants held a Higher in physics and mathematics. A further math-ematics Higher qualification is not offered in Scotland.
A total of 6873 accepted applicants held a Higher in physics in 2011: 4688 males (68.2%) and 2185 females (31.8%). A comparison between the most popular course destinations for all accepted applicants who held a Higher in physics and those for males and females is shown in table 7.
The top 10 course destinations represent the choices of 47.6% of male accepted applicants and 38.6% of female accepted applicants. Overall, the majority of those accepted applicants who held a Higher in phys-ics entered science, technology, engineering or medical courses. 5.7% of male and 2.7% of female accepted applicants entered physics courses, which were the fourth and 12th most popular choices, respectively. Males were more likely to enter engineering or phys-ics courses than females; females were more likely to enter preclinical medicine or biological science-related courses than males. Females were also more likely to enter courses such as law, nursing, psychology and ophthalmics courses than males.
409 accepted applicants held a Higher in physics but not mathematics and they entered a broad range of courses.
A total of 6464 accepted applicants held a Higher in physics and mathematics in 2011: 4420 males (68.3%) and 2044 females (31.7%). A comparison between the most popular course destinations for all accepted applicants who held a Higher in physics and those for males and females is shown in table 8.
Since the majority of accepted applicants who held a Higher in physics also held a Higher in mathemat-ics, there is not a great deal of difference between
the course destinations shown in table 7 and table 8. The top 10 course destinations represent the choices of 48.8% of male accepted applicants and 39.5% of female accepted applicants. 6.1% of male and 2.8% of female accepted applicants entered physics courses, the third and 10th most popular choices, respectively.
Table 9 shows the most popular course destinations of accepted applicants who held a Higher in physics in combination with mathematics in 2011.
Table�7: Comparison between the most popular course destinations of male and female accepted applicants with a physics Scottish Higher in 2011
Overall Males Females
Course destination % Course destination % Course destination %
Mechanical engineering
7.9 Mechanical engineering
10.3 Preclinical medicine
8.6
Preclinical medicine
5.3 Computer science 5.9 Pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacy
4.3
Physics 4.7 Civil engineering 5.9 Law by area 4.3
Civil engineering 4.4 Physics 5.7 Nursing 4.0
Computer science 4.2 Chemical, process and energy engineering
4.2 Biology 3.0
Chemical, process and energy engineering
3.8 Electronic and electrical engineering
4.1 Mathematics 3.0
Law by area 3.2 Preclinical medicine
3.7 Chemical, process and energy engineering
3.0
Electronic and electrical engineering
3.0 Accounting 2.8 Psychology 2.8
Accounting 2.7 Law by area 2.7 Anatomy, physiology and pathology
2.8
Pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacy
2.5 Chemistry 2.3 Ophthalmics 2.7
Source: UCAS
3: Course destinations of accepted applicants with Scottish Highers
10 D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
Table�8: Comparison between the most popular course destinations of male and female accepted applicants with physics and mathematics Scottish Highers in 2011
Overall Males Females
Course destination % Course destination % Course destination %
Mechanical engineering
8.3 Mechanical engineering
10.8 Preclinical medicine 8.8
Preclinical medicine 5.4 Civil engineering 6.2 Pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacy
4.6
Physics 5.0 Physics 6.1 Law by area 4.4
Civil engineering 4.6 Computer science 5.8 Nursing 3.9
Computer science 4.2 Chemical, process and energy engineering
4.4 Mathematics 3.2
Chemical, process and energy engineering
4.0 Electronic and electrical engineering
4.0 Chemical, process and energy engineering
3.2
Law by area 3.1 Preclinical medicine 3.9 Biology 2.9
Electronic and electrical engineering
3.0 Accounting 2.9 Psychology 2.9
Accounting 2.8 Law by area 2.5 Ophthalmics 2.8
Pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacy
2.6 Chemistry 2.4 Physics 2.8
Source: UCAS
11
3: Course destinations of accepted applicants with Scottish Highers
D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
Source: UCAS
Table�9: The 15 most popular course destinations of accepted applicants with physics Scottish Higher in combination with mathematics Scottish Higher 2011
Rank Scottish Highers held by accepted applicant
Physics ü Physics ü Physics ü
Mathematics ü/û Mathematics û Mathematics ü
Course destination Count Course destination Count Course destination Count
1 Mechanical engineering 541 Law by area 22 Mechanical engineering 534
2 Preclinical medicine 361 Computer science 21 Preclinical medicine 351
3 Physics 326 Others in subjects allied to medicine
16 Physics 326
4 Civil engineering 299 Biology 14 Civil engineering 296
5 Computer science 292 Business studies 13 Computer science 271
6 Chemical, process and energy engineering
260 Management studies 13 Chemical, process and energy engineering
