Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to encourage students to study STEM subjects at university.

The department is encouraging more students into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and training at all stages from primary school to higher education. We are improving careers advice in schools so that young people are aware of the high quality options available for both technical and academic routes into STEM. They also have access to information about the variety of careers that STEM pathways have to offer. STEM activities, including employer talks and work visits, are built into school career programmes and the Careers & Enterprise Company funds opportunities for young people to meet a wide range of STEM employers.

As part of the UK’s Industrial Strategy, the government has committed substantial spending on mathematics, digital and technical education to increase the take-up and better teaching of STEM subjects in schools. For example, the department is funding an £84 million programme to improve computing teaching and participation, and the Advanced Maths Premium, which aims to support schools and colleges in tackling some of the financial barriers to increase participation in post-16 maths. We also fund the Stimulating Physics Network and Isaac Physics to improve the take up of physics post-16, especially among girls.