STEM subjects are on the way up, with an increase in boys and girls taking science subjects at A level. 

Post-recent A level results, many pupils are now looking at applying to universities, with A level entries higher than expected given that the population is estimated to have decreased by three per cent, with A level entries decreasing by only 1.3 per cent.

Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson said: “Receiving your A level results is a huge day for all involved so I want to congratulate pupils, parents and teachers on all their hard work.

“I’m delighted to see more pupils choosing science-related subjects. This is encouraging particularly as we look to boost science in this country and the skills we’ll need in the future.

“Overall the reforms we’ve put in place since 2010 and increasing rigour in our schools are giving pupils more opportunities.”

Recent statistics published by the Government have revealed the following:

• Entries to STEM subjects have increased for both boys and girls – overall a 26.2 per cent rise since 2010
• More girls now do science subjects – biology, chemistry and physics combined – than boys and overall science entries are up by 7.4 per cent, despite the fall in the population
• Entries to Spanish have risen making it the most popular language at A level while there has been a relative increase in entries to German for the first time since 2007
• Maths remains the most popular subject at A level
• Since 2010, total entries in mathematics and further mathematics have increased by 20.0 per cent, despite a 10.7 per cent fall in the A level cohort population in the period
• Entries to both history and geography have increased
• Girls narrowly outperform boys at A and A* combined, reversing last year’s trend, but boys did better than girls at A*
• The North East has the highest overall pass rate and the biggest percentage improvement at A and A* grades
• There has been a rise in non-EU students coming to the country to study and a rise in nursing admissions – bucking a recent trend