EngineeringUK report reveals efforts needed to address gender gap

With the current conversion rate from A Level to undergraduate study, around 150,000 girls would need to study A levels in maths or physics (or both), a significant increase compared to current numbers.

The report, which follows International Day of Women and Girls in Science, reveals that 23 per cent of male students who studied A levels in maths or physics, or both, went on to study engineering and technology in higher education. However, just eight per cent of female students who took the same subjects went on to study engineering and technology degrees.

This translates to a stark gender divide, with only 18 per cent of those studying undergraduate degrees in engineering and technology being female, compared to 57 per cent for all degree subjects combined.

Dr Claudia Mollidor, head of research and evaluation at EngineeringUK, said that the gender disparity is ‘really concerning’.

“Given that A levels in maths and physics are often a prerequisite for such degrees, we need to do more to make sure these subjects are attractive and accessible to girls at school,” Mollidor said.