Scottish physics Higher entrants remain stable

The take up of physics at Scottish schools remains stable today, Thursday, 5 August, with no flux in the number of students taking the physics Higher.

A stabilisation in the number of students taking physics is an important step as reports show that more than £8 billion of Scottish economic output comes from physics-based sectors of industry.

Alison McLure, national officer for the Institute of Physics (IOP) in Scotland, said: “Congratulations to all the students receiving their higher Physics results today. 
Physics-based industries in Scotland contribute ten per cent to the nation’s economic output so it’s encouraging to see a steady number of Scottish students taking physics Higher.

“The 9,000 or so students receiving their physics results today can be positive that a decent grounding in physics is going to stand them in very good stead, whatever it is they decide to do in the future.”

After a steady decline in the number of physics students since the beginning of the century, the trend changed in 2008 with 8,700 students- 200 more than the previous year – taking the physics Higher. This development continued in 2009, which saw over 9,000 entries. The results issued today by the Scottish Qualifications Authority show that again, around 9,000 students have sat their physics Higher in 2010.

This year’s physics Advanced Higher results are also cause for celebration. The number of entries has increased by over 180, making physics the third most popular subject at Advanced Higher level behind English and maths.