TIGA, the network for developers and digital publishers and the trade association representing the video games industry, welcomed the increase in students studying Physics, Science and Additional Science at GCSE Level. TIGA made the comments following the publication of the 2016 A-Level and GCSE results. Computing is, meanwhile, the fastest growing GCSE subject matter this year, seeing a 76% increase in entries when contrasted to previous years.
2016 GCSE and A-Level results show*:
- More students per school than seen previously are choosing to study Physics, Science and Additional Science at GCSE level.
- 2016 saw a 76% increase in entries to study Computing at GCSE level, compared to the previous year.
- Maths was the most popular GCSE subject across the UK, at 757,000 students.
- Over 56% of Additional Maths students secured A or A* grades, and over 40% of Physics students secured A or A* grades, making them as the best performing subjects.
- However, ICT, Physics, Statistics, Biology and Physics – all core STEM subjects – saw the most significant decrease in A and A* results since 2011.
- Over a quarter of students achieved A or A* grades at A-Level.
- Over half of A-Level Further Maths students saw grades of an A or A* , while some 40% achieved those grades in A-Level Maths.
- Males continued to dominate Physics, Math and Computing at A-Level where entry levels were concerned, with the latter subject seeing females make up less than 10% of those studying.
Commenting on the 2016 GCSE and A-Level results, Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, said:
“Congratulations to all those that have completed their GCSE and A-Level studies this year. I hope we see many of them go on to find employment in the UK games industry in the future.
“For the UK games industry to thrive, we need a robust stream of talented young students that excel in both traditional STEM subjects and game-specific courses at a higher education level, who then enter the sector with relevant skills and training.
“It is, therefore, hugely encouraging to see a significant boost in the numbers of students studying Computing, and as the results show, there are several positive signs where the study of Maths and Physics is concerned. Conversely, the relatively low numbers of females studying in games relevant courses is troubling. The Government must actively encourage and support initiatives that address this imbalance in order to improve diversity in education and employment.
“At TIGA we will continue to work with universities, colleges, and developers to ensure that we have a world-beating workforce, through initiatives like our TIGA Accreditation scheme. TIGA University Accreditation highlights some of the best university games courses to developers and to students.”
* Sources: UK Government figures (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/a-guide-to-gcse-results-summer-2016) and The Joint Council For Qualifications CIC (http://www.jcq.org.uk/examination-results)