The proportion of women taking computer science degrees in the UK has risen to 25 per cent for the first time, according to a new analysis of Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) data from online lab hosting platform Go Deploy.
The study, which examined gender representation over five years across IT, engineering and technology degrees, shows slow but steady progress in efforts to diversify the UK’s tech talent pool. But the numbers also make it clear how far the sector still has to go: men continue to dominate both educational pathways and the workforce, with 70.4 percent of information and communications roles currently occupied by male employees.
The proportion of women in computer science courses will increase from 20% to 25% in five years
Research shows a steady upward trend:
• In the 2019/20 academic year, 19.9% of all computer science students were women
• By 2023/24, this number increased to 25.3%, with 48,415 women enrolled
The total number of students increased over the period, but the number of female students increased more than that of male students.
Progress is also visible at the bachelor’s level. Women now make up:
• 19.8% of engineering and technology students (versus 18.2% in 2019/20)
• 21.1% of computer science students (versus 17.1% in the same period)
While these changes remain small, they are encouraging indicators of cultural and structural changes within university programs.
The workforce is still heavily male-dominated
Despite improvements in education, the gender balance in the UK tech workforce is still far from balanced. ONS data shows that over 70% of jobs in the information and communications sector are held by men – a ratio that has remained largely unchanged over the past five years.
Go Deploy warns that without accelerating advances in early education, the industry risks perpetuating an entrenched talent gap.
“Start early, show role models, build community”: insights from a computer science student
Go Deploy spoke to Aurelia Brzezowska, a BSc computer science student at Staffordshire University, who said that despite improvements, female students still feel very outnumbered.
“I estimate that the female-male split in my class is about 1:9,” she said. “It can make you feel like a minority.”
Brzezowska believes that change must start much earlier than at the university.
“To increase female participation, we must start early. Show more female role models and teachers in elementary and secondary schools. Build clubs and communities that support minorities. Higher education cannot make up for everything.”
She added that targeted programs, scholarships and partnerships with Women in Tech organizations could make a significant difference.
“I wouldn’t have stayed on my path if certain lecturers hadn’t encouraged me to be the change I wanted to see.”
Go Deploy’s analysis shows that the display is improving, albeit slowly. The organization says more systemic interventions are needed across schools, universities and employers, particularly as the UK continues to face a critical digital skills shortage.
