Overview
This briefing covers entries and attainment for STEM subjects at GCSE, Scottish National 5, and level 1 and 2 VTQ for the 2026 exam series. It also looks at the changes from 2025, as well as gendered differences in entries and attainment across STEM subjects. It includes trends back to 2022.
GCSE, VTQ and Scottish National 5 results day briefing 2026
Who this is for
- Professional Engineering Institutions
- Policymakers
- Researchers
- Employers
Key findings
- statistics had the largest percentage increase in entries among STEM subjects — up 11.2% from 2025
- triple science entries (biology, chemistry, physics) fell by around 1.5%, while science: double award entries rose by 1.9%, continuing a shift toward combined science
- male students outnumber female students in 19 of 20 STEM GCSE subjects
- female students outperformed males in 12 of 20 STEM subjects at grade 7/A and above
- in Scottish National 5 Applications of Mathematics saw an 8.6% increase in entries from 2025 and has grown over 100% since 2022, becoming the second most popular STEM subject at National 5 level
- in VTQs there were 113,061 awards for engineering and technology subjects in 2026, 25% of all results awarded
Achieving qualifications in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects are key milestones on the route to an engineering and technology career. Level 2 qualifications can lead on to exciting routes from A levels to apprenticeships, T Levels and other VTQs. STEM subjects can open the door to a rewarding and diverse career in engineering and technology.
— Becca Gooch, Head of Research, EngineeringUK
