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In 2011-12, before ?9,000 fees were introduced, 35 per cent of the ?28?billion the universities received came through tuition charges, up from ?per cent in 2007-08. Just 30 per cent came from funding body grants, down from 36?per cent four years before.

The data come from a?summary of statistics published by Hesa on 19?September.

The figures also show that of the 2.5?million students in the UK in 2011-12, 56 per cent were female.

Half of all qualifications awarded that year were first degrees, with 42?per cent of all students studying science.

The data also suggest that three-quarters of graduates were employed six months after leaving university and 21?per cent were in further study. Seven per cent were doing both.

Source: Higher Education Statistics for the UK 2011/12, Hesa. Percentages are rounded and may not add up to 100%

elizabeth.gibney@tsleducation.com