UK university computing departments have seen a record number of course applicants as AI becomes increasingly mainstream, according to new figures.

Analysis by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT found that the number of young people in the UK hoping to study computing this year has increased by almost 10 per cent, more than for all other university subjects.

The organisation says the increase in popularity is likely related to the "high profile" of AI, combined with the range of career options for UK computing graduates, like cybersecurity and climate change data science.

The figures also show that computing degrees have seen an 18 per cent growth in applications from women in the UK hoping to start courses this year.

BCS said male students still outnumber female students in computer science by 3.8 to 1 this year, but the gap has closed slightly from 4.2 to 1 at the same stage in the application cycle in 2022.

Overall, there were 92,980 applications from UK 18-year-olds to start UK Computing degrees this year.

“Young people – and an increasing proportion of young women – see that a computing degree is a passport to change the world,” said Julia Adamson, managing director for education and publication benefit, BCS. “AI and machine learning are transforming how kids complete homework and how job applicants write the covering letters. It’s no wonder so many people see their futures in technology."

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