The number of women enrolling in science and technology degrees is steadily increasing, but it is still not sufficient to meet the high demand of the Spanish labour market. Pursuing a STEM degree (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) offers a more optimistic outlook in terms of employability, job stability, and higher wages. Moreover, companies in these sectors are calling for greater female representation in both their workforce and management positions—a trend that is also reflected in UPV classrooms.
This is not only a matter of equity, but also of efficiency and innovative capacity. Quite simply, if society sidelines women, it overlooks a substantial share of talent—further compounded by the fact that women tend to achieve higher academic results—and a different way of approaching and solving problems. Promoting STEM vocations among women is beneficial for society, as it helps accelerate and secure overall progress. Indeed, the global strategic landscape of technological relevance is also being shaped along these lines.
At present, women account for around 30% of students in STEM degrees across Spanish universities. In the case of the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), a more pronounced upward trend has been observed for several years. This is reflected in the overall proportion of women enrolled at UPV, which has increased from 35% in 2010 to 44% today. A closer look at STEM degrees confirms this positive evolution.
Data from the Gandia Campus
Female participation in degree programmes at the Gandia Campus has experienced a very positive evolution in recent years. Particularly noteworthy is the increase in traditionally male-dominated degrees, such as Telecommunications and Interactive Technologies, where the proportion of women has nearly doubled. Equally striking are the figures for Marine Sciences and Audiovisual Communication, where female participation is clearly predominant. These results reflect the impact of initiatives aimed at promoting STEM vocations and contribute to building a more diverse, innovative, and inclusive campus.
| Female participation in degree programmes at the Gandia Campus | 2010 | 2025 |
| Degree in Audiovisual Communication | 54 % | 67 % |
| Degree in Telecommunications | 22 % | 33 % |
| Degree in Environmental Sciences | 33 % | 52 % |
| Degree in Marine Sciences | — | 70 % |
| Degree in Interactive Technologies | 10 % | 22 % |
| Degree in Tourism | 75 % | 54 % |
Initiatives to foster vocations
Several factors lie behind this trend, including a more realistic perception of these degrees, efforts to address gender inequality in these fields, the need to counteract persistent stereotypes, and the increasing visibility of female role models, among others.
For years, the Universitat Politècnica de València has implemented a range of initiatives in this area, such as the Praktikum programme, in which the Gandia Campus also participates. The results are encouraging, as female student participation continues to rise.
Another example is Dones de Ciència, a project involving the creation of artistic murals in educational centres featuring women scientists who broke barriers to become leading references in their fields. There are already 49 murals across the Valencian Community, including one in the city of Gandia.
At the Gandia Campus, activities related to Women and Science are organised throughout the year, with particular emphasis around 11 February, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Among these initiatives, notable is the programme “Porte una científica al meu col·le” (“I bring a woman scientist to my school”), through which, over eight consecutive years, outreach and awareness activities have been carried out in early childhood, primary, secondary, upper secondary, vocational education, and adult education centres. The aim is to highlight the work of women scientists and engineers, bring these professions closer to students, and provide female role models through professionals working in scientific and technological fields.
In addition, the Gandia Campus hosts three murals dedicated to figures from the world of science and technology, including Ana Ramos, Clara Grima, Ana Delgado, and the Coral Barbas laboratory.
The progress achieved in recent years demonstrates that change is possible. Today, UPV offers scientific and engineering degrees in which women and men are more evenly represented—a key step towards a more diverse and inclusive science and technology landscape.