Engineering bodies highlight STEM gender gaps as exam results revealed
21 Aug 2025
Engineering leaders have welcomed signs of progress in science and technology uptake among students receiving their GCSE, T and A level results but warned that persistent gender gaps and declines in key subjects risk undermining the UK’s ambitions.
They warned there could be long-term implications for plans to encourage growth in areas such as defence, energy, and artificial intelligence.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), working with Women into Science and Engineering (WISE), highlighted sharp falls in GCSE science entries among girls this year.
Joint Council for Qualifications data showed female participation dropped by 6% in biology, 6.3% in chemistry and 6.8% in physics, amounting to 17,589 fewer female entries across these subjects.
While overall STEM entries at GCSE remained steady at 2.65 million, subject-by-subject analysis reveals uneven trends. Maths entries rose by 1.7% and the science double award by 0.9%, but biology (-5.8%) and chemistry (-6.0%) saw notable declines.
David Lakin, IET head of learning services and education, said: “It’s concerning to see a drop in STEM gateway subjects, particularly among girls at this stage. With 124,000 engineers needed annually, and nearly half of employers telling us education isn’t preparing young people for real-world roles, low uptake in STEM threatens the start of the talent pipeline.”
EngineeringUK echoed these concerns, noting the long-term decline of design and technology (D&T) at GCSE, with entries now less than half of their 2016 level, alongside a slight dip in computing after last year’s increase.
Beth Elgood, director of communications at EngineeringUK, said: “Computing remains above pre-2024 levels overall, but the continued slide in D&T should ring alarm bells given its value as a route into engineering.”
At A level, the picture was more encouraging, saiud the institutions. STEM entries reached 882,509, with mathematics the most popular subject for the twelfth consecutive year, up 4.4% to 112,138 entries.
Female participation grew across physics (+7.9%), chemistry and biology, while environmental science achieved almost perfect gender balance. However, gaps persist, with just 24.1% of physics entries and 18.6% of computing entries from girls.
Dr Laura Norton, head of equity, diversity and inclusion at the IET 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. To close these gaps, we must challenge outdated stereotypes and spotlight diverse role models.”
Vocational qualifications also showed strong growth. T level entries rose 61.4% to 11,909 across science, digital technology and engineering, with engineering and technology entries up 56.2% to 5,643. Female participation in this route increased to 12%, up from 9% last year.
Becca Gooch, head of research at EngineeringUK, said: “While women remain under-represented in engineering and technology – making up just 16.9% of the workforce – today’s results show movement in the right direction. The growth in female uptake of physics, D&T and computing, and the rising popularity of T levels, are particularly positive.”
EngineeringUK also pointed to the higher education picture, where accepted applicants to engineering and technology degrees rose 13% to 30,020 compared with 26,680 last year.
The IET’s Lakin added that parity of esteem between academic and vocational pathways was essential: “The rise in T Level uptake is welcome. Ensuring equal recognition between academic and vocational routes is vital so students can make informed decisions about their future – whether that’s university, apprenticeships, or other hands-on routes into industry.”
Pic: Shutterstock
