• Swindon & Wiltshire Tech
• Friday August 16 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Number of women taking computer science degrees continues to grow

The number of women opting to study computing at degree level this September has increased according to analysis by Swindon-headquartered BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.

Computing at higher education is increasingly seen as a good choice by students – particularly by women – according to data from university admissions service, UCAS.

This year, 2,940 UK-domiciled 18-year-old women have accepted a place to study the subject, up eight per cent from 2023/24.

The male to female ratio in this area is also continuing to close slowly – with an ongoing trend towards increased participation by female students (below 4:1).

However, the difference remains wide and there is still a long way to go in terms of closing the gender gap – according to according to BCS analysis.

Overall entries at A level are up 12 per cent with 29 per cent growth in the number of females in England taking computer science at A level and a nine per cent increase in the number of males studying the subject.

The gender ratio continues to move in right direction – now below 5:1 – in this area too – BCS added.

Meanwhile, females are outperforming males at all grades for A levels.

Julia Adamson MBE, managing director for education and public benefit at BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT said: “The overall number of students as well as the increase in the number of women opting to study computer science at degree level is great news.

“More young people are recognising that this qualification can lead to a range of exciting careers – roles that can potentially help tackle some of the hugely important issues that impact our society such as AI, climate change and cyber security.

“It’s fantastic that the overall numbers of people taking computer science is increasing, but there remains a huge demand for more skilled people to meet the needs of our digital future.

“The growth in the numbers and the diversity of qualified technologists needs to continue to accelerate – not only to help close the gender gap, but also to meet future needs of the UK economy.

“At schools and colleges, we are seeing a more diverse range of pathways in computing and digital skills appearing.

“These will contribute to steps being taken to ensure an increasing number of diverse entrants to the computing professions, and help to draw more people towards digitally focused study in both higher education and progression to the workforce.”