Enrolment In Computing Degree Courses In Britain Increases

Uploaded on 2023-08-24 in JOBS-Education & Training, FREE TO VIEW

In 2023 there have been more than 26K students accepted into UK computing-related degrees, such as Computer Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Information Technology (IT). This marks an increase of more than 3,000 compared to pre-Covid level in 2019.

Computing remains a male-dominated field, with only 18% of all UK 18-year-olds applications made by females, although this is higher than previous numbers. This is the highest number of women on record are to start computing degrees in September, according to figures released by The Chartered Institute for IT.

The data comes after ONS research found that the number of women in technology roles had declined by 3,000 during the second quarter of the year compared to the first few months. But there has been an 11 per cent increase in the number of 18-year-old women doing computing degrees in comparison to 2022, said BCS.

A-level computing also witnessed a sharp rise this year, up 16.7% from 15,693 entries in 2022 to 18,306 in 2023, suggesting that computing subjects are becoming a more appealing study area as students and school leavers consider careers in tech.

Increasing the uptake of computing subjects in schools has become a key priority for both the UK government and devolved administrations in recent years. In Scotland, for example, the devolved government pledged more than £1.3 million in funding last year to support computing science, enabling schools from primary level upward to purchase additional equipment, devices, and teaching materials.

This comes against a backdrop of growing concern over the country’s growing digital skills gap. The UK tech sector has been contending with a marked gap in recent years which industry figures have warned has the potential to impede long-term growth.

A-level Results: Bridging the Gender Divide

2023 figures revealed that more female students are taking computing courses at A-level, with a 17.6% increase recorded compared to last year. This increase follows consistent growth since 2019, with analysis showing that the number of female students has risen by 87.6%.

Despite this, however, female students still remain outnumbered in these subjects, and are 15.1% of the total number of computing students. However, the number of young women taking computer science degrees is growing faster than for any other UK university subject, new figures show.

Computing degrees have seen a 23% growth in accepted applications from women since 2019; according to new analysis by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. This is a higher percentage rise than for any other university admissions subject group. The increase is particularly marked amongst 18-year old women taking computing at university, up by 47% between 2019 and 2022, BCS found. The growth rate for 18-year old men over the same period was far lower, at 29%.

Uptake In Computing Degrees

Broader awareness of computing subjects and tech-related career prospects could be driving the uptake among students at both A-level and beyond. Recent analysis from the British Computer Society (BCS) found that interest in emerging technologies is also playing a role in driving uptake.

The organisation found that interest in computing degrees has been growing at a faster rate than other university courses, which is in part due to the recent excitement surrounding generative AI.

92,980 students applied for places on computing degrees in the UK this year, marking a 9.6% rise compared to the previous year. AI and data analytics were specifically highlighted with many students considering careers in these emerging fields.

A 2022 Report from BCS and Coding Black Females also revealed that more than 20,000 black women were “missing” from the IT industry. The study found that while Black women make up 1.8 per cent of the UK workforce, they only make up 0.7 per cent of IT professionals.

Conclusion

All professional roles require you to rely on skills beyond those you've studied, but a computer science degree also develops your logical capabilities, your attention to detail and your teamwork skills.

This improves your employment prospects going forwards and benefits your long-term career development.

A quarter of UK businesses (25%) named AI focused degrees as the most valued in 2023
Two in five employees surveyed (40%) deemed AI expertise to be the most in-demand skill in the UK job market
Information technology (IT) remains a highly desirable degree, with a fifth of employers (21%) saying it is the most valued
Computer science is the third most valued degree by British employers (18%)
Medicine and dentistry took fifth spot, ranking behind tech degrees.

Computer science graduates have a high earning potential in many of their roles. This is because working in computer science means that you have a high level of specialised knowledge that only those with a computer science degree have.

Thanks to the high level of demand for computer experts in the labour market and the relatively low level of supply of computing experts, companies are willing to pay a premium to ensure they have access to the best talent possible.

IT Pro: IFA Magazine: UCAS: National Technology: BCS: Indeed: Image: Andrea Piacquadio

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