Questions and answers

Question reference: S4W-00708

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 June 2011
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 23 June 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive how many Scotland-domiciled entrants there have been to modern languages courses at each Scottish university in each year since 2007, broken down by course.

The information requested is contained in the following tables.

Table 1: Scottish-Domiciled Entrants Studying for a Qualification in a Modern Language at the Scottish Higher Education Institutions, 2007-08 (1,2)

Table 1

2007-08

Institution / Subject	Research Post- Graduate	Taught Post- Graduate	First Degree	Other Under-Graduate	Total
Aberdeen, University of
European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	-	-	-
French studies	-	-	30	-	35
German studies	-	-	15	-	15
Spanish studies	-	-	25	-	25
Scandinavian studies	-	-	-	-	-
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	5	-	5
American studies	-	-	-	-	-
Total	5	-	75	-	80
Dundee, University of	-	-	-	-	-
French studies	-	-	15	-	15
German studies	-	-	5	-	5
Spanish studies	-	-	5	15	20
European Studies	-	-	-	-	-
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	10	90	100
American studies	-	-	15	-	15
Total	-	-	45	110	155
Edinburgh Napier University
French studies	-	-	25	-	25
German studies	-	-	25	-	25
Italian studies	-	-	-	-	-
Spanish studies	-	-	-	-	-
Total	-	-	50	-	50
Edinburgh, University of
French studies	-	5	40	-	45
German studies	-	5	10	-	15
Italian studies	-	-	5	-	5
Spanish studies	-	-	15	-	15
Portuguese studies	-	-	-	-	-
Scandinavian studies	-	-	5	-	5
Russian and East European studies	-	-	5	-	5
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	5	40	-	45
Chinese studies	-	5	5	-	5
Japanese studies	-	-	15	-	15
South Asian studies	-	-	-	-	-
Other Asian studies	-	-	-	-	-
African studies	-	-	-	-	5
Modern Middle Eastern studies	-	-	5	-	10
American studies	-	-	-	-	-
Total	10	25	140	-	170
Glasgow, University of
European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	10	-	10
French studies	-	-	95	-	95
German studies	-	-	25	-	25
Italian studies	-	-	15	-	15
Spanish studies	-	-	35	-	35
Portuguese studies	-	-	5	-	5
Russian and East European studies	-	20	10	-	30
European Studies	-	-	-	-	-
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	30	3,465	3,495
American studies	-	-	-	-	-
Total	5	20	225	3,465	3,715
Heriot-Watt University
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	65	-	65
Open University in Scotland
French studies	-	-	-	40	40
German studies	-	-	-	35	35
Spanish studies	-	-	-	40	40
European Studies	-	-	10	-	10
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	50	-	50
Total	-	-	55	120	175
St Andrews, University of
French studies	-	-	25	-	25
German studies	-	-	5	-	5
Italian studies	-	-	-	-	-
Spanish studies	-	-	10	-	15
Russian and East European studies	-	-	-	-	-
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	10	220	230
Modern Middle Eastern studies	-	-	5	-	5
Total	-	5	55	220	280
Stirling, University of
French studies	-	-	30	-	30
German studies	-	-	-	-	-
Spanish studies	-	-	25	-	25
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	-	-	-
Total	-	-	55	-	55
Strathclyde, University of
French studies	-	-	50	10	60
German studies	-	-	5	-	5
Italian studies	-	-	5	-	10
Spanish studies	-	-	30	20	55
Russian and East European studies	-	-	-	-	-
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	15	-	15
Total	5	-	110	25	140
West of Scotland, University of the
French studies	-	-	15	-	15
German studies	-	-	15	-	15
Spanish studies	-	-	-	-	-
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	-	-	-
Total	-	-	30	-	30
Total
European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	10	-	10
French studies	5	5	325	50	385
German studies	-	5	105	35	145
Italian studies	-	-	30	-	30
Spanish studies	5	-	145	75	230
Portuguese studies	-	-	5	-	5
Scandinavian studies	5	-	5	-	5
Russian and East European studies	-	20	15	-	35
European Studies	-	-	10	-	10
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	5	225	3,780	4,010
Chinese studies	-	5	5	-	5
Japanese studies	-	-	15	-	15
South Asian studies	-	-	-	-	-
Other Asian studies	-	-	-	-	-
African studies	-	-	-	-	5
Modern Middle Eastern studies	-	-	10	-	15
American studies	-	-	15	-	15
Total	20	45	915	3,940	4,920

Source: Scottish Funding Council (SFC).

