In 2024, the number of girls choosing to study computing at A-level increased significantly by almost 800 students, surpassing the 3,000 student mark. This 28.6% jump from the previous year marks one of the largest year-on-year increases in girls taking the subject over the past five years.
Becky Wallace, head of people at online training portal LearnUpon, expressed positivity about the 28.6% rise in girls studying computing at A-level. However, she emphasized that more needs to be done to improve female representation in the male-dominated technology sector, with a focus on creating a talent pipeline to support this growth.
Looking back at the numbers over the past five years, the increase in the number of girls taking A-level computing in the UK has been steady, with figures rising from 1,797 in 2020 to 3,556 in 2024. Wallace highlighted the importance of not only attracting women to STEM subjects but also retaining them at all levels.
Despite an overall increase in students taking computing in 2024, it still did not make the top 10 most studied subjects for the year. Factors contributing to the rise in computing students, including girls, could be attributed to the removal of ICT as a subject, leaving computing as a more appealing option.
Mairead O’Connor, practice operations director at Node4, pointed out the need for more female role models in the technology industry to make it more inclusive and accessible to young women. With higher grade attainment levels in 2024 compared to the previous year, there is optimism within the tech sector about the future workforce being equipped with the necessary skills to take advantage of new technologies.
While the increase in students studying computing at A-level is seen as a positive trend, there are calls for continued support from businesses, government, and educational institutions to ensure that students are adequately prepared for the evolving technology landscape. Effective training programs and onboarding processes will be crucial in ensuring that younger workers can immediately contribute to the sector and drive future innovation.
