University of bradford among top UK Institutions for AI Courses
The University of Bradford has secured a place among the top institutions for artificial intelligence (AI) course enrolments in the UK. With 325 students enrolled in AI courses during the 2022/23 academic year, the university ranked third nationwide, highlighting its growing reputation as a leader in AI education.
A recent study conducted by Currys, a leading technology retailer, analysed university admissions data to assess the impact of AI advancements on course uptake across the UK. The findings revealed a remarkable 453 per cent surge in AI course enrolments in 2022/23 compared to figures from 2017/18, demonstrating a significant shift in student interest towards this evolving field.
Leading the rankings was the University of Hull, which recorded the highest number of AI course enrolments with 690 students, followed by the University of Edinburgh with 405. Other prominent institutions in the top ten included the University of Bath, the University of Surrey, the University of Liverpool, and Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine.
The study also shed light on the increasing accessibility of AI education. In 2017/18, only 29 out of the 291 universities analysed had AI course enrolments. By 2022/23, this number had risen substantially to 84, underscoring the growing recognition of AI’s importance across multiple sectors.
In addition to enrolment statistics, Currys conducted a survey of 1,000 students and recent graduates to understand their perceptions of AI in relation to their career prospects. The results indicated that over 30 per cent of respondents considered the potential impact of AI takeover when choosing their career paths. Notably, 63 per cent of students believed that AI had improved their chances of success in their chosen professions.
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The increasing prominence of AI has also influenced course selections, with 37 per cent of surveyed students and graduates stating that the rise of AI played a role in their decision-making process. This shift in academic preference is further reflected in the surge in enrolments for Information Technology courses, which experienced a staggering 3,514 per cent rise in 2022/23 compared to 2017/18. Similarly, courses such as Business Computing and Software Engineering have witnessed a substantial increase in student interest.
However, the rise of AI has also led to a decline in enrolments for certain traditional subjects. Language and Area Studies, for example, saw a 20 per cent decrease in enrolments, while Education and Teaching courses experienced an 11 per cent decline. Similarly, Media, Journalism, and Communications enrolments dropped by 7 per cent, reflecting shifting academic trends in response to AI’s growing influence.
The University of Bradford’s strong performance in AI course enrolments underscores its commitment to staying at the forefront of technological education. As AI continues to shape the future job market, institutions like Bradford are playing a crucial role in equipping students with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
