AI begins to reshape UK graduate prospects in computer science and economics, new data shows

Recent data from a comprehensive study of UK university leavers suggests that artificial intelligence is beginning to affect employment opportunities for graduates in computer science and economics, fields once known for strong demand.

Figures released for the 2027 Guardian University Guide indicate that coding and software‑development roles saw the steepest decline in graduate employment last year, while demand for high‑paying finance positions—including economists and management consultants—also fell.

Industry experts warn that graduates aiming for these roles may be the first to feel AI’s direct impact, echoing earlier forecasts that the technology would reshape the labour market by enabling rapid, cost‑effective software creation and analytical work.

Matt Hiely‑Rayner, director of Intelligent Metrix and compiler of the Guardian’s guide, reported that the share of computer‑science graduates securing coder or programmer positions dropped from roughly 40 % to 28 % in the past year.

Overall, the percentage of computer‑science graduates entering any graduate‑level job fell from over 60 % two years ago to just 50 % last year.

Because AI can now deliver fast, low‑cost routine coding tasks, it is difficult not to link this development to the observed decline, Hiely‑Rayner observed.

The survey, administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency, collected responses from more than 350,000 alumni 15 months after they graduated in 2024, probing their post‑university career trajectories in depth.

Charlie Ball, Jisc’s head of labour‑market intelligence, noted that computer‑science graduates appear to be shifting toward related fields such as cybersecurity and network engineering.

“It is undeniable that the software‑developer market changed markedly last year. While I am cautious about attributing this solely to AI due to limited evidence, it is almost impossible to ignore AI’s contribution,” Ball remarked.

The industry is clearly evolving, and new graduates are bearing the brunt as the biggest cohort of entrants. While the sector has not vanished, opportunities for pure coding positions appear especially scarce in 2025, Ball added.

Likewise, economics graduates—who once enjoyed robust employer demand—are now experiencing shifting job prospects.

Ball explained that most finance employers are not using AI to eliminate roles but to transform them, and they now expect hires to be AI‑literate. He added that the field is rapidly evolving, with some firms taking risks by adopting AI tools and even reducing staff in hopes of gaining a competitive edge—though such trends may not be sustainable as organisations continue to experiment.

The Guardian’s yearly ranking of undergraduate programmes places Oxford, Cambridge and the London School of Economics at the top, evaluating subjects on academic progression, staff‑student ratios, expenditure per student, graduate employment outcomes and other criteria.

The University of Birmingham climbed to a record 14th place overall in the 2027 rankings, buoyed by notable gains in student satisfaction.

Vice‑Chancellor Adam Tickell said Birmingham is equipping students for the evolving job market by integrating employer‑required skills into its curriculum and offering an intercalated year in fields such as AI and data science, bypassing usual entry requirements.

“We must prepare students for the world they will inherit, whether it aligns with our preferences or not,” Tickell commented. “Young people need to know how to wield these technologies responsibly, giving them the depth of understanding required to navigate a rapidly shifting landscape.”

Source link