UCAS data reveals engineering and technology course applications on the rise

Engineering, technology and computer science-related degrees have seen the greatest rise in UCAS applicants this year, according to new figures.

The ‘Engineering’ subject group saw an increase in applications of 11 per cent to nearly 150,000, according to figures released today by UCAS, while the ‘Computer Sciences’ group saw a rise of 13 per cent to break the 100,000 mark and the ‘Technologies’ rose 15 per cent to just over 10,000.

Stephanie Fernandes from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) said: “The UCAS figures show very welcome increases in university application figures for Engineering, Computer Sciences and Technologies courses.

"With engineering companies projected to have 2.74 million job openings between 2010 and 2020, there is an urgent need to encourage many more young people into engineering to meet demand.

“The IET, together with others in the engineering sector, has been working hard over the last few years to highlight to those choosing higher education options that engineering and technology careers are rewarding, diverse and exciting. It is fantastic news to see that young people are now starting to respond to our efforts by choosing engineering and technology degrees. Given the rise in awareness of the skills gap among Government, employers and educators, we hope that this rise will continue over time so that we can fill the skills void facing the engineering sector.”

Engineering is now the sixth most popular subject group with 148,950 applicants, behind medicine with 381,050, business and administration studies with 301,080, creative arts and design with 258,870, biological studies with 241,680 and social studies with 214,730.

The computer sciences subject group is in ninth place with 103,590, while technologies is second from bottom with 10,290, ahead of non-European languages on 5,620.

Notes to editors:

Interview opportunities are available with IET spokespeople from a broad range of engineering and technology disciplines including cyber-security, energy, engineering skills, innovation, manufacturing, technology, transport and women in engineering.

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