Your Privacy

We use cookies, which are small text files placed on your computer, to allow the site to work for you, improve your user experience, to provide us with information about how our site is used, and to deliver personalised ads which help fund our work and deliver our service to you for free.

The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalised web experience.

You can accept all, or else manage cookies individually. However, blocking some types of cookies may affect your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.

You can change your cookies preference at any time by visiting our Cookies Notice page. Please remember to clear your browsing data and cookies when you change your cookies preferences. This will remove all cookies previously placed on your browser.

For more detailed information about the cookies we use, or how to clear your browser cookies data see our Cookies Notice

Manage consent preferences

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems.

They are essential for you to browse the website and use its features.

You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. We can’t identify you from these cookies.

Functional Cookies

These help us personalise our sites for you by remembering your preferences and settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers, whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, then these services may not function properly.

Performance Cookies

These cookies allow us to count visits and see where our traffic comes from, so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are popular and see how visitors move around the site. The cookies cannot directly identify any individual users.

If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site and will not be able to improve its performance for you.

Marketing Cookies

These cookies may be set through our site by social media services or our advertising partners. Social media cookies enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They can track your browser across other sites and build up a profile of your interests. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to see or use the content sharing tools.

Advertising cookies may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but work by uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will still see ads, but they won’t be tailored to your interests.

APPLY

Choosing what to study

What is STEM?

STEM subjects are some of the most sought-after degrees from employers. Learn about STEM subjects and what careers a STEM degree can lead to.

APPLYING TO UNIVERSITY CHOOSING A COURSE POSTGRADUATE UNDERGRADUATE

Philip Circuit 01 Nov 2023

Bookmark article

Student with teacher looking at engineering plans

What is STEM?
What are STEM subjects?
Why study STEM subjects?
What careers can STEM subjects lead to?
What are the entry requirements for STEM subjects?
Funding for STEM subjects
Advice on studying a STEM subject

What is STEM?

STEM stands for Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics. It represents the group of subjects that fall within these four areas of study. STEM education focuses on practical learning, to develop the necessary skills in students so they’re prepared for the rapidly-developing real world.

What are STEM subjects?

STEM subjects are any subjects that can be classified under the disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics. Common STEM subjects include:

Why study STEM subjects?

Learn from leading researchers and professors

While studying a STEM subject you’ll work on different research projects and be exposed to what’s currently being studied within your chosen field. Many universities employ world-class researchers within many STEM disciplines, giving you the opportunity to develop skills from those with vast experience and knowledge.

Growing demand for STEM graduates

The rise of technology and innovation in the modern world has increased the need for graduates with a STEM degree. New industries are developing all the time within STEM which has not only required more STEM-educated people, but has also created new jobs such as security analysts and data scientists. Some of the world’s fastest growing industries, such as artificial intelligence, software development and data analysis, are grounded in STEM subjects.

Develop transferable skills to everyday life

You’ll learn invaluable skills that translate into all areas of life. These will include problem-solving, analytical reasoning and collaboration – all of which you’ll employ in your day-to-day living. You’ll have the chance to really hone these through collaborative research projects and real-world scenarios, whether through uni projects or work experience.

You get to be creative

Many STEM subjects are heavily analytical and can be grounded in numbers and data. But you’ll find that many of these subjects will also need your creative brain. You’ll be presented with scenarios that require you to think outside the box.

Increasing investment in STEM

The Campaign for Science and Engineering have recently set out plans to increase STEM funding. This will involve the UK Government heavily investing in research and development efforts to attract more STEM graduates. This investment will see more employment opportunities for those who’ve studied a STEM subject.

What careers can STEM subjects lead to?

The breadth of courses that fall under STEM subjects means that you shouldn’t be short of career options. Depending on what you choose to study you could become a marine biologist, an aerospace engineer or even a game designer. The demand for STEM graduates also means that graduate-level jobs are often well-paying.

Mimi Nwosu is one graduate making the most of her STEM degree. Having earned a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Portsmouth, she currently works as an Assistant Materials Engineer at Sir Robert McAlpine. In June, Mimi was named as one of the 2021 Top 50 Women in Engineering by The Guardian and the Women's Engineering Society.

We chatted with Mimi about her experience of studying a STEM subject at uni and how that's lead to her current career:

What are the entry requirements for STEM subjects?

Entry requirements will vary based on what STEM subject you apply for and where you choose to study.

A Levels

At least one science-based A Level will be needed for most science courses. Some courses will require two, with a minimum grade ranging from A to B. A Maths A Level is a minimum requirement for most Technology, Engineering and Maths courses. You may also need a science-based A Level.

BTECs

Science-based STEM degrees will require a science-based BTEC, while engineering-based degrees ask that you have an engineering-based BTEC. Technology or Maths degrees will want you to have completed a Maths or science-based BTEC. A Maths or science-based A Level may be needed for higher-entry courses.

GCSEs

A minimum grade C/4 for each of your GCSEs will be needed, with at least two of these being English and Maths. Courses with higher entry requirements will want one of your GCSEs to be in a science-based subject, often with a minimum grade of A/7 or B/6.

International Baccalaureate

You’ll need a Maths and/or specific science-based Higher Level for most STEM degrees. A minimum grade of 5 or 6 for each Higher Level will be specified.

Scottish Higher

Most STEM degrees will ask that you’ve studied Maths and/or a specific science-based subject. A minimum grade for each is sometimes specified, depending on how limited places on the course are.

Funding for STEM subjects

As with non-STEM degrees you’ll be able to apply for a student loan to cover your tuition fees. This can be applied for through the student finance company of whichever UK nation you’re from. Below you’ll find further details on student finance if:

As well as general scholarships, bursaries and grants available to both undergraduate and postgraduate students, some are specifically available to students studying a STEM degree:

Amazon Future Engineer Bursary: to support female students from low-income households that are applying for Computer Science or a similar Engineering course at a UK university.
Engineering Leaders Scholarships: to support undergraduate students pursuing an Engineering course at a UK university.
Institute of Civil Engineers QUEST: offer a range of scholarships for those students pursuing a Civil Engineering degree.
Institution of Mechanical Engineers: offer an array of different undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships and awards for students pursuing a Mechanical Engineering degree.
Royal Aeronautical Society Centennial Scholarships Fund: to support postgraduate students in their final year of an Aerospace or Aeronautical Engineering master’s, or a related aviation-based master’s.

Many universities now also offer scholarships specifically for students wishing to pursue a postgraduate degree in a STEM subject. You can find a full list of these on the university’s website.