Employer demand for IT degrees grew significantly in 2020

Applicants with degrees in computing or IT have seen a sharp increase in the number of jobs available to them in the last year.

Money.co.uk analysed over 1 million job adverts to reveal which degrees have seen the largest increase and decrease in demand between 2019 and 2020.

At the top of the table, six of the ten degrees that recruiters were looking for related specifically to computing and IT. These include degrees including Computer Systems, where the demand went up by 512%, and Information Systems, where saw demand increase by 626%.

The degrees at the top of the table are Computer Information Systems, which appeared in 4,870 job listings compared to just 178 in 2019, and Computer Systems Engineering, which saw a 3067% increase from 178 to 4870.

Danny Aldridge, co-founder of recruitment website Check-a-Salary said the "increase in demand for IT and mathematical related degrees emphasises the importance of the sector to the UK.

"The varying levels of pay depending on degree highlights to school leavers the significance they need to place on their degree choice. Studying a STEM subject is likely to lead to higher levels of pay throughout a career."

Meanwhile, at the bottom end of the table, the demand for applicants with degrees in Petroleum Engineering and Aerospace Systems degrees fell by 97% year on year. Other degrees that weren’t as popular in 2020 included Computer Systems Development, Sports Technology and Sports Management.

Salman Haqqi, personal finance expert at Money.co.uk, said: “As tuition fees in England can cost up to £9,250 a year, it’s understandable that many people are keen to know if studying a particular degree is worth their time and money.

"Although the long-term salary implications of undertaking a higher education qualification are important, it’s also key to remember that a degree usually lasts several years, and therefore choosing a subject you enjoy and find interesting should be central to your decision.”

In September last year, research from the British Science Association(BSA) found that there was a marked uplift in young people who would now consider a STEM career as a result of the pandemic, with 37% saying they were more likely to consider it.