Engineering news
Girls are helping to reshape the future of engineering, with new research showing they are now more likely than boys to research careers in biomedical engineering -a fast-growing field combining technology, healthcare and innovation.
The study by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and careers platform Unifrog found that 1.24% of girls researched biomedical engineering, compared with 1.09% of boys.
The findings challenge the traditional image of engineering as a male-dominated profession focused on engines, factories and heavy industry - and show young people are increasingly interested in engineering as a way to tackle real-world challenges.
Engineering is now the third most popular university subject researched by young people, ranking third out of 21 subject areas. Aerospace and aviation are the most popular engineering fields, at 1.73%, closely followed by mechanical engineering at 1.70%.
While boys still show greater overall interest in engineering degrees - 14% compared with 4% of girls - the research suggests the gender gap is beginning to shift in some of the profession’s emerging disciplines.
Engineering-minded students are also more likely to actively explore their future careers. More than a third (37%) engage with employers, attend careers events or visit universities, compared with 24% of other students.
And they are less motivated by fame and prestige, with just 12% saying this is important to them, compared with 20% of students interested in other subjects. Instead, they place greater value on practical experience and understanding where their studies could take them.
Matthew Rooney, Head of Engineering Policy and Impact at IMechE, said:
“Engineering is changing, and young people are changing with it. The stereotype that engineering is only about engines, factories and hard hats is disappearing.
Today’s engineers are designing life-saving medical devices, developing artificial intelligence, transforming healthcare and tackling some of society’s biggest challenges.
It’s encouraging to see more girls recognising that engineering offers exciting careers where they can make a real difference. While there is still much more to do to close the overall gender gap, these findings show the future of engineering is becoming broader, more diverse and more appealing than ever before.”
The research also found that young people interested in engineering are more likely to see themselves as strong problem-solvers and confident with numbers. Some 68% describe themselves as strong problem-solvers, compared with 59% of non-engineering students, while 47% report confidence with numeracy, compared with 35% of their peers.
However, interest is not evenly spread across engineering. Traditional disciplines such as civil engineering remain less popular, despite their vital role in housing, infrastructure, climate resilience and Net Zero, potentially creating future skills challenges.
The report, The Future is Engineering: What Young People Really Think, is based on anonymised Unifrog data from thousands of 14 to 16-year-olds researching university courses, apprenticeships and future careers.
Read the full report here.