Artificial intelligence may be beginning to reshape the employment prospects of UK graduates in computer science and economics, with new data showing a marked decline in traditional graduate roles including software development, coding and some highly paid financial occupations.
Figures compiled for the 2027 Guardian University Guide indicate that coding and software development were among the fastest-declining occupations for recent graduates last year. Demand also weakened for economics graduates entering areas such as economic analysis and management consultancy.
Computer Science Graduates See Sharp Fall in Coding Roles
Matt Hiely-Rayner, director of consultancy Intelligent Metrix and compiler of the Guardian University Guide, said the proportion of computer science graduates securing professional work as coders or programmers had fallen from about 40% in previous years to 28% last year.
The proportion entering any graduate-level occupation has also declined. More than 60% of computer science graduates moved into graduate-level employment two years ago, compared with about 50% in the latest figures.
“With AI providing such responsive and cheap grunt work in this field, it’s hard not to conclude that this is behind the trend,” Hiely-Rayner said.
The findings draw on the Graduate Outcomes survey conducted by the Higher Education Statistics Agency. More than 350,000 former students were surveyed 15 months after completing their courses in 2024, providing information about their careers since leaving university.
Graduates Move Towards Cybersecurity and Network Engineering
Charlie Ball, head of labour market intelligence at Jisc, the UK’s data and technology agency for education and research, said computer science graduates appeared to be moving into related areas including cybersecurity and network engineering.
“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,” Ball said.
“It shows the signs of an industry that is changing, and graduates are feeling the sharp end of that because they are the largest group of new employees. It’s not collapsed entirely, there are still roles available, but pure coding jobs seem to have been in particularly short supply in 2025.”
The figures add to concerns that entry-level technology jobs could be particularly exposed as businesses adopt AI systems capable of generating software, analysing information and carrying out routine technical work more quickly.
Economics Graduates Also Face Changing Recruitment Market
Economics graduates, traditionally sought after by financial services companies, consultancies and other major employers, are also experiencing changes in recruitment patterns.
Ball said discussions with finance employers suggested many were using artificial intelligence to alter jobs rather than eliminate them entirely. Familiarity with AI tools is increasingly becoming an expected skill for new recruits.
“I’ve talked to a lot of finance employers about their use of AI, and most saying they are not replacing jobs with it, they are changing jobs. They expect new hires to have familiarity with AI.
“But it is a fast-moving field and employers are not unanimous on this. Some have an appetite for risk and are embracing AI tools and laying people off, in the hope that it will give them an edge. But that may not persist, because everyone is experimenting right now.”
UK Universities Adapt Courses for an AI-Driven Labour Market
The changing graduate employment landscape is also influencing how universities prepare students for work.
The 2027 Guardian University Guide places the universities of Oxford and Cambridge and the London School of Economics in the top three overall. Its rankings use measures including academic progression, student-to-staff ratios, spending per student and graduate employment.
The University of Birmingham has climbed to 14th overall, its highest position in the rankings, following improvements in student satisfaction.
Birmingham Expands AI and Data Science Opportunities
Adam Tickell, Birmingham’s vice-chancellor, said the university was incorporating skills sought by employers into its courses.
Students can also choose an “intercalated year”, allowing undergraduates to study another subject, including AI and data science, without the usual prerequisites.
“This is about equipping people for the world they are in, whether or not we like the world we are becoming,” 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 latest graduate employment figures suggest that AI may be altering some of the career routes traditionally associated with computer science and economics degrees. While demand for skilled graduates remains, universities and employers are increasingly placing greater emphasis on AI literacy and broader technical expertise as the UK labour market evolves.
Thomas Hardy is a contributor to OE Mag, covering news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. He focuses on clear, accurate reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current affairs and developments that matter to them. His work highlights relevant stories, emerging trends, and key issues, presenting them in a balanced, accessible, and reader-friendly way.