Notes:

1. For this table, modern languages excludes the following subject areas: English studies, ancient language studies, Celtic studies, Latin studies, Classical Greek studies, Classical studies and others subject areas covered by linguistics, classics and related subjects.

2. Students might be studying for a qualification in a modern language in combination with other subject(s). Each student is counted against the modern language(s) that he or she is studying for a qualification in.

If a student is studying for a qualification in more than one modern language then he or she is counted as a proportion, dependent on the number of modern language subjects involved and the type of combination of subjects, against each of the modern languages involved so that the student counts for a total of 1.

Figures are derived from individual student returns collected by the Higher Education Statistics agency (HESA). The Scottish Funding Council uses a different standard population to that used by HESA and these figures might differ from any published by HESA.

Figures in this table have been rounded to the nearest five. Values of zero, one and two have been suppressed “-“.

Table 2: Scottish-Domiciled Entrants Studying for a Qualification in a Modern Language at the Scottish Higher Education Institutions, 2008-09 (1,2)

Table 2

2008-09

Institution / Subject	Research Post- Graduate	Taught Post- Graduate	First Degree	Other Under-Graduate	Total
Aberdeen, University of
European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	-	-	-
French studies	-	-	45	-	45
German studies	-	-	10	-	10
Spanish studies	-	-	30	-	30
Scandinavian studies	-	-	-	-	-
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	10	-	10
American studies	-	-	-	-	-
Total	-	-	90	-	95
Dundee, University of
French studies	-	-	15	-	15
German studies	-	-	5	-	5
Spanish studies	-	-	5	10	15
European Studies	-	-	-	-	-
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	10	70	80
American studies	-	-	15	-	15
Total	-	-	50	80	130
Edinburgh Napier University
French studies	-	-	50	-	50
German studies	-	-	-	-	-
Italian studies	-	-	-	-	-
Spanish studies	-	-	-	-	-
Total	-	-	55	-	55
Edinburgh, University of
French studies	-	5	25	-	30
German studies	-	5	10	-	15
Italian studies	-	-	-	-	5
Spanish studies	-	-	20	-	25
Portuguese studies	-	-	-	-	-
Scandinavian studies	-	-	5	-	5
Russian and East European studies	5	-	5	-	5
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	5	30	-	35
Chinese studies	-	5	5	-	10
Japanese studies	-	-	5	-	5
South Asian studies	-	-	-	-	-
Other Asian studies	-	-	-	-	-
African studies	-	5	-	-	5
Modern Middle Eastern studies	-	-	5	-	10
American studies	-	-	-	-	-
Total	10	30	110	-	145
Glasgow, University of
European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	-	-	-
French studies	-	-	105	-	105
German studies	-	-	25	-	25
Italian studies	-	-	15	-	15
Spanish studies	-	-	35	-	35
Portuguese studies	-	-	-	-	-
Russian and East European studies	5	20	15	-	35
European Studies	-	-	-	-	-
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	35	3,550	3,585
American studies	-	-	-	-	-
Total	5	20	230	3,550	3,805
Heriot-Watt University
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	55	-	60
Open University in Scotland
French studies	-	-	-	50	50
German studies	-	-	-	20	20
Spanish studies	-	-	-	40	40
European Studies	-	-	15	-	15
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	50	-	50
Total	-	-	65	110	175
St Andrews, University of
French studies	-	-	35	-	35
German studies	-	-	15	-	15
Italian studies	-	-	5	-	5
Spanish studies	-	-	15	-	15
Russian and East European studies	-	-	5	-	5
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	10	200	205
Modern Middle Eastern studies	-	-	-	-	-
Total	-	-	80	200	285
Stirling, University of
French studies	-	-	35	-	35
German studies	-	-	-	-	-
Spanish studies	-	-	25	10	35
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	-	-	-
Total	-	-	60	10	70
Strathclyde, University of
French studies	-	-	50	5	55
German studies	-	-	10	-	10
Italian studies	-	-	10	-	10
Spanish studies	-	-	30	20	50
Russian and East European studies	-	-	-	-	-
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	20	-	20
Total	-	-	115	25	140
West of Scotland, University of the
French studies	-	-	15	-	15
German studies	-	-	10	-	10
Spanish studies
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	-	-	-
Total	-	-	25	-	25
Total	-	-	-	-	-
European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	-	-	-
French studies	5	5	365	50	430
German studies	-	5	75	20	105
Italian studies	-	-	35	-	35
Spanish studies	5	-	170	80	255
Portuguese studies	-	-	-	-	-
Scandinavian studies	-	-	5	-	5
Russian and East European studies	5	20	20	-	45
European Studies	-	-	15	-	15
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	5	220	3,820	4,050
Chinese studies	-	5	5	-	10
Japanese studies	-	-	5	-	5
South Asian studies	-	-	-	-	-
Other Asian studies	-	-	-	-	-
African studies	-	5	-	-	5
Modern Middle Eastern studies	-	5	5	-	10
American studies	-	-	15	-	20
Total	20	50	940	3,975	4,980

Source: Scottish Funding Council (SFC).

