Higher Education - Students

The higher education provides a chance to study subject of interest and can boost career prospects. For clarity on data collection, please navigate to HESA Website.

The dashboard presents number of students in higher education by their course details, demographics and subjects of study.

An understanding of HE enrolments by subject area and level of study across local HE providers can be used to forward project the subject areas that a local area will have a specific strength in with regards to volume of people and any areas that may be under represented. This can be helpful for future workforce or study planning.

  • Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency
  • Timeline: 2021/22
  • Last Updated: 5 January'24
  • Note: This data is updated in line with Higher Education Statistics Agency release dates.
  • Upcoming release date: November'24
  • Postgraduate (research): Includes doctorate (incorporating New Route PhD), masters degrees and postgraduate diplomas or certificates (not PGCE) studied primarily through research.
  • Postgraduate (taught): Includes doctorate, and masters degrees, postgraduate bachelors degrees at level M and postgraduate diplomas or certificates not studied primarily through research, including Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at level M (unless shown separately), Masters in Teaching and Learning, level M Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector, and professional qualifications.
  • Other undergraduate: Includes qualification aims equivalent to and below first degree level, including, but not limited to, PGCE at level H, foundation degrees, diplomas in higher education, Higher National Diploma (HND), Higher National Certificate (HNC), Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE), Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE), foundation courses at higher education level, National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)/Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) at NQF levels 4 and 5, post-degree diplomas and certificates at undergraduate level, professional qualifications at undergraduate level, other undergraduate diplomas and certificates including pre- and post-registration health and social care and veterinary courses, other formal higher education qualifications of less than degree standard, provider undergraduate credit and non-formal undergraduate qualifications.
  • First degree: Includes all first degrees at level H, ordinary (non-honours) first degrees, first degrees with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)/registration with a General Teaching Council (GTC), postgraduate bachelors degree at level H, integrated and enhanced first degrees, first degrees obtained concurrently with a diploma and intercalated first degrees.
  • Science subjects: Includes 1) Medicine and dentistry, 2) subjects allied to medicine, 3) biological and sport sciences, 4) psychology, 5) veterinary sciences, 6) agriculture, food and related studies, 7) physical sciences, 8) mathematical sciences, 9) engineering and technology, 10) computing, 11) architecture, building and planning and 12) geography, earth and environmental studies except non-specific geography.
  • Non-science subjects: Includes 1) social sciences, 2) law, 3) business and management, 4) language and area studies, 5) historical, philosophical and religious studies, 6) education and teaching, 7) combined and general studies, 8) media, journalism and communications, 9) design, creative and performing arts and 10) non-specific geography.