Physics A level results – finally on the increase and with good future prospects

IOP

16 August 2007

After more than 20 years of steady decline in examination entrances for A level physics, numbers are now on the increase. A pattern is emerging as the number of candidates for both A and AS level examination figures has gone up.

In comparison with figures for 2006, physics A level examination numbers have increased by 0.35 per cent and AS levels have gone up by 3.2 per cent, which should translate into larger increase at A level next year. It is particularly heartening that the number of girls choosing to take physics A and AS level courses has increased at a higher rate, 2.5 per cent and 4.2 per cent respectively.

There has been a steady decline in physics examination entrances until this year. In 1995, 35,000 students chose to take physics A level but by 2006 the figure was down to 27,000. The Institute of Physics has worked closely with the government to ensure that students are aware of the broad career and study opportunities that physics qualifications can open up and also to make sure that students see how exciting physics can be. The current increases at both A and AS levels, coupled with the 12 percent increase in applications for university physics degrees, indicate that the message is getting through.

Particularly pleasing are the increases in the number of girls studying physics. The Institute of Physics has been working closely with the government in developing measures to encourage more girls into physics, with a teachers’ guide and training for teachers, which includes a specially produced DVD starring James Fleet and Helen Baxendale.

Dr Robert Kirby-Harris, chief executive of the Institute of Physics, said, “The figures are very encouraging. The message is getting through, physics is good for your prospects and good for the economy. Physics underpins the solutions we will need to meet today’s key challenges to society – climate change, energy supply, sustainable housing and efficient transport – and physics graduates work right across the economy in well paid interesting careers, including making a major contribution to the City and finance sector.

The results come hot on the trail of demands from businesses for more science trained students. On Monday the CBI (Confederation of British Industry) was the latest in a long line of organisations demanding better science training in the UK and pointing out the advantages to be had from a good science education.

Professor Peter Main, director of education and science at the Institute of Physics, said, “The government has recognised the need for increased funding for science education in successive budgets. In 2006, the government introduced the Next Steps programme to ensure that: There were more specialist physicists being trained to teach; that more A levels were being taken in physics; and that more students were doing separate science GCSEs.

“The Institute has introduced a number of programmes to help government meet these targets, setting up courses to help non-specialist scientists train to become physics teachers, designing best practise curriculum to make sure physics is interesting in the classroom, and working with government to encourage more girls to take physics. Today’s results show that students and parents too are beginning to realise the excitement and career potential of physics

“It’s particularly encouraging to see the gender divide decreasing. We’re seeing the girl-boy ratio change year on year as more and more female students choose to take the subject because they increasingly see physics as both interesting and relevant to them.“

RESULTS TABLE FOR PHYSICS

Further Information about girls in physics:

The Institute has produced guidance reports for teachers and the government to encourage girls into the physics classroom. For further information, go to:

http://www.iop.org/activity/education/Making_a_Difference/Policy/page_22210.html

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