IWD 2025: Online learning can help fill the gender gap in STEM

While the volume of conversations around increasing the number of women in STEM is certainly high, the reality is at odds with this. The Institution of Engineering and Technology found that UK women only make up 29% of the STEM workforce across all industries. Only 8% could name any woman who has made a significant contribution to STEM. In 2025, this simply is not enough. We collectively need to address the barriers to entry and provide opportunities for women to enter the STEM workforce at any age.

Online learning presents a viable solution; helping to scale new opportunities and reducing the gender gap. Here are four ways they help to do this. 

Flexibility in building knowledge

In the UK education system, you essentially have to choose your career path at a young age. And then you largely have to stick with it.

Higher education is a case in point: you choose (and have to pay for) one subject area, which tends to narrow career options post-degree or qualification. But what if the career prospects aren't there after you have finished studies? What if you fall out of love with the subject and want to move to something else? Then, how can you look to re-skill to develop a different career?

Online learning platforms help bridge this by providing a way for people to re-skill and re-learn.

Online learners today have the chance to break these barriers and consider learning more than one STEM subject based on interest and actual need. It offers an opportunity to explore everything from mathematics to computer science, without having to narrowly commit and "stick with" only one niche area. In short: it helps to build a passion for STEM, while giving greater career flexibility.

An inclusive learning environment

Nearly a third (32%) of women said that they are put off by how male dominated STEM industries are. The same is true when it comes to getting qualified to become a STEM professional.

Online learning platforms are increasingly aware of the need for inclusivity. Many have designed courses, content, and even access to female STEM tutors who can share invaluable industry guidance, and who equally realise the importance of gender diversity within these industries.

Flexible and personalised learning

Perhaps one of the more important advantages offered by online learning platforms is flexibility and tailored experiences.

Everyone learns differently, and at varying speeds. Some people may easily sail past a particular issue or aspect while others may struggle to overcome it. It therefore stands to reason that the more a tutor can understand their student's unique needs, the better the learning experience.

Most education formats simply don't offer this — in school, you are one of thirty or more in the classroom. At university, that ratio is even bigger. These are institutions that fundamentally cannot handle personalised learning.

Tutoring is the opposite: by design it is 1:1, allowing the tutor to precisely understand and help with a student's specific needs, even on a granular level. And for those looking to re-skill, it includes better balancing between your education and other personal or professional commitments.

Easy access to learning

Teaching has always been analogue — a student individual has to physically come to a building at a particular time in order to access learning. Like how digital technology has changed nearly everything in our lives, so too has it transformed the way we learn.

Online learning platforms have broken down geographical and time constraints, allowing greater flexibility. This means that students can access experts around the world, and learn from the comfort of their home. It has democratised learning, and helped more people to access knowledge they may not have been able to in a pre-digital world.

For encouraging women into STEM, online learning provides a fantastic vehicle to allow them to explore that world without having to have previously made a major commitment — effectively removing barriers to entry.

Unlock education, unlock the future

While female representation in STEM is still poor and in need of drastic improvement, there is a pathway to achieving this. And it lies in education.

Online learning helps to break down the barriers by encouraging people to learn without having to have made significant, often life-changing, decisions along with a significant financial investment.

If we keep up the call to arms to encourage more women to work in STEM, and combine this with easier access to learning, then we can hopefully quickly see greater diversity and inclusivity across the board. And not only will we see more equal representation — but there will also be greater celebration of the amazing and significant contributions women have made to STEM.