Key facts
- AI may be impacting job prospects for UK computer science and economics graduates.
- Coding and software development were the fastest-falling occupations for graduates last year.
- Employer demand for graduates in financial roles like economists and management consultants also declined.
- The proportion of computer science graduates finding professional jobs as coders or programmers fell from about 40% to 28% last year.
- The proportion of computer science graduates moving into any graduate-level occupation declined from over 60% two years ago to 50%.
- Some employers are embracing AI tools and laying off staff to gain an edge.
Artificial intelligence may be contributing to a decline in job prospects for recent graduates in computer science and economics in the UK, according to data compiled for the 2027 Guardian University Guide. The study indicates that roles in coding, software development, and financial categories like economists and management consultants have seen reduced employer demand.
Matt Hiely-Rayner, director of Intelligent Metrix consultancy, noted that the proportion of computer science graduates securing professional jobs as coders or programmers has fallen from approximately 40% to 28% in the past year. Overall, the percentage of computer science graduates entering any graduate-level occupation has decreased from over 60% two years ago to 50%. Hiely-Rayner suggested that AI's ability to provide "responsive and cheap grunt work" in these fields is likely behind this trend.
Charlie Ball, head of labour market intelligence for Jisc, acknowledged that while direct evidence linking AI to the decline is scarce, it is difficult to ignore AI's role. He observed that the software developer labor market experienced a significant shift last year, with pure coding jobs being in particularly short supply. Ball also noted that economics graduates are facing changes, with employers increasingly expecting new hires to be familiar with AI, and some companies experimenting with AI tools to the point of laying off staff.
Universities are adapting to these changes. Adam Tickell, vice-chancellor of the University of Birmingham, stated that the institution is integrating employer-demanded skills into its courses and offering options for students to pursue AI and data science studies during an intercalated year.