Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Business and medicine popular among Asian students

by LAUREN CODLING

THE most popular subjects studied by Asian students in the UK are related to business and medicine, data last week revealed.


New analysis of statistics by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) showed figures relating to the subjects chosen by UK-based students, sorted by their ethnicity.

In the academic year 2017-18, out of 48,550 Asian students, 9,470 studied business and administrative studies; while 8,460 chose subjects allied to medicine, data showed.

Across all levels of qualification, including undergraduates and post graduates, only 20 Asian students studied veterinary sciences (Eastern Eye has previously reported on how few Asian vets there are in the UK).

Agriculture and related subjects were the second least studied by Asian students, with data showing only 85 individuals enrolled in the subjects.

In the academic year 2016-17, data showed similarities – again, the most popular subjects taken by Asians were related to business and medicine.

Lord Karan Bilimoria, an Indian-origin businessman and chair of the Cambridge Judge Business School Advisory Board, believes the choice behind certain degrees can differ between India and the UK.

In India, he said, an individual can be influenced and directed towards degrees such as commerce, engineering and medicine because they are seen as “a pathway”.

“In the UK, however, the attitude is different,” he said. “People are encouraged to study subjects at a degree level that they are passionate about, they enjoy and are interested in.”

His eldest son, for instance, studied theology at Cambridge University. Although he has no intention of pursuing a career as a priest, it was a subject he was passionate about.

“It is a great training of the mind and now my son is doing one year at the business school and will have a joint degree,” he said. “It is a well rounded education and it will be more

effective, having the theology as well as the management related studies.”

The peer, who is the president of the UK Council for International Student Affairs, suggested business studies is most popular with students, as the subject is considered useful.

The University of Birmingham, of which Bilimoria is chancellor, recently opened a campus in Dubai. Among the subjects on offer are business studies and computer studies.

“We know those are the subjects that are more popular from students in that region,” he said.

The table also concluded that out of 345,635 first degrees awarded to UK domiciled students in the most recent academic year, 23 per cent were awarded to black and minority ethnic students, including 11 per cent to Asian ethnicity students; six per cent to black students and five per cent to mixed and other ethnicity students.

These proportions varied across subjects, with 60 per cent of ophthalmic degrees (related to medicine) awarded to Asian ethnicity students, and 23 per cent of social policy degrees

achieved by black students.

Additional data showed other popular subjects taken by Asian students included social studies (4,330); biological sciences (4,185); education (4,165); law (3,095) and engineering and technology (2,940).

The least popular included mass communications and documentation (595); historical and philosophical studies (745); architecture, building and planning (1060) and languages (1,155).

The latest figures – according to a separate study – show that the number of BAME university undergraduates rose from 377,220 in 2014/15 to nearly 437,000 last year.

Bilimoria described the figures as “excellent news” although he was not surprised. The peer, who is also the founding chairman of the UK India Business Council, believed the increasing

numbers were a “manifestation of the wonderful aspirational country that Britain has become”.

“When I came here in the 80s, there was a glass ceiling for people from an ethnic minority background,” he said.

“[But the UK] has evolved, where it is so much more multicultural and has opportunities for all for us.”

More For You

Southport

Floral tributes left by members of the public are seen following the fatal knife attack on three young girls in July in Southport.

Reuters

Public inquiry begins into Southport girls' murders

A PUBLIC inquiry begins on Tuesday into the murders of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport last year.

The inquiry will examine whether the attack could have been prevented and how future incidents might be avoided.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Getty

Starmer is facing a Labour backbench revolt over plans to reform special needs support in schools without guaranteeing existing legal rights. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images)

Starmer faces Labour pushback over SEND reform plans

KEIR STARMER is facing a backlash from Labour MPs over plans to reform special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, after ministers stopped short of guaranteeing legal rights for parents.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government was committed to reforming the current system, which costs £12 billion a year. However, she did not confirm if legally enforceable rights, such as those provided by education, health and care plans (EHCPs), would remain.

Keep ReadingShow less
Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week

iStock

Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London before 30°C heatwave

Key points

  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms drench London at the start of the week
  • Temperatures set to rise with highs of 31°C expected by Thursday
  • Heatwave could be declared by Friday if warm conditions persist
  • Night-time temperatures to remain high, increasing discomfort
  • UV and pollen levels forecast to be very high across the south

Thunderstorms soak London before summer heat returns

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week as heavy rain and overnight thunderstorms swept through the capital. Monday morning saw widespread downpours, leaving commuters reaching for umbrellas and Wimbledon ticket hopefuls queuing in ponchos.

The unsettled conditions followed a burst of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon and continued into the early hours of Monday, prompting caution across the city. The Met Office has not issued a formal weather warning for thunderstorms, but conditions remain unstable.

Keep ReadingShow less
National Trust sets vision to heal
nature and engage more Asians

Lisa Nandy, Steve Reed, René Olivieri and Hilary McGrady at a National Trust event marking its 130th anniversary

National Trust sets vision to heal nature and engage more Asians

THE National Trust, which is seeking to broaden its appeal to British Asians, is marking its 130th anniversary with a renewed commitment to restoring nature and widening access under a 10-year strategy.

Its director-general, Hilary McGrady, also aims to inspire more people to get involved in caring for the country’s natural resources.

Keep ReadingShow less
 7/7 bombings

The King said the public should draw on the 'extraordinary courage and compassion' shown in response to the attacks. (Photo credit: X/@RoyalFamily)

Starmer and King Charles pay tribute on 20th anniversary of 7/7 bombings

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer and King Charles on Monday paid tribute to the unity shown in the aftermath of the 7 July bombings in London, as the country marked 20 years since the attacks.

On 7 July 2005, four Islamist extremists carried out suicide bombings at Aldgate Station, Edgware Road, King's Cross and Tavistock Square. The attacks killed 52 people and injured hundreds more.

Keep ReadingShow less