What are the differences between Male and Female Favourite Universities in the UK? While university selection depends on various factors like academic reputation, location, and cost, gender also plays a role in shaping students’ choices. Research suggests that men and women often prioritize different aspects when selecting a university, such as career prospects, social environment, and field of study.
The Higher Education Statistics Agency, or HESA, reports that 2.86 million students currently attend UK universities, with 1.63 million of them being female and 1.22 million being male. 57 percent of the population is female, meaning that there are more females than males! So, do men and women have different preferences when it comes to which UK university to attend? Which are the top universities in the UK for women? This article explores the key differences between male and female favourite universities and the reasons behind these choices.
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Factors Influencing University Preferences
Choosing a university is a significant decision influenced by various academic, social, and personal factors. While every student has unique priorities, certain key elements play a crucial role in shaping university preferences.
1. Academic Interests and Program Strengths
Students often choose universities that offer top-tier programs in their desired field of study. Institutions known for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) may attract more male students, while universities excelling in humanities, social sciences, and healthcare often appeal to female students.
2. Reputation and Rankings
Global and national university rankings impact student choices, with top-ranked institutions like the University of Edinburgh, King’s College London, and the University of Manchester consistently attracting applicants. Reputation for faculty expertise, research opportunities, and graduate success also plays a role.
3. Location and Campus Environment
Urban universities provide access to internships, networking opportunities, and cultural diversity, while rural or suburban campuses may offer a more peaceful and community-driven atmosphere. Proximity to home can also be a deciding factor.
4. Cost and Financial Aid
Tuition fees, living expenses, and scholarship opportunities significantly affect decision-making. Many students opt for universities that offer better financial aid packages or lower overall costs.
5. Career Prospects and Alumni Network
Universities with strong career placement programs, internship opportunities, and alumni networks are highly attractive. Students prioritize institutions that offer a higher return on investment through job placements and salary potential.
6. Campus Culture and Extracurricular Activities
A university’s social environment, student organizations, sports teams, and inclusivity policies influence preferences. Some students prefer institutions with a vibrant campus life, while others seek a more academic-focused experience.
7. Diversity and Inclusivity
Students may choose universities that align with their values, such as those with strong diversity initiatives, gender equality programs, and support for international students.
Ultimately, university preferences are shaped by a mix of academic, financial, and personal factors, ensuring students select institutions that best align with their goals and aspirations.
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Male and Female Favourite Universities in the UK?
Top 5 Universities for Males
Compared to girls choosing a school, boys may pay more attention to practical issues such as a school’s professional strengths and job prospects, university rankings, and location.
1. University of Manchester
- Total Students: 46,410
- Male Students: 20,095
The University of Manchester is the largest single-site institution in the United Kingdom and one of the six red-brick universities. It consistently ranks as the most popular institution in the UK with students. In addition, UMass is the second-largest university in the United Kingdom to create the world’s second-most current leaders, after Oxford University. As a result, the University of Manchester is well-known both domestically and abroad.
Among the top universities in the world, the University of Manchester is well known for its physics department, which has produced 13 Nobel Prize winners among its graduates. The world’s first electronic memory program computer was created in the Department of Computer Science, which has a noteworthy past as well. Unquestionably, one of the main reasons the University of Manchester attracts boys is its various beneficial majors, including science and engineering.
2. University College London
- Total Students: 46,830
- Male Students: 18,325
Over the years, students have widely acknowledged UCL, the first university in London, for its strengths in academics, location, reputation, overall rankings, and the whole student experience. Similar to Imperial College, UCL has remained extremely steady and consistently ranked in the top ten in the QS World University Rankings. Boys can also select from a variety of science and engineering specialties at UCL.
The earliest professors of civil, mechanical, chemical, and electrical engineering in the United Kingdom were born at UCL’s School of Engineering, which has a long and distinguished history. Furthermore, there is a significant presence of the university’s Bartlett School of Architecture. According to the 2023 QS World University Rankings for Architecture and the Built Environment, it is unquestionably ranked #1 in the world!
