While the number of girls taking computing A-level in 2024 increased year on year to over 3,000 students, computing science still hasn’t cracked the top ten list of A-level courses taken in England and Wales.

Computing science uptake among girls has been on a steady rise, with many initatives aiming to get more girls into computing courses to one day fill the gender gap in tech.

The growth seen in 2024, which saw an increase of 28.6% from 2023, by 800 students, represents the largest showing of girls in the course in five years.

2024 also saw an overall rise in the number of students taking computing, with an increase of 11.3% from the previous year.

The uptick however still falls short of breaking computing science into the top ten A-level courses of 2024, as young people still show hesitancy on taking the course.

“Technology plays an integral role in every aspect of our lives,” David Shepherd, senior vice president of EMEA at Ivanti, said.

“Yet although the digital revolution has been going on for years, the skills gap is widening. While computer
science is gaining traction, its absence from the top ten A-Level subjects announced today is concerning. Every job, from engineering to law, is increasingly reliant on technology.”

Getting rid of ICT (information communication technology), a course that taught students more business and administrative computer skills, may be reason for the overall increasing in computing students.

Computing courses, on the other hand, offer more technical computing skills, such as programming. While programming is becoming more common place, removing ICT from the A-level curriculum was controversial as many entering the workforce lack basic digital skills.

And, while the number of girls taking computing may be on the rise, this figure generally falls when girls progress in their education to university, and even further when entering the workforce.

“The next generation needs to be digitally fluent to ensure their future success,” Shepherd continued.

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“Whether they pursue an IT career or not, these skills allow people to leverage the right tools, adapt to evolving technologies, and unlock their full potential.

“What’s more, digital literacy promotes productivity and safety. It safeguards individuals from online threats, such as AI-generate misinformation and cyber threats, and equips them to harness the power of AI responsibly – at work and in their personal lives.

“Increasing the focus on computer science in schools is paramount. However, the responsibility for this lies with all of us. As tech leaders, we must influence our organisations
to invest in schools – providing students with the equipment and knowledge to thrive and build our future talent pipeline.”