258
7 Law by area 221 Electronic and electrical engineering
12 Law by area 199
8 Electronic and electrical engineering
204 Design studies 12 Electronic and electrical engineering
192
9 Accounting 186 Nursing 11 Accounting 182
10 Pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacy
169 Combs of science/engineering with social studies/bus/law
11 Pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacy
167
11 Chemistry 168 Preclinical medicine 10 Mathematics 164
12 Mathematics 164 Combs of social studies/bus/law with arts/humanities
10 Chemistry 161
13 Architecture 153 Building 9 Architecture 148
14 Biology 130 Anatomy, physiology and pathology
8 Biology 116
15 Nursing 109 Medical technology 8 Aerospace engineering 100
Total 6873 409 6464
ü = Scottish Higher held, û = Scottish Higher not held, ü/û Scottish Higher either held or not held.
Appendix�A
12 D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
Appendix�A
Table�10: The number of entries to A-level examinations in physics, mathematics and further mathematics, and the number of accepted applicants to first-degree courses who held physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels in 2010
Subject Male Female Total
Physics Entrants 24,308 6668 30,976
Accepted applicants 22,651 7124 29,775
Mathematics Entrants 45,737 31,264 77,001
Accepted applicants 41,006 29,585 70,591
Further mathematics Entrants 7954 3728 11,682
Accepted applicants 8083 3945 12,028
Source: JCQ and UCAS
Source: JCQ and UCAS
Source: JCQ and UCAS
Table�11: The number of entries to A-level examinations in physics, mathematics and further mathematics, and the number of accepted applicants to first-degree courses who held physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels in 2009
Subject Male Female Total
Physics Entrants 22,898 6538 29,436
Accepted applicants 21,171 6708 27,879
Mathematics Entrants 43,055 29,420 72,475
Accepted applicants 38,216 27,166 65,382
Further mathematics Entrants 7190 3283 10,473
Accepted applicants 7035 3367 10,402
Table�12: The number of entries to A-level examinations in physics, mathematics and further mathematics, and the number of accepted applicants to first-degree courses who held physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels in 2008
Subject Male Female Total
Physics Entrants 21,941 6155 28,096
Accepted applicants 20,040 6112 26,152
Mathematics Entrants 38,719 25,874 64,593
Accepted applicants 34,654 24,275 58,929
Further mathematics Entrants 6325 2766 9091
Accepted applicants 6275 2855 9130
13
Appendix�A
D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
Source: JCQ and UCAS
Source: JCQ and UCAS
Table�13: The number of entries to A-level examinations in physics, mathematics and further mathematics, and the number of accepted applicants to first-degree courses who held physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels in 2007
Subject Male Female Total
Physics Entrants 21,357 6109 27,466
Accepted applicants 19,368 6085 25,453
Mathematics Entrants 36,036 24,057 60,093
Accepted applicants 32,134 22,425 54,559
Further mathematics Entrants 5556 2316 7872
Accepted applicants 5545 2356 7901
Table�14: The number of entries to A-level examinations in physics, mathematics and further mathematics, and the number of accepted applicants to first-degree courses who held physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels in 2006
Subject Male Female Total
Physics Entrants 21,408 5960 27,368
Accepted applicants 19,356 5989 25,345
Mathematics Entrants 34,093 21,889 55,982
Accepted applicants 30,967 20,614 51,581
Further mathematics Entrants 5106 2164 7270
Accepted applicants 5016 2234 7250
Appendix�A
14 D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
3500nu
mbe
r of s
tude
nts
3000
2500
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0physics mathematics chemistrymechanical
engineeringcomputerscience
civilengineering
electronicand
electricalengineering
aerospaceengineering
preclinicalmedicine
generalengineering
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
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mathematics aerospaceengineering
physics computerscience
civilengineering
electronicand
electricalengineering
chemistry generalengineering
preclinicalmedicine
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100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
0mathematics preclinical
medicinecomb. of 3subjects, or
other generalcourses
physics mechanicalengineering
chemistry civilengineering
architecture others insubjects
alliedto medicine
chemical,process and
energyengineering
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Figure�2: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with physics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�3: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants with physics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�4: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants with physics A-level 2006–2011
Source: UCAS
Source: UCAS
Source: UCAS
15
Appendix�A
D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
num
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toxicology and
pharmacy
preclinicalmedicine
molecularbiology,
biophysicsand biochem.
