A level results show continued STEM growth, but gender gap remains
A level results published today point to continued strong interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, with more than one million results awarded across A levels, AS Levels and T Levels.
The number of A level entries rose slightly this year, reflecting growth in the UK's 18-year-old population, while mathematics retained its position as the most popular subject, with more than 115,000 entries.
Biology and chemistry remained in third and fourth place respectively, with entries increasing by 3.5% and 3.2%. Girls' participation in core STEM subjects also rose by 3.7%, with young women accounting for 42.9% of core STEM A level entries.
A level results show continued STEM growth, but gender gap remains
However, the results also underline continuing disparities in some areas of STEM education and the subsequent workforce.
Figures from UCAS show engineering and technology had the largest growth in university acceptances, with 34,100 applicants placed, a 14% increase on the previous year. Only around one in five of those students are female.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and WISE, Women into Science and Engineering, said the figures highlighted the need to strengthen the UK's future STEM talent pipeline, particularly by improving participation among young women.
The UK continues to face skills shortages across STEM industries, with engineering vacancies accounting for around a quarter of all job adverts and an estimated 173,000-worker shortfall across the wider STEM workforce.
One area showing particularly rapid change was digital technology. Girls' participation increased by 18.8% compared with 2025, with young women accounting for 30.3% of the cohort, up from 27.7% last year.
Dr Laura Norton, head of equity, diversity and inclusion and WISE director at the IET, said: "The subject choices young people make now will shape the future STEM workforce that the UK depends on to deliver innovation, economic growth and solutions to some of society's biggest challenges.
"While it's encouraging to see continued interest in STEM subjects and positive progress in the number of young women entering STEM pathways, we know there is still a significant skills challenge ahead."
She said engineering and technology sectors needed to draw on a larger and more diverse talent pool to meet future workforce demand.
"Women make up more than half of the UK population, yet remain significantly underrepresented in STEM careers," Norton added. "If we're serious about closing skills gaps, we must ensure more young women see STEM as a pathway where they can belong, succeed and lead."
Visible role models would remain important in encouraging wider participation, she said, alongside efforts to create more inclusive routes into STEM education and careers.
The IET and WISE said the results offered encouraging signs for the future pipeline, while also demonstrating that significant work remained to ensure the growing demand for STEM skills could be met. Pic: Akshay Chauhan
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