3. Nottingham Trent University
- Total Students: 41,465
- Male Students: 18,990
Originally the Nottingham Government Public School of Art, Nottingham Trent University has been around since 1843. In 1992, it was given full university status and started to accept students from other countries. According to the Times, one of the top modern universities for 2023 is Nottingham Trent University. With a significant emphasis on the student experience and a campus with first-rate facilities, its curriculum is heavily centered on employability.
Nottingham Trent University, which comes in third on the list of the most popular undergraduate institutions in the UK, is highly well-known regionally. The degree of student satisfaction at the university is excellent. The university excels in the fields of business, social sciences, design and innovation, agriculture, and food security.
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4. Coventry University
- Total Students: 38,190
- Male Students: 19,235
Coventry University has many very beneficial specializations, despite its low overall ranking. Business and management, medical-related occupations, engineering and technology, electrical and mechanical engineering, and computer science, for instance, are the most popular subjects at Coventry University. These are all science and technology subjects that are preferred by men. The first British car was created in Coventry, the school’s location, in 1896. Coventry has long been a hub of engineering excellence in the United Kingdom.
Because of this, Coventry University is well known throughout the world for its automotive specialties; in fact, automotive engineering and design is ranked first in the UK and third worldwide. Additionally, Coventry University is in a great location with easy access to transportation. It is conveniently located just 20 minutes from Birmingham and an hour’s drive from London.
5. University of the West of England
- Total Students: 37,170
- Male students: 17,035
One of the biggest and most well-known comprehensive universities in the United Kingdom was established in 1595 and is called the University of the West of England. It boasts three campuses in Bristol and is known for its top-notch instruction. The university boasts the first AI robotics lab in the UK and the second largest in Europe. Bristol was the first city in the United Kingdom to be named the European Green Capital.
Bristol has an international airport, two national train stations, and a coach station, making it conveniently accessible by public transportation. The University of the West of England has one of the largest paid internship programs in the UK, with over 9,000 industry placements annually, which can help graduates.
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Top 5 Universities for Females
In addition to academic standing and subject of study, ladies are more interested in campus location and atmosphere than males are in their educational experience.
1. University College London
- Total Students: 46830
- Female Students: 28455
UCL has topped the list of “Girls’ Favourite UK Universities” for a number of reasons.
First off, UCL is home to the most students in the United Kingdom! More than 46,000 students from more than 150 nations and regions attend UCL, which includes 11 colleges.
Second, girls are drawn to the wide range of specializations that UCL provides. For instance, girls rank education as one of their top six favorite subjects. For ten years running, QS Education has ranked UCL as the top university in the UK and the globe in this category!
Thirdly, equality in education holds significant value for UCL. The school was founded in 1826 and has always believed that equality in education is a fundamental value that is especially safe for girls.
2. King’s College London
- Total Students: 41490
- Female students: 26455
King’s College London is an institution that prioritizes research. In terms of the range of courses it offers, KCL, the fourth-oldest university in England, is among the most extensive in the United Kingdom. KCL is fortunate to have a special geographic location in the heart of London. The Tower of London and Big Ben are only two of the numerous well-known landmarks and cultural attractions that surround the campus. Students can live and learn in a distinctive and stimulating environment thanks to these landmarks.
Along with the geographic benefit of being in the heart of London, KCL offers “humanities” courses that are particularly well-liked by female students. These include liberal arts courses like English language and literature and history, as well as social science courses like media, politics, and psychology.
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3. University of Manchester
- Total Students: 46410
- Female Students: 26305
The University of Manchester is the biggest single-site institution in the United Kingdom and one of the six red-brick universities. It consistently ranks as the most well-liked university in the UK among students. Only UCL is ranked higher than the University of Manchester among Chinese students’ top UK universities.