others insubjects allied tomedicine
computerscience
geology designstudies
architecture
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
num
ber o
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s
350
50
150
100
200
250
300
0chemistry biology geologypreclinical
medicinemolecularbiology,
biophysicsand biochem.
computerscience
others insubject allied
to medicine
mechanicalengineering
history byperiod
designstudies
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
num
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250
50
100
150
200
0preclinicalmedicine
others insubjectsallied tomedicine
psychologybiology pharmacol.,toxicology
andpharmacy
chemistry preclinicalveterinarymedicine
molecularbiology,
biophysicsand biochem.
animalscience
zoology
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Figure�5: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with physics but not mathematics or further mathematics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�6: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants with physics but not mathematics or further mathematics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�7: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants with physics but not mathematics or further mathematics A-level 2006–2011
Source: UCAS
Source: UCAS
Source: UCAS
Appendix�A
16 D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
num
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500
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1500
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0mathematics mechanical
engineeringelectronic
andelectrical
engineering
physics civilengineering
generalengineering
economics aerospaceengineering
computerscience
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
comb. of 3subjects, or
other generalcourses
num
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s
1800
1600
400
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600
1400
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0mathematics mechanical
engineeringcombs. of 3subjects, or
other generalcourses
physics electronicand
electricalengineering
generalengineering
computerscience
aerospaceengineering
economics
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
civilengineering
num
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s
600
500
100
300
200
400
0mathematics combs. of 3
subjects, or other general
courses
mechanicalengineering
physics civilengineering
generalengineering
chemistry chemical,process and
energyengineering
combs.within
maths &computer sci.
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
economics
Figure�8: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels 2006–2011
Figure�9: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants with physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels 2006–2011
Figure�10: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants with physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels 2006–2011
Source: UCAS
Source: UCAS
Source: UCAS
17
Appendix�A
D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
num
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0mechanicalengineering
civilengineering
mathematicsphysics preclinicalmedicine
electronicand
electricalengineering
computerscience
chemistry chemical,process and
energyengineering
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
aerospaceengineering
num
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2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0mechanicalengineering
civilengineering
chemistryphysics computerscience
electronicand
electricalengineering
mathematics preclinicalmedicine
chemical,process and
energyengineering
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
aerospaceengineering
num
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s
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0physics mathematics mechanical
engineeringpreclinicalmedicine
architecturechemistry chemical,process and
energyengineering
combs. of 3subjects, or
other generalcourses
aerospaceengineering
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
civilengineering
Figure�11: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with physics and mathematics but not further mathematics A-levels 2006–2011
Figure�12: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants with physics and mathematics but not further mathematics A-levels 2006–2011
Figure�13: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants with physics and mathematics but not further mathematics A-levels 2006–2011
Source: UCAS
Source: UCAS
Source: UCAS
Appendix�A
18 D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
num
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0mathematics preclinical
medicinecombs.within
business &admin. studies
economics chemistrymechanicalengineering
computer science
civilengineering
accounting
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
physics
num
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s
4000
3500
3000
2000
2500
1500
1000
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0mathematics economics preclinical
medicinemechanicalengineering
civilengineering
physics chemistry electronicand
electrical engineering
combs.within
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2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
computer science
num
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3000
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0mathematics psychology others in
subject allied tomedicine
preclinicalmedicine
chemistryeconomics pharmacol.,toxicology
and pharmacy
combs.within
business &admin. studies
accounting
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
law by area
Figure�14: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with mathematics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�15: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants with mathematics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�16: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants with mathematics A-level 2006–2011
Source: UCAS
Source: UCAS
Source: UCAS
19
Appendix�A
D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
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andpharmacy
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
accounting
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withinbusiness &
admin. studies
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andpharmacy
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2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
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mathematics economicspsychology pharmacol.,toxicology
andpharmacy
law byarea
combs.within
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accounting chemistry
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
others insubjects allied tomedicine
Figure�17: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with mathematics but not physics or further mathematics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�18: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants with mathematics but not physics or further mathematics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�19: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants with mathematics but not physics or further mathematics A-level 2006–2011
Source: UCAS
Source: UCAS
Source: UCAS
Appendix�A
20 D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
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sciencephysics general
engineeringmechanicalengineering
civilengineering
combs. of phys./math.science with
social studies/bus./law
electronic and
electricalengineering
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
combs.of 3 subjects
or other general courses
num
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2000
1500
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0mathematics mechanical
engineeringcombs.
