According to newly released UCAS data, the number of young women in the UK applying for computing degrees has risen by 10% on last year.

BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, analysed the January deadline application data from UCAS, the university admissions services.

It found that, in total, there were 18,880 applications from UK 18-year-old women to study computing this year, up from last year’s figure of 17,140.

While male applicants still outnumber women in computer science by 4.1 to 1 this year, the gap has closed slightly from 4.4 to 1 at the same stage in the application cycle in 2023.

Applications to study computing from all UK young people (aged 18) rose by 7% to a total of 99,710. This mirrored notable growth in STEM, with maths up 11%, engineering 10%, and physical sciences 8%.

Computing is now the 7th most popular subject for UK 18-year-old applications, and 5th for all UK applicants. This is the sixth consecutive year of growth for computing applications from 18-year-olds.

Computing degrees at UK universities also continue to attract students from outside the UK. Over one-fifth of applications (21%) came from non-UK students, though this is a slight decrease from last year (23%).

BCS said the rise in women applying for computing was good news for the future safety and fairness of artificial intelligence, in particular.

Gillian Arnold, president of BCS, said: “More and more young women understand that taking a computing degree can help them change the world and that is shown by these UCAS application figures.

“There’s still a long way to go until we have the truly diverse tech profession we need to ensure emerging technology like AI benefits everyone. That also includes creating a more inclusive culture across the tech profession itself.

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“Diversity is more than just a concept when it comes to teams creating AI – reducing bias is a critical factor in all teams if we are to get more innovation in areas like medical diagnosis.

“People from every background need to be encouraged by the demand for computing and know that the tech profession needs them.”

Earlier research from BCS, undertaken in partnership with Coding Black Females, found issues such as microaggressions, lack of flexible working, and tech bro culture were just some of the barriers to women progressing in IT careers.