Call for more female technology students

Around 115,000 more girls would need to study A-levels in maths or physics to reach equal numbers of male and female students studying engineering and technology degrees.

A report by charity EngineeringUK has found just 8% of first-year undergraduate women who had studied mathsand/orphysics at A-level went on to study engineering and technology degrees, compared to

23% of men.

It says that, at the current conversion rate from A-level to undergraduate study, around 150,000 girls would need to study Alevels in one or both subjects to reach the same number of women studying engineering and technology as men.

Dr Claudia Mo ll id or, head of research and evaluation at EngineeringUK, said: "The gender disparity within undergraduate degrees in engineering and technology is really concerning.

"Given that A-levels in maths and physics are often a prerequisite for such degrees, we need to do more to make sure these subjects are attractive and accessible to girls at school – particularly given we know girls perform as well as boys, or even outperform them, in these subjects.

"The UK will struggle to get on top of its acute skills shortage if it fails to increase the number of women entering engineering related careers.

"The first step to addressing this is to increase girls' interest and engagement with science and maths at school ."

The report - which highlights that the prerequisite for many degrees in engineering and technology is an A-level in both maths and physics - also questions whether this entry requirement needs to continue.