Engineering shapes the world around us - from the homes we live in, to the transport we use, to the technology we rely on daily. But despite the far-reaching impact of the profession, the people designing those solutions still don’t reflect the diversity of the society they serve.
Currently, just 16.5% of engineers in the UK are women. That’s a problem. Not just for women, but for the future of engineering itself.
At NMITE, we believe things need to change -and we’re actively working to change them.
Why does gender diversity in engineering matter?
Diversity in engineering isn’t just a tick-box exercise - it directly affects the quality, relevance, and accessibility of the solutions we create.
Because if the people designing the world don’t reflect the diversity of those living in it, vital perspectives are missed.
Take something as simple — and essential — as a sanitary bin on an aeroplane. For decades, aircraft were designed without considering how or where menstruating passengers would dispose of products hygienically. Why? Because the teams designing them didn’t have to think about it.
It’s a small detail with big implications. And it’s far from an isolated case.
The same goes for:
- Car safety tests that primarily used crash-test dummies modelled on average male bodies – putting women at greater risk in collisions.
- Voice recognition tech that struggled to understand higher-pitched voices.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) designed for male proportions, making it unsafe or ill-fitting for women on construction or engineering sites.
These aren’t just oversights - they’re symptoms of an engineering workforce that doesn’t yet represent the full range of human experience. And that matters, especially when those oversights impact health, safety, comfort, and inclusion.
When more women are involved in designing solutions, those solutions get better for everyone.
Because engineering isn’t just about logic and numbers - it’s about empathy, usability, and making life work well for real people in real situations.
The barriers that still exist
There’s no single reason why women remain underrepresented in engineering, but the barriers start early:
- Lack of exposure to STEM role models
- Cultural expectations and outdated career advice
- A-level subject requirements that exclude or discourage
- Environments where women feel isolated or unsupported
- A perception that engineering is “not for them”
It’s time we dismantled those barriers -one by one.
What NMITE is doing differently
We’ve designed NMITE from the ground up to do education differently - and inclusion is central to everything we do.
Here’s how we’re helping to change the face of engineering:
- No A level Maths or Physics required
We look at potential, not just past results. We teach what you need to know and meet learners where they are. - Hands-on learning, real-world relevance
Our students learn by doing - not sitting in lecture theatres. This practical, team-based approach makes learning more engaging, and more inclusive. - STEPS programme
From pre-arrival to graduation and beyond, our Support, Transition, Education, Progression, Success programme ensures students feel seen, supported and set up to succeed - whoever they are, and wherever they’ve come from. - EmpowerHER
Our campaign to support and inspire more women into engineering - backed by industry partners, real investment, and student-led storytelling. - Visible role models
Our leadership team, faculty, and student ambassadors include talented women who are driving change and showing future engineers what’s possible.
Building a more inclusive future
Change doesn’t happen overnight. But by building a learning environment that champions diversity and equity from the start, we’re helping more women see themselves not just as future engineers -but as the ones shaping the future of the profession.
Want to be part of the change?
Explore our degrees or find out more about EmpowerHER – and help us engineer a future that includes everyone.
👉 Learn more about NMITE
👉 Explore EmpowerHER
