Computing degrees are growing in popularity faster than any other course, according to research by BCS.

The Chartered Institute for IT found that a record number of students are applying for computing science degrees in 2023.

January deadline data from UCAS, the university admissions service, shows that the number of young people applying in the UK to study computing has rise by 9.6%.

This is welcomed news for the tech sector, as the skills gap has been limiting digital transformation across industries and hampering cyber security efforts as cybercrimes are on the rise.

The total 92,980 application from UK 18 year olds to start computing degrees in the autumn will help bolster the UK’s tech workforce, as calls for re-training and re-skilling remain loud due to an aging workforce.

Further, 18% more women applied to computing science degrees this year, a higher percentage of growth than seen in other degree subjects. While male students still outnumber female students bu 3.8 to 1, the gender gap is narrowing, as in 2022 it was 4.2 to 1.

Julia Adamson, MD for Education and Public Benefit at BCS said: “Young people – and an increasing proportion of young women – see that a computing degree is a passport to change the world. AI and machine learning are transforming how kids complete homework and how job applicants write the covering letters.

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“It’s no wonder so many people see their futures in technology. The more diverse range of people we have working in computing the fairer and more inclusive the results will be for all of us.”

UCAS Chief Executive Clare Marchant said after the publication of the 2023 application figures for full time undergraduate study at UK universities: “We are seeing increased interest in subjects which students perceive to have good career prospects, such as computing and law.”

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