A recent study took a deep dive into university admissions data to discover how the developments in AI have impacted course uptakes in the UK. The data showed that AI course enrolments have increased by 453% in 2022/23 compared to 2017/18 – and it is women who are leading the way.

Although more men have enrolled in these courses, with 5,670 males enrolled in AI courses in 2022/23 compared to 1,075 five years earlier, (a 427% rise), there were 2,265 women enrolled in 22/23. This is a whopping 521% more than the 365 enrolments in 2017/18.

As well as the rapid uptake in AI across the world, it could also be the fact that AI courses are more accessible. In 2017/2018, only 29 universities out of 291 analysed had enrolments into an artificial intelligence course (previously (I4) Artificial Intelligence). However, by 2022/23, there were 84 universities with enrolments into the same course (now 11-01-05 Artificial intelligence). This is nearly three times the number of universities five years ago.

To support this analysis, Currys also conducted a survey of 1,000 students and recent graduates to understand their relationship with AI. Of those asked, it was found that over three in ten students say that the prospect of AI taking over has influenced their chosen career path. And despite numerous articles stating which jobs are in danger due to this takeover, 63% actually believe that AI has improved their chances of succeeding in their chosen career.

When looking at where in the country most people are enrolling to study AI courses, The University of Hull is ahead, with 690 enrolments in Artificial Intelligence courses. This is followed by the University of Edinburgh with 405 and the University of Bradford with 325.

Nearly four in ten students’ choice of course was influenced by AI

The same survey found that 37% of students and graduates were influenced by the popularity of AI when choosing which course to study. This mindset is reflected in the courses which have experienced a boost to enrolments over the past five years.

Information Technology saw the greatest rise, with a 3,514% increase in course enrolments in 22/23 compared to 17/18. Similarly, Business Computing admissions rose by 2,384% and Software Engineering by 265%. It can be argued that all these courses present the opportunity to go into roles which are supported by AI, instead of endangered by it. Jobs that are likely to fall into this category are machine learning engineers, AI software developers, or robotic process automation (RPA) engineers.

Subject Total dif. 17/18
vs 22/23

11-01-02 Information technology 3514%

11-01-07 Business computing 2384%

11-01-04 Software engineering 265%

11-01-08 Others in computing 234%

10-01-03 Production / manufacturing engineering 128%

In a similar vein, there are courses which have experienced a decrease in interest, potentially also due to the rise in AI. ‘Language and area studies’ have seen a 20% decrease in students taking this subject. AI has made translation and language processing more accessible and automated, reducing the demand for traditional roles in translation and interpretation.

‘Education and teaching’ enrolments have decreased by 11%, likely thanks to AI-driven learning platforms and virtual instructors that are reshaping education, automating some teaching tasks and potentially reducing demand for certain educational roles, particularly in early instruction and tutoring. As a result, students may feel less inclined to pursue teaching careers.

Enrolments in ‘Media, Journalism, and Communications’ have decreased by 7%. Although not an earth-shattering figure, AI-generated content, such as automated news summaries and even full articles, challenges the traditional roles of journalists and content creators. This may lead students to feel uncertain about job security in these areas, impacting enrolment.

Find the full study here: https://www.currys.co.uk/techtalk/computing/laptops/smart-studies.html