STUDENT AWARDS 1996-97

There were 110,506 awards granted in 1996-97, an increase of 3,133 (3 per cent) on 1995-96 and an overall increase of 23 per cent since 1992-93.

In 1996-97, 70 per cent of all awards were made to students at Scottish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The proportion of awards going to students at Scottish Further Education Colleges has steadily increased from 15 per cent in 1992-93 to 24 per cent in 1996-97.

Some 67 per cent of awards were made at first degree level in 1996-97, a decrease of 5 percentage points from 1992-93.

For the second year running, more females than males received awards. In 1996-97, just over half of all award holders, 52 per cent, were female.

The proportion of awards made to first year undergraduate students aged under 21 rose slightly in 1996-97, to 69 per cent, an increase of 1,748 compared with small rises in numbers of awards in the 21 to 24, and 25 and over categories of 55, and 35 respectively.

Over the period to 1996-97, the proportion of students receiving a ‘part maintenance’ award declined from 34 per cent to 28 per cent. The proportion of students receiving a ‘fees only’ award has risen from 26 per cent in 1995-96 to 29 per cent in 1996-97. This is a 14 per cent increase in numbers of ‘fees only’ awards. The proportion of students receiving ‘maximum’ awards rose from 41 per cent in 1992-93 to 44 per cent in 1995-96, but dropped slightly in 1996-97 to 43 per cent.

The average maintenance award made to students at first degree level fell by almost 12 per cent between 1995-96 and 1996-97. During the same period, it fell by over 12 per cent at sub-degree level, but rose by 4 per cent at postgraduate level.