Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage more girls to study 'science, technology, engineering, and mathematics' subjects in higher education.

The department continues to support the take up of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects by girls and women in higher education (HE).

Skills, including STEM skills, are crucial for the delivery of the government’s missions. This is why the department is building a coherent, flexible, high quality skills system to break down barriers to opportunity and drive economic growth, underpinned by a new Post-16 Education and Skills Strategy.

To boost quality, encourage more students into STEM across schools and further education, and therefore ensure a strong pipeline of qualified students into HE and careers in STEM areas, the department has committed substantial spending on mathematics, digital and technical education. For instance, the government funds the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme, which provides professional development to teachers in state-funded schools and colleges in England, including strategies to raise girls’ participation in mathematics post-16. Support is focused in areas of low social mobility so that, whatever their location, background or gender, students can choose their best post-16 mathematics pathway and access high quality teaching.

Funding is also provided to the National Centre for Computing Education to support the teaching of computing and increase participation in computer science qualifications. This support includes programmes designed to encourage greater participation by girls and industry-led events that raise pupils’ awareness of careers in computing and digital.

The department is also supporting schools to deliver STEM-related careers education through programmes such as STEM ambassadors. Such initiatives raise young people’s awareness of the high quality options available for technical and academic routes into STEM and the careers STEM pathways offer.

The government will continue to support learners who wish to have a career in STEM through its technical education offer, with a range of high quality qualifications and apprenticeship opportunities at all levels. Examples of this include 12 T Levels in STEM subjects, including engineering, science, digital and media. T Levels are promoted to young people via the Skills for Life national communications campaign.

The government has also created over 370 employer-designed apprenticeship standards in STEM, including level 3 Cyber Security Technician, level 4 Software Developer and level 6 Civil Engineer (degree). Apprenticeships are a great way for anyone, regardless of their background or gender, to receive high quality training and skills to begin, or progress in, a successful career in STEM. The department is promoting STEM apprenticeships to girls in schools through our Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge Programme. In 2023/24, 17.7% (17,220) of STEM apprenticeship starts were by women, compared to 15.8% (15,170) in 2022/23.