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The data, published last month in Research Council Impact Reports 2013, do not include studentships awarded by the Medical Research Council.

Some 4,513 students started PhDs in 2012-13, down from 5,723 in 2009-10. The drop in new Engineering and Physical Research Council PhDs plays a ¡°large role¡± in the overall reduction, says the document published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

The fall in EPSRC and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council PhDs has been driven ¡°in minor part by an increased prioritisation and focus on the best students through Centres for Doctoral Training¡±, the report states.

The number of new PhD studentships funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and the Economic and Social Research Council has risen slightly since 2009-10.

holly.else@tsleducation.com