of 3 subjectsor other
general courses
physics generalengineering
economics civilengineering
electronicand
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aerospaceengineering
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
computer science
num
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subjects, orother general
courses
chemistryeconomics combs.within
business &admin studies
physics preclinicalmedicine
generalengineering
civilengineering
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
combs. of phys./math.science with
social studies/bus./law
Figure�20: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with further mathematics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�21: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants with further mathematics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�22: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants with further mathematics A-level 2006–2011
Source: UCAS
Source: UCAS
Source: UCAS
21
Appendix�A
D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
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medicinechemistryeconomics law by areacombs.
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andpharmacy
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
accounting
num
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medicinechemistrymathematics accountingcombs.
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2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
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andpharmacy
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business &admin. studies
pharmacol.,toxicology
andpharmacy
psychology others insubjects allied tomedicine
economics law byarea
chemistry
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
accounting
Figure�23: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with mathematics but not physics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�24: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants with mathematics but not physics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�25: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants with mathematics but not physics A-level 2006–2011
Source: UCAS
Source: UCAS
Source: UCAS
Appendix�A
22 D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
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combs. of phys./math.science with
social studies/bus./law
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combs. of 3subjects, or
othergeneral courses
combs. withinmathematical& computer
science
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
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num
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900
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0mathematics preclinical
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phys./math.science with
social studies/bus./law
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science
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
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business &admin. studies
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0mathematics combs. of
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social studies/bus./law
chemistryeconomics preclinicalmedicine
combs. of 3subjects, or
other general courses
accounting
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
law byarea
managementstudies
combs.within
business &admin. studies
Figure�26: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with mathematics and further mathematics but not physics A-levels 2006–2011
Figure�27: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants with mathematics and further mathematics but not physics A-levels 2006–2011
Figure�28: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants with mathematics and further mathematics but not physics A-levels 2006–2011
Source: UCAS
Source: UCAS
Source: UCAS
23
Appendix�A
D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
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100
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0mechanicalengineering
physics law byarea
preclinicalmedicine
civilengineering
chemical,process and
energyengineering
electronicand
electricalengineering
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
accountingcomputerscience
pharmacol.,toxicology
andpharmacy
num
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600
500
400
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0mechanicalengineering
civilengineering
preclinicalmedicine
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accounting
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
law byarea
chemical,process and
energyengineering
chemistry
num
ber o
f stu
dent
s
250
200
100
50
150
0preclinicalmedicine
law byarea
chemical,process and
energyengineering
nursing mathematics psychology
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
anatomy,physiology
