Fewer enrol in higher degrees

The number of students enrolled for doctoral degrees has dropped by nearly 11% in two years since grants were withdrawn for postgraduate studies.

Between 2012 and 2014, the numbers enrolled for PhDs fell from 8,826 to 7,898, according to the Higher Education Authority (HEA).

The fall followed slight increases in the years before 2012, when the Department of Education ended maintenance grants for all new postgraduates, including PhDs and masters degree students.