UK Computer Science Graduate Coding Jobs Fall to 28% as AI Reshapes Hiring

2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Sep 12

Just 28% of UK computer science graduates moved into professional coding or programming jobs last year, down from about 40%, making software development the fastest-falling graduate occupation.
More than 350,000 graduate outcomes responses suggest AI is a key driver, as employers use tools that can produce software and analysis cheaply and quickly, cutting demand for entry-level coding and some finance roles.
50% of computer science graduates entered any graduate-level job, down from more than 60% two years earlier, though some are shifting into adjacent fields such as cybersecurity and network engineering.
Economics graduates also saw weaker prospects, with employers increasingly expecting AI fluency and some firms experimenting with leaner hiring or layoffs while they test the technology.
The findings, published in the 2027 Guardian University Guide, underscore how universities are adapting courses to a labor market being reshaped by AI.