andpathology
biology ophthalmicspharmacol.,toxicology
andpharmacy
Figure�29: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with physics Scottish Higher 2006–2011
Figure�30: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants with physics Scottish Higher 2006–2011
Figure�31: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants with physics Scottish Higher 2006–2011
Source: UCAS
Source: UCAS
Source: UCAS
Appendix�A
24 D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
num
ber o
f stu
dent
s
250
200
100
50
150
0preclinicalmedicine
law byarea
biologynursing chemical,process and
energyengineering
psychology
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
ophthalmicsmathematics physicspharmacol.,toxicology
andpharmacy
num
ber o
f stu
dent
s600
500
300
200
100
400
0mechanicalengineering
physics law byarea
civilengineering
chemical,process and
energyengineering
electronicand
electricalengineering
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
accountingcomputerscience
preclinicalmedicine
pharmacol.,toxicology
andpharmacy
num
ber o
f stu
dent
s
500
400
200
100
300
0mechanicalengineering
physics preclinicalmedicine
computerscience
electronicand
electricalengineering
accounting
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
law byarea
chemical,process and
energyengineering
chemistrycivilengineering
Figure�34: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants with physics and mathematics Scottish Highers 2006–2011
Figure�32: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with physics and mathematics Scottish Highers 2006–2011
Figure�33: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants with physics and mathematics Scottish Highers 2006–2011
Source: UCAS
Source: UCAS
Source: UCAS
25
Appendix�A
D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
num
ber o
f stu
dent
s
700
500
600
100
200
300
400
0law byarea
preclinicalmedicine
businessstudies
accounting computerscience
civilengineering
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
pharmacol.,toxicology
and pharmacy
nursing psychologymechanicalengineering
num
ber o
f stu
dent
s
600
500
100
200
300
400
0mechanicalengineering
civilengineering
preclinicalmedicine
physics law byarea
electronicand
electricalengineering
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
chemical,process and
energyengineering
accounting businessstudies
computerscience
Figure�35: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with mathematics Scottish Higher 2006–2011
Figure�36: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants with mathematics Scottish Higher 2006–2011
Source: UCAS
Source: UCAS
num
ber o
f stu
dent
s
700
600
500
100
200
300
400
0law byarea
preclinicalmedicine
businessstudies
accounting computerscience
civilengineering
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
pharmacol.,toxicology
andpharmacy
nursing psychologymechanicalengineering
Figure�37: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants with mathematics Scottish Higher 2006–2011
Source: UCAS
Appendix�A
26 D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
num
ber o
f stu
dent
s
160
140
120
20
40
60
80
100
0law byarea
businessstudies
preclinicalmedicine
accounting combs.within
business &admin studies
sportsscience
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
managementstudies
combs. of sci./eng./eng. with
arts/human./lang.
others insubjectsallied tomedicine
computerscience
num
ber o
f stu
dent
s450
400
350
100
50
150
200
250
300
0law byarea
businessstudies
biologyaccounting psychology designstudies
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
preclinicalmedicine
trainingteachers
computerscience
nursing
num
ber o
f stu
dent
s
400
350
300
50
100
150
200
250
0nursing training
teachersdesignstudies
businessstudies
accounting biology
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
pharmacol.,toxicology
andpharmacy
psychology preclinicalmedicine
law byarea
Figure�39: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants with mathematics but not physics Scottish Higher 2006–2011
Figure�38: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with mathematics but not physics Scottish Higher 2006–2011
Figure�40: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants with mathematics but not physics Scottish Higher 2006–2011
Source: UCAS
Source: UCAS
Source: UCAS
27
Appendix�A
D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
num
ber o
f stu
dent
s
45
35
40
15
20
10
5
30
25
0law byarea
others insubjectsallied tomedicine
electronicand
electricalengineering
biology managementstudies
designstudies
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
nursingbusinessstudies
computerscience
combs. of phys./math.science with
social studies/bus./law
Figure�41: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with physics but not mathematics Scottish Higher 2006–2011
Source: UCAS The number of male and female accepted applicants with physics but not mathematics Higher are too low to present individual data.
