Further fall in science A-levels
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Your support makes all the difference.THE PROPORTION of A-level candidates choosing science subjects is continuing to decline despite this year's record number of passes across the board, writes Diana Hinds.
The figures reveal a 9.6 per cent drop in those taking physics, following a fall of 4.9 per cent last year, and drops in chemistry (4.5) and biology (2.9). That decline is reflected in economics, down by 10 per cent. Mathematics also seems to have fallen, but final figures are not ready.
Overall, the proportion gaining A-E grades has improved by 1.1 percentage points, taking the pass rate to 80.9 per cent; the proportion with grades A-C has improved by 1.6 points, to 48.1 per cent.
The results confirm that there will be extreme pressure on university places in the arts and social sciences. John Akker, deputy general secretary of the Association of University Teachers, said: 'It is a matter of great concern that universities are unable to take all the students they would have taken last year.'
Lorna Fitzsimons, National Union of Students' president, said: 'Thousands of students are going to be very disappointed today, despite brilliant results.'
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