NEW STATESMAN: University computer science admissions have risen 60 per cent in a decade – but the gender gap persists

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Steve Furber, a professor of computer science at Manchester University, welcomed the “extremely healthy rise” in computer science admissions. “It would be good to think that we could move to a point where computing A-level could be a requirement for degree courses, because that could help us start from a higher level and go a bit further.” 

But he described the skew of gender balance as “discouraging”. “This is a particular concern because this is the last year ICT A-level will be offered,” he told NS Tech. “It has traditionally been more popular with female students.”