International Student Interest in UK Computing Degrees Drops 7% in 2025

Over the last years, there has been a substantial rise in applications for Computing degrees at UK universities. According to UCAS statistics, Computing acceptances have steadily increased each year to record numbers in 2023 and 2024. Computing has remained in the top ten subject choices for young people for seven years in a row, with Computer Science, Software Engineering, and Computer Games being among the most popular Computing fields that 18-year-old students have opted for every year. It is also worth noting that Computing remains one of the most in-demand subjects for degree choice in UK universities.

There has been a slightly reduced call for computing degree courses at UK institutions by 2025, but new research on the acceptances for computing degree courses at UCAS has been analysed by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT. Although the figures are substantial, new trends are emerging.

Overall Trends in UK Computing Undergraduate Courses

31,670 students from the UK were accepted onto computing courses in 2025, marking a 3% reduction compared to the last cycle, although this marks the second-highest number on record. For 18-year-olds, there were 16,865 acceptances, which is the first fall in seven years, showing a 9% reduction, in contrast to acceptances in all subjects, which rose 3.5% for 18-year-old domiciled students in the UK.

Closing the gender gap in IT courses

The drop in computing acceptance rates is steeper for males (-9%) than for females (-7%). More importantly, this has further diminished the gender gap in computing degree awards in the UK to 4:1 compared to 5.5:1 in 2019/20. The gap is even smaller in Scotland at slightly above 3:1.

UK Computing Degree Demand by Country

There appear to be regional disparities. In the UK, while Northern Ireland showed an increase (+8%) for computing course acceptances for people aged 18 years old, England decreased by 9%, Scotland by 10%, and Wales by 21%. The above metrics illustrate discrepancies in computing degree demand within the UK nations of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Subject-Level Shifts: “AI is on the Rise”

Observations made on trends in computing undergraduate courses in the UK show diverging trends in subject choices.

The growth of artificial intelligence degree acceptances in the UK is staggering, with an overall rise of 42% (39% of 18-year-olds included). This is reflected in the increased interest in such a career path and mirrors artificial intelligence degrees demand the UK in 2025.

• The demand for software engineering degrees in the UK declined by 5% in total and 7% for 18-year-olds, with an ongoing 5:1 male-to-female split.
• Computer science leads, representing 50% of entrants in the UK, although numbers are down 10% year on year.
• A major increase of 131% was seen in information technology. The sector of business computing experienced a sharp fall of 22%.
• Computer science, computer games and animation, and software engineering combined represent almost 90% of the students aged 18 years.

International Students’ Interest in Computing in the UK

Including international students, overall first-year entrants for computing courses were 36,660, down 4% from last year. The figure for international students dropped by 7% to 4,990, going back to the 2022/23 numbers. International students’ popularity for UK computing courses is still largely in computer science (65%), followed by software engineering and computer games.

Impact of Student Demographics on the Demand for Computing Degrees in the UK

Student demographics have quite an impact on the demand for computing degrees in the UK. For instance, half of the UK entrants come from disadvantaged communities, against 41% across all subjects. Meanwhile, the proportion declaring a disability – 23% – is the same as that of the wider student population. Ethnic diversity is also robust: 50% of computing entrants are from Black, Asian, Mixed, or Other backgrounds, 14 percentage points higher than the average across all degrees.

Another important group is that of older students. In Scotland, nearly 60% of computing entrants are aged 19 or above, compared with 45% in England, 49% in Wales, and 35% in Northern Ireland. Computing, therefore, attracts a broader age profile than other STEM subjects, reflecting flexible entry routes and vocational pathways.

The Future of Computing Education in the UK

These statistics for computing degrees in the UK make it clear that, although the demand has reduced, computing still ranks among the favourite disciplines. The increased AI intake indicates a new trend towards emerging technologies, while the narrowing gender gap indicates improvement.

