A-level computing on the rise as more girls choose to code

The number of girls choosing to study computing at A-level has grown again this year, alongside slight growth in the overall number of candidates taking the subject.

In the UK, the number of girls studying A-level computing in 2026 increased by 2.8%. This marks the seventh year of growth in girls choosing the subject, from 1,797 in 2020, to 2,031 in 2021, 2,352 in 2022, 2,765 in 2023, 3,556 in 2024, 3,679 in 2025 and now 3,782 in 2026.

While the past seven years have seen slow but steady growth in the number of girls choosing to take the subject, the number of overall candidates has fluctuated. In 2025, the total number of computing A-level candidates in the UK was down on the year before, but this year, the number has grown from 19,796 in 2025 to 20,009 in 2026.

But there are rising concerns about skills gaps across the UK, especially as artificial intelligence (AI) poses a new and fast-growing area of technology that is redefining the skills needed for life and the workplace. Many have claimed the current curriculum is not fit for purpose when it comes to technology education, and parents have even claimed children aren’t learning to code as part of computing classes.

When it comes to AI, however, Bron Gondwana, CEO of email provider Fastmail, advises young people to develop skills unique to them without worrying what AI will bring.

“For young people starting their careers, I’d focus less on trying to predict which jobs AI might change and more on developing expertise that makes you valuable, regardless,” he said.

“While you have the energy, become really good at something, then look for the intersection between different skills or disciplines that nobody else is combining. That’s where innovation happens and where you’ll be hardest to replace. AI will continue to change how we work, but curiosity, adaptability and deep expertise will always matter.” 

For science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects overall, there has been an increase in interest from students, with A-level candidates rising in biology, chemistry, physics, maths and further maths this year – a positive when compared with last year’s slow growth in some subjects and decline in others.

When it comes to grade attainment, computing results were slightly up year-on-year, and girls once again outperformed boys, with 7.8% of female candidates achieving an A* compared with 6% of male candidates.

Girls performed better than boys at every grade attainment level: 73.1% of female students achieved at least a C grade, compared with 70.1% of male students; 52.1% of female students achieved at least a B grade, while only 48.1% of male students achieved the same; and 28.8% of female students achieved at least an A grade, compared with 24.7% of male students.

Results day can make it feel as though there is one correct route into adult life, but there isn’t. A-levels and university have been seen as the default choice for many young people over the last few decades, but there are other paths to success

Overall, 70.7% of students who took the computing exam achieved at least a C grade, 48.9% achieved at least a B grade, and slightly more than a quarter achieved at least an A, matching last year’s grade attainment of higher-level grades.

Many experts cautioned young people against worrying that their grades will affect their future careers, pointing out the many routes into tech careers and the need for employers to help entry-level employees gain specific skills for roles.

Russell Attwood, CEO of technology solutions provider Route 101, said: “Results day can make it feel as though there is one correct route into adult life, but there isn’t. A-levels and university have been seen as the default choice for many young people over the last few decades, but there are other paths to success. A degree can be valuable for some careers, but it is not a measure of drive or future potential.  

“I left school at 16, dropped out of a BTEC business course after three months and started building my career through work, sales and on-the-job learning. That eventually led me to build and sell a technology business before founding Route 101, now a multimillion-pound technology company employing almost 200 people.  

“Students today should not judge their entire future by a single set of grades. Keep learning, work hard and be prepared to take the next opportunity. There are many routes forward, and your first step does not have to define where you finish.”