A government body has apologised after it emerged the personal details of 1,400 Scottish students had been lost in the post.
The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) is investigating after eight boxes containing copies of surveys completed by students from seven colleges went missing.
The documents include the students' names, addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers, gender and ethnic background.
The SFC, which commissioned the study, said the surveys were despatched by a Glasgow-based market research company to a consulting firm in Edinburgh in December. Of the eight boxes sent, only three arrived.
The institutions involved were Aberdeen College, Adam Smith College in Fife, Anniesland College in Glasgow, Barony College in Dumfries, North Highland College and Telford College in Edinburgh.
A total of 2,200 students took part in the survey, but only 700 forms were received.
Of the remaining 1,500 which have been lost, 1,400 contained the personal information of students.
The SFC distributes money to Scotland's universities and colleges for teaching and learning, research and other activities.
Its chief executive Roger McClure said: "I very much regret that this has taken place and offer my personal apologies to the students concerned. We are now taking extra steps to prevent such a loss recurring."
