TIGA: UK exam results good for games industry

TIGA has said that it is encouraged by the 2010 GCSE and A-level exam results in the UK.

The body noted an increase in good grades in mathematics and physics across the board, but also called the decline in students taking computing-related topics at A-level “worrying”.

“The GCSE results are generally positive but the Government must continue to focus on driving up standards in key subjects such as mathematics and physics,” said TIGA CEO Dr Richard Wilson.

“GCSEs are the springboard for progression to A level and degree subjects.”

On A-level results, Wilson gave a mixed response. Having celebrated the grounding better maths and physics results would give to students entering the development industry, he pointed out trends he percieved as concerning.

“The under-representation of females in disciplines such as computing (at A-level) limits the potential supply of skilled computer scientists available for work in the games industry,” he said.

“Males are more than ten times more likely than females to take A-Level computing. In the long term, this gender imbalance contributes to the skills shortage problem.”