Recent UK graduate data shows a sharp drop in job prospects for computer science and economics graduates.
What Happened in the Data
Coding and software development were the fastest-falling occupations among recent graduates.
Employer demand for economics graduates in finance roles like economists and management consultants has also declined.
Key Facts from the Report
- The share of computer science grads in coding jobs fell from 40% to 28% in one year.
- Graduate-level employment for computer science grads dropped from over 60% two years ago to 50%.
- Many finance employers now expect new hires to know AI tools, even if they don’t replace staff with AI.
- Some firms use AI to cut costs, but this practice isn’t consistent across the sector.
Experts Explain the Shift
Matt Hiely-Rayner of Intelligent Metrix said AI’s ability to handle routine coding tasks efficiently likely drove the trend.
He stated: ‘With AI providing such responsive and cheap grunt work in this field, it’s hard not to conclude that this is behind the trend.’
Charlie Ball of Jisc said the software developer market changed significantly last year.
He noted: ‘It is clear that something did happen to the software developer labour market last year. While I’m reluctant to say that AI did it, because there’s little evidence, it’s very hard to escape the conclusion that AI has played a role.’
How the Labour Market Is Evolving
Computer science grads are moving into fields like cybersecurity and network engineering.
These roles remain in demand because they require human judgment that AI cannot fully replace.
Finance employers are mostly using AI to support work, not replace it.
Some are testing AI tools for data analysis and reporting, though results vary.
Why This Matters for Students
Graduates in high-demand fields are feeling the impact of technological change first.
As AI tools grow more accessible, the job market is shifting quickly.
Students must now learn how to use AI tools effectively — not just technical skills.
What to Watch Next
How employers use AI will shape future hiring practices.
Graduate outcomes may continue to reflect shifts in demand, especially in technical roles.
Universities are adding AI and data science options to undergraduate programs.
The University of Birmingham now offers an intercalated year in AI or data science without standard prerequisites.
Vice-Chancellor Adam Tickell said: ‘Our young people need to understand how to use these things properly. It’s about giving students the ability to do a deep dive into the way the world is changing.’
The Guardian’s annual university guide ranks schools by academic progress, staffing, spending, and graduate outcomes.
The University of Birmingham rose to 14th place in 2027, thanks to better student satisfaction and curriculum changes.
This shows a broader trend: AI is now a core part of daily work in many fields.
For computer science and economics graduates, this means adapting to new expectations — both in jobs and in how they learn technology.
More graduate data will be released soon, offering deeper insight into AI’s impact on careers.
Read the full Guardian report for detailed graduate outcomes and expert commentary.
Sources & further reading
AI-generated illustration.
