According to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), there has been a significant increase in the number of school-leavers opting to study computing courses.
The application data for this year revealed that 18-year-olds are increasingly inspired to pursue computing due to the rise of digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI), said Clare Marchant, the chief executive of UCAS.
Comparing to 2022, applications for computing courses saw an almost 10% surge, indicating a growing interest among students. However, while computing ranked as the seventh most popular area of higher education study, it was overshadowed by business and management, as well as design, creative and performing arts, which received more applications.
UCAS noted that computing-related courses have witnessed a consistent rise in applications since 2019. Among specific disciplines, software engineering experienced the steepest increase with a 16% rise compared to the previous year, followed by an 11% increase in computer science. Applications for computer games and animation saw a 2% rise, while artificial intelligence (AI) attracted a 4% increase.
The increased interest in computing courses can be attributed, in part, to the growing public conversation surrounding technology and AI, according to Ms. Marchant. She highlighted that changes in the world often result in increased demand for certain courses, citing the post-2008 rise in economics applications and the surge in medicine and nursing applications during the Covid-19 pandemic as examples.
Chris Derrick, deputy headteacher at Kelvinside Academy in Glasgow, mentioned that current computing course applicants are “digital natives” who have honed their skills from a young age, utilizing powerful tech daily. He emphasized that programming knowledge has become easily accessible through platforms like YouTube and ChatGPT, enabling students to explore their passions and learn at their own pace with the help of online resources.
While discussions have predominantly focused on which jobs may be replaced by AI, there is also a growing number of employment opportunities in AI, data science, software design, and computing technologies.
UCAS also reported an increase in applications from 18-year-olds from the most disadvantaged backgrounds. However, computing as a subject remains male-dominated, with only 18% of applications coming from female students. Although there has been a slight increase from the previous years (17% in 2022 and 16% in 2021), efforts are needed to further encourage female participation in computing courses.
The total number of UK 18-year-old applicants reached over 319,500, making it the second-highest number recorded, albeit slightly lower than the previous year.
Rashik Parmar, CEO of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, commented that UK teenagers are aware of the transformative potential of AI and its impact on the world, hence the soaring demand for computing degrees does not come as a surprise.
Vanessa Wilson from the University Alliance, an association of British universities, suggested that the recent surge in public interest in AI may have contributed to the increased popularity of computing courses. She further added that students’ desire to acquire future-proof skills also plays a role in driving this trend.