Appendix�B: List of tables
28 D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
Appendix�B: List of tables
Table�1: The number of entries to A-level examinations in physics, mathematics and 3 further mathematics, and the number of accepted applicants to first degree courses who held physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels in 2011
Table�2: The 15 most popular course destinations of accepted applicants with combinations 4 of physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels in 2011
Table�3: Comparison between the most popular course destinations of male and female 6 accepted applicants with physics A-level in 2011
Table�4: Comparison between the most popular course destinations of accepted 7 applicants with physics and mathematics but not further mathematics A-levels in 2011
Table�5: Comparison between the most popular course destinations of accepted 8 applicants with physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels in 2011
Table�6: Comparison between the most popular course destinations of accepted 8 applicants with mathematics A-level in 2011
Table�7: Comparison between the most popular course destinations of male and female 9 accepted applicants with physics Scottish Higher in 2011
Table�8: Comparison between the most popular course destinations of male and female 10 accepted applicants with physics and mathematics Scottish Highers in 2011
Table�9: The 15 most popular course destinations of accepted applicants with physics 11 Scottish Higher in combination with mathematics Scottish Higher 2011
Table�10: The number of entries to A-level examinations in physics, mathematics and 12 further mathematics, and the number of accepted applicants to first-degree courses who held physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels in 2010
Table�11: The number of entries to A-level examinations in physics, mathematics and 12 further mathematics, and the number of accepted applicants to first-degree courses who held physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels in 2009
Table�12: The number of entries to A-level examinations in physics, mathematics and 12 further mathematics, and the number of accepted applicants to first-degree courses who held physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels in 2008
Table�13: The number of entries to A-level examinations in physics, mathematics and 13 further mathematics, and the number of accepted applicants to first-degree courses who held physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels in 2007
Table�14: The number of entries to A-level examinations in physics, mathematics and 13 further mathematics, and the number of accepted applicants to first-degree courses who held physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels in 2006
29
Appendix�C: List of figures
D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
Figure�1: The combinations of physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels 5 held by accepted applicants to first-degree courses in 2011
Figure�2: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with 14 physics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�3: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants 14 with physics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�4: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants 14 with physics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�5: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with 15 physics but not mathematics or further mathematics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�6: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants 15 with physics but not mathematics or further mathematics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�7: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants 15 with physics but not mathematics or further mathematics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�8: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with 16 physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels 2006–2011
Figure�9: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants 16 with physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels 2006–2011
Figure�10: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants 16 with physics, mathematics and further mathematics A-levels 2006–2011
Figure�11: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants 17 with physics and mathematics but not further mathematics A-levels 2006–2011
Figure�12: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants 17 with physics and mathematics but not further mathematics A-levels 2006–2011
Figure�13: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants 17 with physics and mathematics but not further mathematics A-levels 2006–2011
Figure�14: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with 18 mathematics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�15: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants 18 with mathematics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�16: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants 18 with mathematics A-level 2006–2011
Appendix�C: List of figures
Appendix�C: List of figures
30 D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
Figure�17: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with 19 mathematics but not physics or further mathematics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�18: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants 19 with mathematics but not physics or further mathematics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�19: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants 19 with mathematics but not physics or further mathematics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�20: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with 20 further mathematics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�21: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants 20 with further mathematics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�22: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants 20 with further mathematics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�23: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with 21 mathematics but not physics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�24: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants 21 with mathematics but not physics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�25: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants 21 with mathematics but not physics A-level 2006–2011
Figure�26: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with 22 mathematics and further mathematics but not physics A-levels 2006–2011
Figure�27: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants 22 with mathematics and further mathematics but not physics A-levels 2006–2011
Figure�28: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants 22 with mathematics and further mathematics but not physics A-levels 2006–2011
Figure�29: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with 23 physics Scottish Higher 2006–2011
Figure�30: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants 23 with physics Scottish Higher 2006–2011
Figure�31: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants 23 with physics Scottish Higher 2006–2011
Figure�32: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with 24 physics and mathematics Scottish Highers 2006–2011
Figure�33: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants 24 with physics and mathematics Scottish Highers 2006–2011
Figure�34: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants 24 with physics and mathematics Scottish Highers 2006–2011
Figure�35: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with 25 mathematics Scottish Higher 2006–2011
Figure�36: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants 25 with mathematics Scottish Higher 2006–2011
Figure�37: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants 25 with mathematics Scottish Higher 2006–2011
Figure�38: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants 26 with mathematics but not physics Scottish Higher 2006–2011
Figure�39: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of male accepted applicants 26 with mathematics but not physics Scottish Higher 2006–2011
Figure�40: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of female accepted applicants 26 with mathematics but not physics Scottish Higher 2006–2011
Figure�41: The 10 most popular first-degree destinations of all accepted applicants with 27 physics but not mathematics Scottish Higher 2006–2011
31
Appendix�C: List of figures
D e g r e e - C o u r s e D e s t i n a t i o n s o f a C C e p t e D a p p l i C a n t s w i t h p h y s i C s a n D M a t h e M a t i C s a - l e v e l o r s C o t t i s h h i g h e r 2 0 0 6 –2 011 M a y 2 01 2
For further information contact:Sophie Robinson
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Statistical Bulletin
Degree-Course Destinations of Accepted Applicants with Physics and Mathematics A-level or Scottish Higher 2006–2011May 2012