Brainy Britain set for a huge rise in boffins as nerdy revolution begins

We could be looking at a rise in young eggheads as students want to become boffins after tackling school after the highest number of A-Levels in physics for 25 years

Britain looks set to see a new generation of boffins amid a huge surge in students choosing physics.

The number of physics entries in the UK for this year’s A-levels were the highest in 25 years.

Figures show nearly 45,000 young eggheads choosing to study the science subject this year – the highest this century and up 4.% on last year.

We’re also expected to see a huge number of future boffinesses as the number of girls choosing to study it is on the rise as well.

The Institute of Physics (IOC) chief executive Tom Grinyer said: “We have seen the highest entry levels for A-level physics this century.

“It’s great news for physics, young people and the UK’s science and innovation ambitions.

“We are delighted so many young people, and increasing numbers of girls, are hearing the message that physics can open up a lifetime of opportunities.

“The increase moves the subject up to the sixth most popular from ninth.

“And girls made up 24.1% of those candidates – for the second year running over 10,000 girls have opted for physics. “If we can build on this momentum there is a real opportunity to finally close the gap between boys and girls in physics at A-level. “To do that we need to continue to challenge the stereotypes that still put too many young people off physics.” The University and College Admissions Service (Ucas) said it does not publish subject-specific data at this stage in the admissions cycle. But stats for “physical sciences”, which physics falls under, reveals that currently 9,530 18-year-olds have been accepted. This is the highest number since new course codes were introduced six years ago in 2019.

Most recent IOC figures from the 2023/24 academic year showed there were 22,520 physics students at all levels of university study, including 17,150 undergraduates.

The IOC added: “The increase at A-level has yet to work its way into degree entries but we would be hopeful that it will.”

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