Demand for UK computing degrees in 2025

We focused on students placed on computing degrees, and differences between subjects within the broad computing subject group (such as AI and software engineering). We also highlight differences by both UK constituent country and internationally, as well as changes to the gap between men and women and other aspects of background.

Key findings

Overall, the number of UK students of all ages accepted to computing degrees (all specialisms) stands at 31,670 in 2025. This is 3% lower than in the previous cycle, but still the second highest on record.

Looking at 18-year-old UK students, the number of acceptances to computing degrees (all specialisms) is the third highest on record, despite being down 9% on the previous year. This takes the overall number (16,865) to a level between the figures from 2022/23 and 2023/24. This is the first drop in seven years. This compares with a rise of 3.5% in acceptances from UK-domiciled 18-year-olds (all degrees).

Gap between men and women closes

The computing drop is greater for 18-year-old UK-domiciled men (9%) than for women (7%). In terms of UK countries, only Northern Ireland increased its 18-year-old computing starters this year (+8%), with England (-9%), Scotland (-10%) and Wales (-21%) showing decreases.

Looking at the ratio of men and women (UK-domiciled, aged 18) shows that the effect of these changes has meant a further narrowing of the gender gap in participation. This now stands at 4:1 (having been 5.5:1 in 2019/20). Participation by Scottish-domiciled students appears to be appears to be doing particularly well in this regard, with a ratio of just over 3:1.

Trends in computing disciplines

Of the eight sub-disciplines of computing, artificial intelligence stands out as a subject that is growing. The intake for 2025/26 is 695 UK-domiciled 18-year-olds, up 39% from the previous cycle (42% for all ages).

The future of programming has been a regular topic in tech circles. There are 2,535 Y1 18-year-old UK domiciled undergraduates placed on software engineering courses in 2025/26. This is 7% down on the previous year (and with a 5:1 M:F ratio).

For age-18 UK domiciled students, computing is the eighth most popular degree subject in 2025/26, down one place from 2024/25.

Computing degrees seem to be particularly popular with older students in Scotland, with almost 60% of new undergraduates being 19 or older, compared with 49% in Wales, 45% in England and 35% in Northern Ireland.

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Including international students, there are 36,660 first year undergraduates (around 4% lower than in the previous academic year).

The number of international students starting any computing degree has declined by 7% to 4,990 in this cycle, around the level in 2022/23.

The percentage of UK students (all ages) starting a computing degree this year from relatively disadvantaged communities (quintiles 1 and 2 of the Indices of Multiple Deprivation) has risen to 50%. This compares with 41% of students overall.

The percentage of UK students (all ages) starting a computing degree this year and who declare any form of disability is 23%, the same proportion of all new entrants.

The proportion of new undergraduate students from Black, Asian, Mixed, and Other ethnic backgrounds rose to 50% in 2025/26 (up from 49%). This is 14 percentage points greater than for all other undergraduate degrees.

Which computing degree subjects are most popular?

Computer science remains by far the most popular computing subject with UK students – all ages. computer science, computer games and animation, and software engineering account for almost 90% of 18-year-old UK entrants, and over 80% of all UK entrants.

Where are changes in demand happening across Computing subjects?

How attractive is computing to older students?

Computing appears to recruit a larger proportion of older students across the four nations compared with other STEM subjects. This may reflect the broad range of backgrounds of computing students, entry requirements, and progression from further education and BTEC routes.

Which UK computing degree subjects are most popular with international students?

It appears that non-UK students mainly choose Computer Science degree courses and are less likely to opt for the other specialist degrees than UK students. Their next most popular options are similar to UK student choices.

Further reading: UCAS Undergraduate end of cycle data resources 2025