Take up of computer science at GCSE level is much lower for girls despite those that do study the subject often outperforming boys, new figures show.

According to BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, only 21 per cent of exams for GCSE computer science in England were taken by girls.

In Wales, just 30 per cent of entries for GCSE ICT were taken up by girls, while only 13 per cent of computer science entries were made by girls.

But girls taking computer science continue to get higher grades than boys, with 29.9 per cent achieving an A or above compared to 22.9 per cent of boys.

"Digital skills are vital for everyone as they provide the tools to take an active part in society, support career prospects and help drive the economy," said the IT Institute. "Encouraging more girls to take computing is a complex issue – we need to change parental and societal perceptions around the subject and increase awareness of the importance of the subject."

Computer science fastest growing STEM subject

Figures from BCS also show that computer science is now the fastest growing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subject at GCSE.

87,660 people were awarded a GCSE in computer science this year, with the number of entries growing by 12 per cent compared to an overall GCSE entry increase of three per cent.

The total number of computer science entries grew from 81,120 in 2022 to 90,558 this year.

"Congratulations to everyone who sat this year's GCSE exams.” Said Julia Adamson, managing director, education & public benefit, BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. “I hope that many of the pupils getting their results today will continue to develop their knowledge in this subject and I wish them every success in their future careers.”

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