Notes:

1. For this table, modern languages excludes the following subject areas: English studies, ancient language studies, Celtic studies, Latin studies, Classical Greek studies, Classical studies and others subject areas covered by linguistics, classics and related subjects.

2. Students might be studying for a qualification in a modern language in combination with other subject(s). Each student is counted against the modern language(s) that he or she is studying for a qualification in.

If a student is studying for a qualification in more than one modern language then he or she is counted as a proportion, dependent on the number of modern language subjects involved and the type of combination of subjects, against each of the modern languages involved so that the student counts for a total of 1.

Figures are derived from individual student returns collected by the Higher Education Statistics agency (HESA). The Scottish Funding Council uses a different standard population to that used by HESA and these figures might differ from any published by HESA.

Figures in this table have been rounded to the nearest five. Values of zero, one and two have been suppressed “-“.

Table 3: Scottish-domiciled entrants studying for a qualification in a modern language at the Scottish higher education institutions, 2009-10 (1,2)

Table 3

2009-10

Institution / Subject	Research Post- Graduate	Taught Post- Graduate	First Degree	Other Under-Graduate	Total
Aberdeen, University of
European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	-	-	-
French studies	-	-	30	-	35
German studies	-	-	10	-	10
Spanish studies	-	-	15	-	15
Scandinavian studies	-	-	-	-	-
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	-	-	-
American studies	-	5	-	-	5
Total	-	5	55	-	60
Dundee, University of
French studies	-	-	10	-	10
German studies	-	-	5	-	5
Spanish studies	-	-	5	10	15
European Studies	-	-	-	-	-
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	5	70	80
American studies	-	-	20	-	20
Total	-	-	50	80	130
Edinburgh Napier University
French studies	-	-	35	-	35
German studies	-	-	-	-	-
Italian studies	-	-	-	-	-
Spanish studies	-	-	-	-	-
Total	-	-	35	-	35
Edinburgh, University of
French studies	-	5	35	-	45
German studies	-	-	10	-	15
Italian studies	-	-	10	-	10
Spanish studies	-	-	30	-	30
Portuguese studies	-	-	-	-	-
Scandinavian studies	-	-	5	-	5
Russian and East European studies	5	-	5	-	5
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	5	35	-	40
Chinese studies	-	5	5	-	10
Japanese studies	-	-	15	-	15
South Asian studies	-	-	-	-	-
Other Asian studies	-	-	-	-	-
African studies	-	5	-	-	5
Modern Middle Eastern studies	-	5	5	-	10
American studies	-	-	-	-	-
Total	10	25	155	-	185
Glasgow, University of
European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	5	-	5
French studies	-	-	115	-	115
German studies	-	-	20	-	25
Italian studies	-	-	10	-	10
Spanish studies	-	-	45	-	45
Portuguese studies	-	-	5	-	5
Russian and East European studies	5	5	15	5	30
European Studies	-	-	-	-	-
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	30	3,960	3,985
American studies	-	5	-	-	5
Total	10	10	245	3,960	4,225
Heriot-Watt University
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	60	-	60
Open University in Scotland
French studies	-	-	-	40	40
German studies	-	-	-	25	25
Spanish studies	-	-	-	50	50
European Studies	-	-	10	-	10
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	85	-	85
Total	-	-	90	115	205
St Andrews, University of
French studies	-	-	10	-	10
German studies	-	-	5	-	5
Italian studies	-	-	-	-	-
Spanish studies	-	-	10	-	10
Russian and East European studies	-	-	5	-	5
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	5	210	220
Modern Middle Eastern studies	-	-	-	-	-
Total	-	-	35	210	250
Stirling, University of
French studies	-	-	40	-	40
German studies	-	-	-	-	-
Spanish studies	-	-	40	-	40
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	-	-	-
Total	-	-	80	-	80
Strathclyde, University of
French studies	-	-	40	-	40
German studies	-	-	5	-	5
Italian studies	-	-	10	-	10
Spanish studies	-	-	35	15	50
Russian and East European studies	-	-	-	-	-
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	-	-	-
Total	-	-	90	15	105
West of Scotland, University of the
French studies	-	-	15	-	15
German studies	-	-	15	-	15
Spanish studies	-	-	-	-	-
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	-	-	-
Total	-	-	30	-	30
Total
European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	-	5	-	5
French studies	-	5	335	40	385
German studies	5	-	75	25	105
Italian studies	-	-	30	-	30
Spanish studies	5	-	175	70	250
Portuguese studies	-	-	5	-	5
Scandinavian studies	-	-	5	-	5
Russian and East European studies	5	5	20	5	40
European Studies	-	-	10	-	10
Others in European Languages, Literature and related subjects	-	5	225	4,240	4,470
Chinese studies	-	5	5	-	10
Japanese studies	-	-	15	-	15
South Asian studies	-	-	-	-	-
Other Asian studies	-	-	-	-	-
African studies	-	5	-	-	5
Modern Middle Eastern studies	-	5	5	-	10
American studies	-	5	20	-	25
Total	20	40	925	4,380	5,365

