Recent research conducted by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, revealed an 8% year-on-year increase in the number of women studying computer science degrees in the UK. According to data from UCAS, out of the 15,530 UK-based students accepted to study computer science this year, 2,940 were women. Julia Adamson, managing director for education and public benefit at BCS, emphasized the importance of continuing to increase the number and diversity of qualified technologists to meet the demands of the digital future and address the gender gap in the technology sector.
Despite progress in increasing the number of girls choosing computing at GCSE and A-levels, as well as an 8% increase in women studying computer science degrees in 2024, there is still work to be done. The ratio of male to female students studying computer science at university has been gradually improving over the past five years, with current figures showing 4.1 men for every woman enrolled in a computer science degree. Initiatives such as apprenticeships are also playing a role in closing the skills gap in the technology sector by providing intern training for relevant job roles.
