More females are gaining admission to national universities than males, over the past few years.

According to Higher Education Ministry's latest analysis on university admissions for the year 2009-2010, 12,531 (58.92%) females were selected to universities, as against 9,016 (41.08%) males. In the previous years a similar trend has been observed.

In 2008 -2009, of the 20,846 students who gained admission, 12,017 (57.07%) were females and 8,829 (42.03%) were males, Higher Education Ministry Students’ Affairs Director Keerthi Mawellage said.

In 2008-2009, of the 6,693 students selected for the Arts faculties, 5,179 (77.04%) were females while only 1,514 (22.06%) males were selected. However, in the same period, the trend was different in other faculties.

Of the 4,337 selected for the Commerce faculty, 2,388 (55.00%) were females, while 1,949 (45.00%) were males. Of the 5,323 selected for Biology, 3,339 (62.07%) were females and 1,984 (37.03%) males.

For Physical Science there were more male students during that academic year, with 3,382 entrants (75.03%) and 1,111 (24.07%) females.

In 2007-2008, of the 20,069 selected, 11,584 (57.72%) were females and 8,485 (43.28%) were males.

Mr. Mawellage said the analysis showed that many males opted for early employment and enlisted in other educational programmes or followed professional courses, instead of following a Degree programme.