Educational pathways into jobs in the tech sector are critical for the UK economy, as well as for social mobility. The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) have undertaken an analysis of national education and employment data to understand the tech talent pipeline in England. A summary report of their findings, alongside a longer technical report, are linked at the bottom of the page. Their reports explore how different educational pathways have historically supported entry into the tech workforce, including to what extent different GCSE choices, Level 3 qualifications including A Levels and apprenticeships, and undergraduate degrees are associated with tech employment and higher earnings. The reports also look at disparities between different groups (by gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic disadvantage) within the education pipeline, as well as within the tech sector.  

Key findings include: 

• Studying tech subjects, at every level of education, has a strong pay-off for individuals.  

• Choosing A Level Computer Science (formerly ICT), either with a Maths and / or science A Level, are an effective route into a tech degree, working in the tech industry and achieving higher early career earnings. 

• Those doing tech degrees and vocational qualifications had lower prior attainment on average at age 16. Yet earnings at age 28 tend to be above average amongst those that studied tech subjects. 

• Studying Maths and science degrees also offers significant pay-off in terms of future earnings. 

• Participation and progression remain unequal according to gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic background.  

This report is one output from a broader research programme, funded by The Hg Foundation and conducted by the NFER. Other reports in the series are:  

• A narrowing pipeline? What changes in UK tech hiring might tell us about future opportunities in the sector. 

• UK tech hiring in transition? The current state of play and where future opportunities might lie.  

• Past, Present, Future: The Tech Talent Pipeline. Summary of Research and Implications for Access to Tech Employment.