UCU responds to Universities UK strategic subjects report

Universities UK's seventh 'Patterns of higher education institutions' in the UK released today reveals that strategic subjects have higher enrolment levels from non-UK students than other subjects.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'Recent UCU research revealed worrying gaps in the country that offered very little science degrees following years of departmental closures. The rising cost of university is leading to more students choosing to study closer to home, which in turn leaves us with the worrying position where some students, and potential students, are forced to choose their degree subject on what is available, not necessarily their field of expertise.

'The demand for the UK's strategic subjects from foreign students is encouraging and a testament to the quality of the teaching in this country and the reputation for excellence we have abroad. UCU agrees that more must be done to encourage school pupils to pursue the strategic subjects, but equally we must ensure those pupils are given every chance to continue these subjects in our universities.'