The Hidden Gender Gap
Why do equally qualified female students apply to elite universities less often than males — even in a gender-blind admission system? A new study co-authored by WZB researchers reveals that although China’s university admissions are based solely on exam scores, social factors such as parental expectations and gender stereotypes continue to influence students’ choices, resulting in a hidden gender gap. Addressing these deep-rooted sociocultural influences is crucial for achieving genuine gender equality in higher education.
A recent study by Yi Han (School of Applied Economics, Renmin University of China), Dorothea Kübler and Yiming Liu (WZB Berlin Social Science Center), Xinye Zheng (School of Applied Economics, Renmin University of China), and Yibo Zong (Renmin University of China) reveals a significant gender gap in China’s university admission system – despite its gender-blind design based solely on highly competitive Gaokao exam scores. While the system treats men and women equally on paper, equally qualified female students are substantially less likely to apply to and be admitted to elite universities than their male counterparts.
The research shows that this disparity is not due to differences in academic ability, confidence, or competitiveness, but rather rooted in social factors – particularly parental expectations and ingrained gender stereotypes. Female students tend to prioritize universities closer to home and prefer education-focused programs over STEM or other high-reward disciplines, reflecting perceived parental preferences. The gender gap in applications and admissions is largest among students who strongly endorse traditional gender stereotypes, whereas it disappears among those with weaker stereotypical beliefs.
These findings emphasize that gender-neutral admissions policies alone cannot guarantee equal representation if broader sociocultural pressures continue to influence students’ decisions. The study calls for targeted interventions to address these social expectations and stereotypes to effectively close the gender gap in elite university admissions.
14/05/25 LG