Levelling Up: Maths Programme

Levelling Up: Maths is a scheme supported by The London Mathematical SocietyLink opens in a new window and the Institute of MathematicsLink opens in a new window to provide students from underrepresented backgrounds with online tutoring and guidance with their university applications.

Thinkhigher is the first Uni Connect partnership to coordinate the scheme usually run by universities themselves, launching earlier this year with match funding from Dr Tony Hill.Link opens in a new window

Together, with the LMS, IMA and our donor, we identified Black heritage students as a priority group for this scheme as they are currently underrepresented in STEM subjects across Russell Group universities and in STEM professions across the UK.

The aim of the programme is to encourage students from underrepresented backgrounds to consider studying Mathematics or related subjects (STEM, Economics etc) beyond A-level.

The overall goal is inclusion, as we seek to boost their self-confidence, raise their aspirations and accelerate their academic attainment. Putting it another way, we aim to help make sure they are ready to apply for a place at university, and then to succeed once they are there.

Levelling Up: Women in Computer Science

“To be something, you need to see something”

Following the tremendous success of our collaboration on Levelling Up Maths last year, we were inspired to take further action. Our team is deeply committed to promoting gender equality and dismantling gender stereotypes. Therefore, when the chance arose to collaborate once more with Dr. Tony Hill and, this time, with the inclusion of the BCSLink opens in a new window, the decision was an obvious one!

The gender gap in STEM fields at both degree level and career level is significant. Overall, the percentage of female graduates with core STEM degrees is only 26% compared to 74% male. In the workplace, this figure is even lower, with women only making up 24% of the workforce. Computer Science, Engineering and Technology fields show the largest gender imbalance from current students, to graduates and the workforce. Computer Science is a significantly male-dominated field with only approximately 20% of Computer Science undergraduates female identifying. Yet research suggests that closing the gender gap in CS could have huge financial benefits for the sector.

The less young women that see themselves represented in the sector, the less likely they are to apply for jobs in that field.

Creating a sense of belonging can foster confidence. Studies have shown that the more people that sound and look like you, the more confident you will feel. And whilst there is lack of female STEM role models is a society-wide problem, one way that we can encourage more girls down this path is by providing female role models they can aspire to, in the form of undergraduate tutors. Our belief is if you get young women started early and give them these positive experiences, they will want to continue with it when they get older.

We are so pleased to have nearly 30 Year 12 girls signed up to the programme for the 23/24 year and we launched early December with a mixer event which gave all learners a chance to meet one another ahead of their formal tutoring and to start their journey with us as they foster a sense of community and belonging, something we can't wait to witness.