Rising demand for AI courses in UK universities shows 453% growth as students adapt to an AI-driven job market
The demand for artificial intelligence courses in UK universities has surged dramatically over the past five years, with enrollments increasing by 453%, according to a recent study by Currys, a UK tech retailer.
The study, which analyzed UK university admissions data and surveyed current students and recent graduates, reveals how the growing influence of AI is shaping students' educational choices and career paths.
This growth reflects the broader trend of AI integration across industries, creating new opportunities while transforming traditional roles. With AI’s influence on career prospects rising, students and graduates are increasingly drawn to AI-related courses to stay competitive in a rapidly changing job market.
Enrollment trends in AI courses and gender disparities
In 2022/23, a total of 6,670 men and 2,265 women enrolled in AI courses, marking a 427% increase in male enrollments and a substantial 521% increase for women since 2017/18.
While male students represent a larger portion of total enrollments, the rise in female participation in AI courses is notable, indicating that more women are entering the AI field than ever before.
Tthe number of universities offering AI courses has grown significantly. In 2017/18, only 29 universities offered AI-related programs. By 2022/23, this number had nearly tripled, with 84 universities across the UK now providing AI courses.
Influence of AI on career choices and job prospects
The study also surveyed 1,000 students and recent graduates, uncovering the extent to which AI is impacting career paths. Over 30% of respondents reported that the emergence of AI influenced their chosen field of study, while 63% believed that AI has improved their chances of career success.
Students are increasingly interested in technology-focused fields that leverage AI rather than those at risk of being disrupted by it. Programs such as Information Technology, Business Computing, and Software Engineering saw the largest enrollment increases, growing by 3514%, 2384%, and 265%, respectively. These fields offer career prospects in roles like machine learning engineer, AI software developer, and robotic process automation (RPA) engineer, which benefit from AI advancements.
Top universities for AI course enrollments
Enrollment data highlights the UK universities leading in AI-related courses. The University of Hull ranks highest, with 690 enrollments in AI programs in 2022/23, followed by the University of Edinburgh (405) and the University of Bradford (325). The growing interest indicates that students are prioritizing institutions with strong AI programs and reputations in technological education.
Top 20 UK universities for AI course enrollments (2022/23):
University of Hull – 690
University of Edinburgh – 405
University of Bradford – 325
University of Bath – 320
University of Surrey – 280
University of Liverpool – 270
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine – 255
University of Sheffield – 240
University of Sussex – 215
Loughborough University – 210
Anglia Ruskin University – 195
Teesside University – 185
University College London – 185
University of Hertfordshire – 185
University of Nottingham – 170
City, University of London – 165
Robert Gordon University – 145
University of Birmingham – 145
University of Gloucestershire – 140
University of Leeds – 135
Decreased enrollments in traditional programs
While interest in AI and technology-driven fields has increased, some traditional courses have seen declining enrollments. For example, Language and Area Studies enrollments have dropped by 20%, a trend that may influenced by the availability of AI-driven language processing and translation tools that automate many aspects of these fields. Similarly, Education and Teaching programs saw an 11% decline.
Media, Journalism, and Communications programs also recorded a slight decrease of 7% in enrollments, as AI-generated content becomes more prevalent.
Shifting landscape of education and careers
The evolving role of AI in education is reshaping students' perceptions of career stability and opportunities in various fields. As AI technologies become essential in industry, UK universities are adapting by expanding their offerings in AI and tech-focused courses. For students, these programs present a path to careers aligned with the increasing demand for AI proficiency and technological innovation.
