This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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More science students at Scottish universities
09/02/2007
The number of Scottish students studying science degrees at Scottish universities has risen substantially over the last decade, a report published today reveals.
It shows a 22 per cent increase since 1996-97 and flags up a positive outlook for Scotland's science sector in the future.
Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen said:
"I see Scotland's future as a science nation. To fully achieve that, we need lots of talented people leading the sector with bright ideas and innovative working.
"The overall growth in the number of Scottish entrants to science courses in Scotland, shown by today's report, is very significant. It is good news for Scotland's prospects of maintaining a place at the forefront of global scientific discovery, growing our economy and raising quality of life.
"The demand for scientists in the future looks equally positive, with total employment in science occupations projected to grow faster than for non-science occupations."
Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland Professor Anne Glover added:
"Science graduates feed into the labour market in a number of important ways. For example, they may be professsionals in the health service, they may work in Research and Development intensive businesses, or as researchers and teachers in our institutions.
"It is essential that we encourage young people to participate in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in order to build a society which is receptive and responsive to science.
"I hope this report provides a useful source of data on science students and their prospects in the economy."
The Executive plans to undertake more detailed work on the needs of particular employer groups for scientists in partnership with the Sector Skills Councils.
The Report on the Supply of and Demand for Scientists in Scotland has been compiled by the Scottish Executive, the Scottish Funding Council and FutureSkills Scotland in order to help meet a commitment in the Scottish Executive's science strategy to examine the supply of scientists into the Scottish economy.
The report indicates that there has been a trend towards students taking more "applied" science courses such as Forensic Science. While undergraduate numbers in some of the "pure" sciences, such as Physics and Chemistry, have decreased, there have been large increases in those studying Other Physical Sciences, Maths, Computer Science and Biological Sciences.