Source: Scottish Funding Council (SFC).

Notes:

1. For this table, modern languages excludes the following subject areas: English studies, ancient language studies, Celtic studies, Latin studies, Classical Greek studies, Classical studies and others subject areas covered by linguistics, classics and related subjects.

2. Students might be studying for a qualification in a modern language in combination with other subject(s). Each student is counted against the modern language(s) that he or she is studying for a qualification in.

If a student is studying for a qualification in more than one modern language then he or she is counted as a proportion, dependent on the number of modern language subjects involved and the type of combination of subjects, against each of the modern languages involved so that the student counts for a total of 1.

Figures are derived from individual student returns collected by the Higher Education Statistics agency (HESA). The Scottish Funding Council uses a different standard population to that used by HESA and these figures might differ from any published by HESA.

Figures in this table have been rounded to the nearest five. Values of zero, one and two have been suppressed “-“.

Question reference: S4W-00706

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 June 2011
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 23 June 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been allocated for the teaching of modern languages at higher education institutions in each year since 2007, broken down by funding stream.

Question reference: S4W-00699

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 June 2011
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 23 June 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive whether statutory widening access targets for universities will apply to the sector as a whole or individual institutions.

Question reference: S4W-00691

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 June 2011
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 23 June 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on whether university tuition fees in England will rise with inflation and what impact such rises will have on the net funding gap between English and Scottish institutions.

Question reference: S4W-00694

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 June 2011
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 23 June 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive how many Scottish students dropped out of Scottish universities in each of the last four years, broken down by year of degree.

The information requested is not held centrally. The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) publishes non-continuation rates for higher education institutions in the UK as part of their performance indicators. These performance indicators examine non-continuation after the first year of degree courses for all entrants to Scottish institutions. The HESA performance indicators can be found at:

http://www.hesa.ac.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2064&Itemid=141.

Question reference: S4W-00700

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 June 2011
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 23 June 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its discussion paper for reforms to the college sector and what issues will be included.

As outlined in the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning’s statement to the Parliament on 16 June 2011 and in my own speech to the colleges at their annual conference on the same date, a wider package of reforms on post-16 education will be set out later this year.

The issues for inclusion are currently being developed, but will be framed around the key criterion of improving outcomes for learning, and will take into account commitments and the resources available in the context of cabinet decisions about the Spending Review.

Question reference: S4W-00705

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 June 2011
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 23 June 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what modern languages will be offered in schools under its proposals to introduce a scheme for modern language learning based on the EU 2+1 model.

We will work with local authorities, schools, parents and learners, to develop a new languages model that will increase the opportunities for young people to benefit from learning two additional languages and to develop the confidence and skills that they need to be successful in an increasingly globalised world. This model will have flexibility to enable local authorities and schools to agree the nature and content of language provision for the children and young people in their area, but it is envisaged that languages available would include both European and Asian languages.

Question reference: S4W-00693

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 June 2011
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 23 June 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it expects the number of fees only places in Scottish universities provided in 2011-12 to be replicated every year until the end of the current parliamentary session.

Question reference: S4W-00702

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 June 2011
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 23 June 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish a map of course provision for the (a) further and (b) higher education sector.

Question reference: S4W-00710

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 June 2011
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 23 June 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive how many and which higher education institutions offer combined honours courses in modern languages and education.

Chamber and committees