Leiden has highest percentage female first year students Physics & Astronomy
The bachelor education programmes of Physics and Astronomy in Leiden combined have the highest percentage female first year students in The Netherlands, according to numbers published by the Dutch Journal of Physics.
With over 27 percent, the percentage of female first year Physics & Astronomy students in Leiden lies four percentage points higher than in Amsterdam, which occupies second place. Also in absolute terms, Leiden attracts the highest number of girls. This year, 56 girls started one of both Leiden studies. That is more than ever in Leiden, and fifteen more than at runner-up Groningen University.
Also for the total number of students, the Leiden Institute of Physics and Leiden Observatory break all records. For the first time in history, this number hits the 200 ceiling, with a total of 201 first year registrations. In this case, Leiden occupies second place. Only Delft scores higher with 275 first year Applied Physics students. With respect to a decade ago, registrations in Leiden have almost quadrupled: from 53 in 2008 to 201 in 2017.
The popularity of Physics and Astronomy is visible nationwide. Also on the national level, 2017 brings three records. There are more first year students than at any other point in history, doubling the total of 2008. There are also more girls than ever: 259. This is three times the number of nine years ago. Also percentage-wise, this year reaches a record of new female Physics & Astronomy students. With 19.9% they break last year’s record of 19.6%.
