A renaissance in science and maths but better career guidance needed

A-level results for 2010 show a continued increase in uptake for STEM subjects, which has been welcomed across the STEM education community.

Professor Sir John Holman, National STEM Director and Director of the National Science Learning Centre, said:
“The steady growth in the number of students taking A-level Sciences has continued this year, and there has been further impressive growth in Mathematics and Further Mathematics. There is still a long way to go, but it is clear that we are seeing the beginning of a renaissance in science and mathematics in schools and colleges. The days of university Physics and Chemistry departments closing due to lack of students are a long way behind us – indeed, the story now is of the fierce competition for places to study STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects at university.

“The growth in Sciences and Mathematics uptake is a tribute to the efforts of teachers of these subjects, and to the organisations that support them, including the Science Learning Centres, the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics and the Further Mathematics Support Programme. It is also a sign of the growing realism among young people and their parents about the subject choices that give them the best chances of a well-paid and interesting job.

“The challenge now is to maintain growth year-on-year – and the numbers taking AS levels this summer suggest that this increase will continue in 2011. However, if students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds are to benefit from the value of Science and Mathematics A-levels, it is important that they get good careers advice early on. Schools and colleges need to give students clear guidance on the A-level subject choices that are most useful to their careers, and not allow them to be steered towards the subjects that seem easiest, but have less value in the increasingly competitive university entrance and jobs market.”

The figures

A-level candidate numbers, all UK:

AS level candidates, all UK:

NB: AS numbers will not all translate into A-level numbers the following year, because some students finish their study of the subject at the end of AS.