Physics A-level entrants rise for the fifth consecutive year

A-level results published by the Joint Council for Qualifications have shown an increase for the fifth consecutive year in the number of students sitting examinations in physics; as a consequence, for the first time since 2002, physics is again listed as one of the top ten most popular subjects. At the same time, applications for physics courses at university have also increased by more than 17% on last year, with astronomy in particular showing a huge rise of 40%.

The total number of students entered for physics A-level has increased by 6.1%, from 30,976 in 2010 to 32,860 in 2011.

Professor Sir Peter Knight, incoming-President of the Institute of Physics (IOP), said: “Year-on-year we are seeing increases in the number of students choosing to sit physics A-level. As physics has enjoyed popular rejuvenation - thanks, in no small part, to the ‘Brian Cox effect’ and the excitement surrounding the Large Hadron Collider - we’re sure that many students are also responding to calls from university leaders, businesses and the Government for students to choose subjects which will provide the skills our country needs.

“The incremental increases each year have led to a significant long-term trend. Over the last five years, the number of A-level exams taken across all subjects has risen 7.7% but the growth in the number entering for physics is far stronger - a 19.6% increase over the last five years. Students across the country are hearing the cry for more scientists and rising to the challenge!”

However, a minor disappointment still lingers - despite total number increases in the number of both girls and boys sitting the exam, the gender divide still remains at approximately 1 girl for every 4 boys achieving A level physics.

Experts have suggested that some of the reasons behind this rise in physics popularity include the fact that employers have made it clear that physics graduates are very much in demand, the increasing 'popularisation' of physics through programmes such as Brian Cox's [i[Wonders of the Universe[/i], a rise in the number of qualified physics teachers now entering schools, a sea change in the way physics is now taught in schools to make it less dry and much more inclusive and the high profile afforded to physics experiments such as the Large Hadron Collider and ongoing developments in space exploration.

Clare Thomson, Curriculum and Diversity Manager, pre-19 at IOP, concludes: “When the target of 35,000 students entering physics A-level by 2014 was first announced, many doubted it could be achieved. The work undertaken by governments, universities, businesses and learned societies to turn the tide is paying off."