In terms of overall rankings, the University of Manchester is likewise thought to be a UK university that maintains a steady position. For the last ten years, it has held the 30th position in the QS World University Rankings. The University of Manchester’s strength is engineering. Additionally, the University of Manchester has advantages in fields that are more popular with girls, such as nursing, pharmacy and pharmacology, dentistry, and other medical specialties.
4. University of Glasgow
- Total Students: 42980
- Female Students: 25825
The University of Glasgow, a prominent public comprehensive university in the United Kingdom that is a member of the Russell Group of universities, is home to 60% female students. It is the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland’s four classical universities. In recent years, the University of Glasgow has been one of the most popular UK institutions for Chinese students. The university’s strengths include medicine, education, theatre, and performing arts—subjects that are popular with female students.
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5. University of Edinburgh
- Total Students: 41250
- Female Students: 25550
The University of Edinburgh, which has a solid reputation throughout Europe, is the sixth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and the highest-ranking university in Scotland, UK. The University of Edinburgh is one of the top six universities in the United Kingdom in terms of total enrollment. The large proportion of female students in Edinburgh—62 percent of all pupils—is one of the primary causes of this. Among the top 5 disciplines in the United Kingdom, Edinburgh boasts women’s favorite subjects, including biology, education, social sciences, and medicine!
Field of Study Preferences
When it comes to university choices, field of study preferences often vary based on academic interests, job market trends, and gender representation in different disciplines. Here’s how these preferences typically break down:
1. Male-Dominated Fields
- Engineering & Technology: Fields such as Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, and Electrical Engineering traditionally attract more male students due to their strong technical and analytical focus.
- Business & Finance: Subjects like Economics, Finance, and Business Administration often see higher male enrollment, driven by career prospects in corporate leadership and entrepreneurship.
- Mathematics & Physical Sciences: Mathematics, Physics, and Data Science remain strong choices among male students.
2. Female-Dominated Fields
- Healthcare & Life Sciences: Nursing, Medicine, and Psychology attract more female students due to their people-centered approach.
- Education & Social Sciences: Teaching, Sociology, and Human Resources have historically had a higher proportion of female students.
- Arts & Humanities: Literature, Media Studies, and Creative Arts see significant female participation.
3. Growing Gender Balance in Fields
With diversity initiatives, more women are entering STEM fields, while more men are exploring careers in humanities and education, leading to a shift in traditional gender trends in education.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do employment rates differ for male and female graduates in the UK?
While overall employment rates are similar, male graduates are more likely to enter high-paying STEM and finance roles, while female graduates dominate healthcare, education, and social sciences.
2. Do men and women have different university dropout rates in the UK?
Studies suggest that male students have slightly higher dropout rates compared to female students, often due to differences in academic engagement and career motivations.
3. Which UK universities have the most balanced male-to-female student ratios?
Universities like UCL, Durham, and Exeter tend to have a near-equal gender ratio, offering diverse programs that attract both male and female students equally.
4. How does gender representation in leadership roles at UK universities affect student preferences?
Universities with more female faculty members and leadership roles often attract a higher proportion of female students due to increased representation and support structures.
5. Are there scholarships specifically aimed at encouraging gender diversity in UK universities?
Yes, many scholarships, such as those for women in STEM and men in nursing or education, aim to bridge gender gaps in certain academic fields.
In conclusion, understanding the differences between Male and Female Favourite Universities in the UK offers valuable insights into academic trends, career aspirations, and evolving gender dynamics in education. While historical patterns have shown distinct inclinations toward certain fields of study, the gap is gradually narrowing as universities promote diversity and inclusivity across disciplines. Encouraging equal opportunities in STEM, humanities, and business-related fields ensures that students can pursue their passions without gender-based limitations.
As industries evolve and demand shifts, both male and female students are exploring non-traditional career paths, further challenging outdated stereotypes. The future of higher education in the UK will likely see a more balanced and diversified student body, leading to richer academic environments and a more inclusive workforce. Ultimately, choosing the right university should be based on personal goals, interests, and academic strengths rather than societal norms, ensuring a fulfilling and successful career journey for all students.