Barriers to STEM for Young Women – A Study

70% of young women are interested in STEM topics – so why aren’t they pursuing it?

At Walbrook Institute London, we surveyed 1,000 female students aged 16–19 across the UK to better understand how they feel about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The results were encouraging: 70% of respondents said they were personally interested in these subjects.

But despite that enthusiasm, many still hesitate to pursue STEM further — and the reasons why are both relatable and solvable. From teaching that doesn’t spark curiosity to the absence of visible female role models, our findings point to an urgent need to do things differently.

Two women sitting together at a desk, smiling while working on a laptop.

Top barriers holding young women back from STEM study

Students were asked to rate how much specific factors would stop them from studying STEM.

The top five concerns reflect a mix of practical and emotional challenges.

At Walbrook, we’ve designed our MBA programmes to tackle these challenges. They’re 100% online, designed for digital from day one, and flexible enough to balance with work, family and life – without sacrificing structure or career momentum.

Bar chart showing the main barriers preventing young women from studying STEM subjects.

A lack of engaging teaching is making STEM feel out of reach

We discovered that school experience plays a huge role in how students perceive STEM. Many described the content as dry, complicated or simply not engaging enough to inspire confidence.

That’s exactly why Walbrook takes a different approach. Our MBAs are built for digital from day one. Every module is crafted specifically for remote learning, with interactive, structured content designed to keep you engaged, motivated and progressing.

Three circular charts showing percentages related to students’ experiences of STEM teaching.

Role models are common – but mostly male, and not always visible

Two-thirds of students said they knew someone working in STEM – but most of those role models were male. One in three didn’t know anyone at all in the field.

Without visible, relatable role models, it becomes harder for young women to imagine themselves in STEM roles.

At Walbrook, we know the power of connection. You'll study alongside other students from across industries and regions.

Our flexible, digital-first model creates space for you to connect, share experiences and build a strong network – including with other women pursuing similar leadership paths in business, finance, tech and beyond.

Bar chart showing the types of role models young women see in STEM, with male role models most common.

"STEM careers can be so rewarding"

It’s important to ensure they’re available to everyone. While it’s good to see that most of the young women surveyed did know someone working in STEM, these results also show some invisible barriers. It’s clear from this survey that we need to build on young women’s interest in these subjects, and provide engaging, accessible teaching and support.

Dr Glory AigbedionLecturer at Walbrook Institute London

Ambition is high – and so is the desire for balance

We were struck by how clearly students expressed their priorities: they want success, but not at the expense of everything else. They’re not choosing between career and family. They want both. And it’s clear that the next generation of women leaders isn’t asking for shortcuts – just support that fits the way they live and learn.

Young women are not choosing between ambition and balance – they expect both. And the education system needs to keep up. That’s exactly what Walbrook’s online-first learning model is designed to support: structured weekly study, with the freedom to fit it around real life.

90%
...said they wanted to go to university.
85%
...said career success is important to them.
84%
...want to support their family and be present in their lives.
81%
...wanted to be financially well-off.

Download the full Young Women in STEM study

Our full report includes all the data and graphics shown here, plus deeper insights into what’s shaping young women’s choices in STEM education today.

Download our Young Women in STEM study

A person holding a tablet displaying the Young Women in STEM report..

Want to lead in STEM? How change can start with you

The young women in this study are ambitious, but the system around them still isn’t. They need education that’s engaging, flexible and shaped by people who’ve been there – and that includes professionals already leading the way.

If you’re building your own path in a male-dominated industry, or looking to step into leadership in high-growth fields like AI, you can be the role model they don’t yet see.

At Walbrook, we offer MBAs designed to help professionals lead that change – including our MBA in Artificial Intelligence.

Explore our online degree programmes

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