Cultural inclinations towards studying mathematics and sciences

Abstract This article gathers the evidence of differential choices to study mathematics and science by different ethnic groups in English society. Recent collections of data on the ethnic origin of applicants to higher education confirm that different groups make different choices, with Asian and Chinese students choosing mathematics and science in greater proportions than their white peers. Black students also show such preferences, but are even more strongly attracted to the social sciences. The article then proceeds to discuss reasons for such variations, including such possible factors as implicit curriculum bias, social assumptions, learning styles, personality preferences and career intentions.