A level uptake in STEM grows, but calls for greater gender equity

Today’s A level results reveal a promising surge in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subject popularity among students, with a rise in female participation – signalling progress towards a more inclusive future for science and engineering. 

However with traditional gender gaps persisting in subjects like Maths, Physics and Computing, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) with WISE (Women into Science and Engineering) is raising concerns.

They’re calling for greater visibility of vocational pathways, diverse role models, and earlier engagement in schools to ensure all young people – regardless of gender – can see themselves in a STEM career.

Figures released by the Joint Council for Qualifications for UK wide results show: 

• STEM subjects saw 882,509 total entries, with Mathematics remaining the most popular A level for the 12th year (112,138 entries, up 4.4% from 2024).
• Top subjects include Mathematics, Psychology, Biology, Chemistry, Business Studies, Physics, History, Sociology, Art & Design, and Economics.
• Gender gaps persist: Maths (37.3% female), Further Maths (26.9% female), Physics (24.1% female), and Computing (18.6% female).
• Female uptake is growing in Physics (+7.9%), Chemistry (female entries outnumber males), and Biology (64% female).
• Environmental Science shows the most gender-balanced uptake (50.1% female), while Digital Technology remains the least chosen STEM subject.
• Vocational routes are rising: T level entries up 61.4% to 11,909, with strong representation in Science, Digital Technology, and Engineering.

David Lakin, Head of Events, Learning & Education at the Institution of Engineering and Technology said: “We’d like to congratulate all students receiving their A Level results today. It’s encouraging to see STEM subjects continue to rank highly among the most popular choices, reflecting a strong interest in science and technology among young people.

“The rise in T Level uptake is also a welcome development. Ensuring equal recognition between academic and vocational pathways is essential so students can make informed decisions about their future, whether that’s university, apprenticeships, or other hands-on routes into industry.

“With the UK facing a shortage of engineers, it’s vital that students receive a balanced mix of education, experience, and careers guidance. Embedding engineering into the curriculum, relating it to real-life scenarios and applications, and prioritising practical learning will help inspire the next generation to pursue rewarding careers that shape our world.”

Looking at gender breakdowns across subjects Dr Laura Norton, Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the Institution of Engineering and Technology and Managing Director of WISE, said: “It’s encouraging to see more girls choosing STEM subjects overall, but gender gaps persist – especially in Maths, Physics and Computing. This reflects long-standing differences in how boys and girls perceive engineering careers.”

“To close these gaps, we must challenge outdated stereotypes and spotlight diverse role models. Girls need to see that engineering is for them too – and that starts with visibility and access to all pathways, from school through to industry.”

“Role models matter – and celebrating women engineers is key to inspiring the next generation. Resources like WISE’s My Skills My Life platform are vital in showcasing the breadth of opportunities and people in STEM.”

In last week’s results in Scotland, Maths topped the charts with 4,460 Advanced Higher entries, followed by Biology at 3,125. In STEM, female representation sits at 47%, with high entries in Biology (69%) and Chemistry (60%). The numbers for girls drop in Engineering Science (17%) and Computing (20%), spotlighting some gender imbalances in line with what we’re seeing in today’s A level results.

To find out more about today’s results, visit: Research and statistics - WISE. For more information about careers in engineering, visit: IET Education - STEM activities and resources for primary and secondary.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

More detailed stats

• Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths gateway subjects saw a total of 882,509 entries. 
• STEM subjects feature heavily in the top ten most popular A level subjects for 2025: Mathematics (112,138), Psychology (75,943), Biology (71,400), Chemistry (63,538), Business studies (45,235), Physics (44,957), History (44,717), Sociology (43,875), Art & Design subjects (43,124) and economics (42,667). 
• Mathematics remains the most popular A level subject, for the 12th year in a row with 112,138 entries, up 4.4% from 107,427 in 2024. There has been a 21.7% increase in entries for A level mathematics in the last 10 years.
• A gender gap in Mathematics still exists, with 70,255 males taking the subject compared with 41,883 females.
• Further Mathematics A level has shown further growth this year, with an additional 1,308 taken this year (a 7.2% increase). The gender gap is clear though, with 14,174 male entries vs 5,216 female entries (females representing only 26.9% of entries).
• Physics has shown good growth this year with female entries up by 7.9%. However, there’s still a large gender gap with 34,143 male entries vs 10,814 female entries, (female entries representing 24.1% of all entries).
• Chemistry shows a slight growth with an additional 955 entries this year. Female entries (35,578) continue to outnumber male entries (27,960).
• Biology continues to be dominated by female entries (45,891) vs male entries (25,509). Total entries have dropped 4% since 2024.
• Female representation in Computing has grown to 18.6%, with 3,679 female entries compared to 16,117 male entries. The subject has seen an overall drop in entries by 2.8% due to a drop of 697 male entries.
• Design and Technology entries have remained stable with 7,115 male entries and 3,461 female entries. Representation stands at 32.7% female.
• Digital technology has the fewest entries out of all STEM subjects, as it’s relatively new. This year, there were 693 male entries and 266 female entries.
• Environmental science has been newly separated out from ‘Other Sciences’ due to an increase in uptake. Representation is the most balanced of all the Sciences with 50.1% female entries (1,194 male entries and 1,198 female entries).
• Now in their fourth year of being awarded, over 11,909 students have received their T Levels. This is a 61.4% increase on 2024.
• Science, Digital Technology and Engineering feature in the top ten for vocational and technical training.

Scottish Advanced Highers – STEM breakdown

	Male	Female	Total	% Female
Biology	955	2170	3125	69%
Chemistry	1100	1665	2765	60%
Computing science	610	155	765	20%
Design and manufacture	30	30	60	50%
Engineering science	50	10	60	17%
Mathematics	2645	1815	4460	41%
Mathematics of mechanics	380	95	475	20%
Physics	1595	520	2115	25%
Statistics	110	65	175	37%
Total	7475	6525	14000	47%

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Media enquiries to:   

Rebecca Gillick
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E: rgillick@theiet.org