GCSE results 2026: Girls excel in STEM, but engineering subjects still struggle to attract female students 

Today's GCSE results mark an important milestone for young people considering their future education and career pathways, including opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).  

With more than 6.2 million GCSE entries this year, participation has increased slightly compared with 2025, reflecting a growing cohort of students progressing through education. GCSE outcomes also remain broadly consistent with last year. 

As students make decisions about A levels, T Levels, apprenticeships and other qualifications, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and WISE (Women into Science and Engineering) are encouraging more girls and young women to consider STEM pathways that can lead to rewarding careers in engineering and technology. 

While girls continue to achieve strongly across GCSE subjects and participate widely in core STEM disciplines, gender imbalances remain in several subjects that can lead directly to engineering and technology careers, highlighting the need for continued efforts to improve representation across the sector. 

Figures published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) show: 

• GCSE entries increased by 0.6% to 6.2 million across the UK, reflecting a growing cohort of young people progressing through education. 
• Girls continue to outperform boys overall, with 73.7% achieving grade 4/C and above, compared with 67.8% of boys. 
• The attainment gap between girls and boys achieving grade 4/C and above has continued to narrow, falling from 6.8 percentage points in 2023 to 5.9 percentage points in 2026. 
• Strong STEM attainment continues, with 47.1% of Chemistry students, 46.1% of Physics students and 43.6% of Biology students achieving grade 7 or above. 
• Female participation in core STEM subjects increased by 0.8% overall. However, participation remains lower in some engineering-related subjects, with female entries in Design & Technology falling by 7.1% and Engineering falling by 22.5% compared with 2025. 

Dr Laura Norton, Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and WISE Director at the IET, said: 

"Congratulations to everyone receiving their GCSE results today. This is an important milestone and the start of exciting opportunities, whether that is A levels, T Levels, apprenticeships or other pathways into STEM. 

"It's encouraging to see girls continuing to achieve strongly across GCSE subjects and to see broad participation across many core STEM disciplines. However, today's data shows there is still more work to do to achieve greater gender equity in some of the subjects that can lead directly to careers in engineering and technology. 

"Engineering and technology are helping to tackle some of society's biggest challenges, from developing cleaner energy systems to advancing digital technologies. To build the skilled and diverse workforce needed for the future, we must continue to ensure that girls and young women feel confident exploring the full range of STEM opportunities available to them. 

"Visible role models remain incredibly important. By showcasing the wide variety of pathways into engineering and technology, and highlighting women already thriving in these careers, we can help more young women see themselves as the engineers, innovators and problem-solvers of the future." 

ENDS

Notes to editors: 

About the Institution of Engineering and Technology 

• We inspire, inform and influence the global engineering community to engineer a better world. 
• We are a diverse home for engineering and technology intelligence throughout the world. This breadth and depth mean we are uniquely placed to help the sector progress society. 
• We want to build the profile of engineering and technology to change outdated perceptions and tackle the skills gap. This includes encouraging more women to become engineers and growing the number of engineering apprentices.
• Interview opportunities are available with our spokespeople from a range of engineering and technology disciplines including cyber-security, energy, engineering skills, innovation, manufacturing, technology, transport and diversity in engineering.
• For more information, visit www.theiet.org
• Follow the IET on LinkedIn and Instagram @TheIET / @InstitutionofEngineeringandTechnology.

Media enquiries to:

Megan Stearn 
Senior Communications Executive
E: meganstearn@theiet.org