Male graduates earned more than female graduates in the five years after leaving Scottish universities, according to official figures.

Statistics published by the Scottish Government show men who graduated from universities in Scotland in 2010-11 had median earnings of £29,100 in 2016-17 - above the £26,000 median earnings of women - five full tax years following their graduation.

Analysis also suggests that in 27 of 34 subjects, men had higher median earnings than women over the period, with the largest gap in physics and astronomy, where male graduates had median total earnings of £30,100 compared to £24,700 for female graduates.

The statistics also highlighted that graduates from the 20% least deprived areas in Scotland earned £3,700 more than graduates from the 20% most deprived areas five years after graduating.

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Graduates from the least deprived areas had median earnings of £28,300, while graduates from the most deprived areas had median earnings of £24,600.

Scottish university graduates with a disability were also found to have earned less than graduates with no known disability.

Disabled graduates had median earnings of £25,000 in 2016-2017, a total of £2,300 lower than that for graduates with no known disability at £27,300.

In Scotland, graduates had median earnings of £27,100 - higher than that of graduates from the rest of the UK at £26,000.

Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead said the greater earnings of Scottish graduates compared to UK students emphasised the high standards of the country's universities.

"We already know Scotland's higher education sector is world-class and this demonstrates universities are preparing their students well for their chosen careers and that students are highly valued by employers," he said.

"Of course, earnings are just one part of the picture.

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"Our commitment to free university education means the average graduate debt in Scotland is the lowest in the UK, giving them a much easier start in their careers and lives."

He added: "We want many more people to benefit from an equal chance of success and the number of Scots from the most deprived areas at university is now at a record high, while the proportion of disabled students and black and minority ethnic students is also increasing.

"As these statistics show, inequalities do not end on entry to university and it is vital that institutions and employers continue to support these learners through to graduation and beyond."