As far as prospective students go, it seems there are no doubts about taking computing degrees in the UK. The opportunities are immense: great prospects, various options, and new fields of activity emerging in artificial intelligence. The prospective candidates looking to apply to UK universities with their application to take computing degrees can check UK computing degree course details and open days, and/or read UK computing degree demand trend reports.

Editor’s Note:

For ages, computing has been the backbone of education and industry worldwide. During the last decade, the demand for computing degrees was burgeoning, year by year, an effect caused by the digital economy and the promise of good career opportunities. UCAS figures showed a record high, especially in the years 2023 and 2024, and computing featured as one of the three most popular degree subjects. For the past seven years, more 18-year-olds have chosen computing as their elective course; this shows what an appeal is offered as a pipeline to technology, software, and now innovation. By 2025, however, the picture is different. In fact, this year is the first to show a decline in the entry of young people to computing after a record of seven years – in 18-year-olds, a drop of 9% and in all ages, a decline of 3%. It is not a collapse but a pause in momentum. The figures remind us that computing, despite its importance, is not immune to wider shifts in student choices, economic pressures, and perceptions of the subject. Surprisingly, the number of degrees in artificial intelligence has grown by over 40% this year. That shows where the future lies: students are really interested in AI, data, and new technologies rather than traditional programming. Declining demand, however, indicates a fallback in terms of the worth of software engineering; while still the behemoth, it has lost ground. The narrowing gender gap in UK computing degrees is quite encouraging. The 4:1 ratio between men and women is still far from equal, but at least it is an improvement compared to the previous figure of 5.5:1 a few years back. Particularly promising figures for Scotland show women making greater gains. International demand has softened, however, with overseas enrolments down 7%. That may be a consequence of an increasingly competitive world, visa problems, or changing perceptions of British higher education. Nevertheless, computing remains attractive to diverse groups: half of entrants come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and half identify as Black, Asian, Mixed, or Other ethnicities – far higher than the average across all subjects.

As per Skoobuzz, universities must rapidly update their curricula to keep pace with the realities of the digital world. While the growth of AI is clear, other crucial areas, such as software engineering, information systems, and foundational skills, require equal attention. To ensure the UK maintains its leading position in technology, computing degrees must remain relevant, inclusive, and future-oriented.

FAQs

1. Is computer science in demand in the UK?

Yes. Computer science is one of the most popular degree subjects in the UK and continues to be in demand. UCAS data shows that in 2025, computer science accounted for half of all computing degree acceptances, even though overall numbers dipped slightly. Employers in the UK tech sector are also facing a talent shortage, especially in programming, AI, and data science rolesdevshorepartners.com+1.

2. Which technologies are in demand in 2025?

The UK tech industry in 2025 is driven by:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning
• Cybersecurity (to protect against rising digital threats)
• Cloud computing and data management
• Robotics and automation in manufacturing and logistics
• Extended reality (XR), including virtual and augmented reality
• These areas are creating new jobs and shaping university course demand.

3. What are the disadvantages of a computer science degree?

While valuable, a computer science degree has some drawbacks:

• High competition: Many graduates enter the market, making jobs harder to secure.
• Skills gap: Employers often expect practical experience beyond what is taught in lectures.
• Fast-changing field: Technologies evolve quickly, so graduates must keep learning.
• Not a guaranteed job: Some students struggle to land their first role despite strong demand.

4. Which computer course is best for the UK?

The “best” course depends on career goals, but in 2025, strong options include:

• Computer Science – broad and versatile, covering programming, systems, and theory.
• Artificial Intelligence – fast-growing, with high demand in the industry.
• Software Engineering – practical focus on building applications.
• Cybersecurity – increasingly important for businesses and governments.
• Shorter coding bootcamps in web development and data science are also popular for career changers.

5. Which CS degree is most in demand?

Computer science remains the most in-demand CS degree in the UK, accounting for 50% of all computing acceptances in 2025. However, artificial intelligence degrees are growing fastest, with a 42% rise in acceptances this year. Together, computer science, software engineering, and computer games attract the majority of students.