Revealing the Gender Gap in HUMSS UK University Admissions

The Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) have historically attracted more women and girls. HUMSS includes subjects such as English, Psychology, History and Sociology, and while many pursue these fields out of genuine interest in human culture, society, and behaviour, this trend has also been influenced by historical, gendered barriers that limited access to STEM fields.

Research shows that the shaping of these patterns starts far earlier than university applications or career choices. From childhood, gendered expectations often influence the activities children are encouraged to pursue—such as girls being more likely to bake while boys learn to fix a bicycle, or daughters steered away from tools while sons are discouraged from playing with dolls. These early experiences play a significant role in shaping perceptions of what is "appropriate" for each gender, long before teenagers begin planning their futures.

What are the results of these stereotypes in higher education? 

Our recent study, analysing university applications and acceptance rates by gender, uncovered a surprising and concerning trend. Women’s applications to HUMSS programs at UK universities consistently outnumber those of men. Yet, paradoxically, our research reveals that in a significant number of instances, men see higher acceptance rates despite showing significantly less interest in these fields.

The question is, why are men still favoured over women for these courses? And, on the flip side, what’s stopping more men from applying? This isn’t just about fairness in admissions; it’s also about breaking down stereotypes and creating opportunities for everyone to pursue their passions freely. Whether you’re someone who loves the arts, history, or sociology, the key takeaway here is that we need to be challenging outdated ideas and make room for talent and curiosity, regardless of gender.

More women apply to HUMSS courses than men across UK universities

Our recent analysis of admissions data from 20 of the UK’s leading universities revealed a clear trend: women are significantly more likely to apply for Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) courses than men. This trend held true across all universities in the study, highlighting a consistent gender imbalance in HUMSS applications. Chiefly, the Universities of Greenwich, Derby, Coventry, Birmingham, and Leeds, all enjoyed much higher numbers of applications from women and girls.   

Interestingly, universities such as Bath, Oxford, St Andrews, De Montfort, and Durham recorded the highest number of male applicants to HUMSS courses. However, even at these institutions, women’s applications still outnumbered men. For instance, at the University of Bath—where male HUMSS applications were the highest—the gender gap was still significant, with women submitting 18% more applications than men. 

The data underscores the strong appeal of HUMSS fields to female applicants, while also highlighting areas where gender diversity could be improved. HUMSS fields offer opportunities to study subjects that shape culture, society, and human interaction—areas where women are clearly interested in making their mark. However, it’s important that we invite more men to explore the career paths that these fields of study offer.

Men enjoy higher acceptance rates to HUMSS courses despite fewer applications

One concerning finding from our study is the disparity in acceptance rates between male and female applicants to HUMSS courses at several major UK universities. Despite women submitting significantly more applications, men often enjoy higher acceptance rates. For example, at De Montfort University, women submitted nearly 33% more applications for HUMSS courses than men. However, the acceptance rates favoured male applicants by 8.13%. Similarly, Lancaster University showed a 49.49% higher application rate from women, yet men were accepted at a rate over 3% higher.

This trend extended to other institutions, including the universities of Bath, Nottingham, and Coventry, where male applicants also benefited from higher acceptance rates despite women being the majority of applicants.

Should universities be pushing men to apply for HUMSS courses?

While our study highlighted gender disparities in acceptance rates to HUMSS courses, it also revealed another significant issue: the need to encourage more male students to consider humanities and social sciences. Just as initiatives promote women in STEM, universities must actively work to address the gender imbalance in HUMSS applications.

The University of Bath stands out for having some of the highest numbers of male applicants to HUMSS courses. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear why. Bath’s HUMSS offerings lean heavily into areas traditionally associated with male interest, such as economics and politics [1, 2]. These subjects often intersect with fields like business, technology, or applied sciences, requiring both quantitative and qualitative skills. This overlap can align the likes of politics with masculinity and separate it from traditional humanities due to its “competitiveness” and “aggressiveness” [3].

Interestingly, Bath’s HUMSS portfolio notably excludes courses associated with the arts, such as literature, history, performing arts, fine art, or philosophy. This distinct focus may explain their ability to attract more male applicants to humanities subjects.

It’s important to remember that HUMSS subjects are not inherently gendered, but societal stereotypes and biases often dictate interest. Subjects like philosophy, history, and literature are as valuable and intellectually rigorous as economics or politics, but they may not currently be marketed in a way that resonates with a male audience.

Encouraging more male applicants to HUMSS courses is a necessary step toward achieving true gender balance in education. Just as women are being welcomed into STEM fields, men must feel equally encouraged to explore the rich and rewarding opportunities within HUMSS. Universities can play a pivotal role in reshaping these perceptions by highlighting the versatility and value of these disciplines to all students. 

Constance Mantle, CEO of SaveMyExams, addresses persistent gender disparity in HUMSS applications

“Our findings highlight the significant impact social stigmas have on how individuals approach education and how they are accepted into it. Universities play a pivotal role in addressing these biases, not only by encouraging more male students to consider Humanities and Social Sciences courses but also by ensuring that all students, regardless of gender, feel like they can follow their true passions and interests. 

“Gender stereotypes hold no value in university courses, industries, or careers, and by fostering a more inclusive approach to education, we can create equal opportunities for everyone to contribute to shaping our culture, society, and future. Young people should be inspired to explore their interests freely and pursue what truly excites them—that’s the key to helping them reach their full potential."

Access further information

For more information, you can access the following resources:

• Inside Higher Ed

• Counting Atoms

• Why did I choose HUMSS?

For support with STEM examinations, SaveMyExams offers revision resources for GCSE, A Level, IGCSE, IB and AP students worldwide. Our teacher-written materials include revision notes, exam questions, past papers and flashcards, which support students to achieve the best grades possible.

Sources

1. The Week: Why are women less interested in politics than men?

2. Inomics: The Gender Ratio in Economics in 2022

3. Medium: Humanities is for girls, but Politics isn’t?

Methodology

Using figures from the UCAS Undergraduate End of Cycle Data Resource, SaveMyExams collated the number of applications and acceptances for humanities subjects at 20 of the top UK universities from 2019 - 2023. These were then filtered by male/female gender in order to establish the disparity.

UCAS only offers data on male/female applications so we cannot include any stats on gender-diverse applications.