Taking the UK’s digital workforce to the next level

Unlocking digital skills for underrepresented groups in the technology sector

Since 2020, the Office for Students (OfS) has collaborated with the Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to address digital skills gaps and enhance diversity in the UK’s AI and data science sector through funding for scholarships and course development.

We've delivered £29.9 million to support courses designed to tackle the shortage of AI and data science specialists in the UK by reskilling recent graduates and upskilling those seeking to advance or change career paths to support the UK’s digital future.

The programme provided opportunities for graduates who hadn’t previously studied a science, technology, maths or engineering course to unlock their data analytical skills. The courses combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience to empower students’ understanding and knowledge of AI and data science.

We also sought to increase diversity within the data science industry, so provided scholarships worth £10,000 each to students from underrepresented backgrounds, including:

• black students
• women
• disabled students
• students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

We encouraged employers to co-invest in scholarships and invest in training placements and other support to foster greater diversity and facilitate students’ career progression.

Interim monitoring and evaluation data shows that:

• 38 universities have participated in the programme
• 17,400 students have enrolled ^[1]
• 2,485 scholarships have been awarded ^[2]
• £6.8 million in co-investment has been pledged from 139 employers. ^[3]

Student and staff experiences

We recently met students and staff at the University of Birmingham, the University of Bradford and the University of York to discuss their experiences.

At the University of Bradford, students praised the applied nature of the course, working on real-life projects at companies to gain practical experience and learning about the strategic uses of AI for business. Many students felt more confident and enjoyed bringing their previous disciplines into their new studies.

‘This course has been life-changing, equipping me with practical AI skills to tackle real-world challenges as a disabled woman. Its focus on real, applicable knowledge gave me the confidence to transition from marketing to a technical career.'

Melanie Denyer, University of Bradford

Students at the University of Birmingham highlighted how scholarships allowed them to focus on their studies without financial stress, and appreciated the supportive environment and the opportunity to learn coding, data analysis and other skills. The university offers tailored support and boot camps to bridge students’ knowledge gaps.

‘Knowing that my tuition is partly covered has lifted a huge burden from my shoulders. I’ve been able to focus more on academic success, participate in networking opportunities, and plan for long-term research contributions, all of which would have been difficult without this support.’

Eddie Grand Agyeman, University of Birmingham

The University of York's students praised how the online courses allow them to fit their studies around their other commitments, which has helped increase student diversity. The university has adapted its course design following student feedback, incorporating more video content and practical tasks to improve engagement and learning outcomes.

These examples demonstrate participating universities’ commitment to responding to students’ and industry needs to deliver relevant, practical courses to support students on their digital career.

You can read more about staff and students’ experiences in our published case studies.

Early impact of the programme

Early evaluation findings show the programme has had a significant impact on increasing the diversity of students on these courses, with more women, black students, and disabled students enrolling.

Universities have actively engaged with employers to enhance the learning experience and career prospects for students. Employers have pledged co-investment totalling £6.8 million in scholarships and other support mechanisms, demonstrating their commitment to the programme. This collaboration has facilitated the development of industry-relevant course modules and provided students with practical, real-world experience through placements and projects.

Universities have been dynamic in designing and delivering the courses, and routinely review and adapt modules based on student feedback and industry needs. We encourage universities to continue to learn from student and industry feedback to support students’ skill development.

These courses play an important role in increasing the pipeline and diversity of talent to reduce digital skills gaps in the AI and data science sectors, and other industries seeking to harness data analysis.

What’s next?

We’ll keep evaluating the programme’s impact on diversifying the AI and data science workforce, outcomes for students, and the future sustainability of these courses. We plan to publish the next set of evaluation findings in autumn 2025.

We’ll also continue to consider how we can address skills gaps in AI, data science and other strategically important areas, and collaborate with DSIT on the government's AI Action Plan, to support universities and colleges increase the number of AI graduates and teach industry-relevant skills. As part of this, we’ll use our regulatory tools and engagement with providers, government departments and Skills England to promote equality of opportunity and high- quality courses for students.

We’re proud of the programme's achievements in transforming students' lives and enhancing universities’ capabilities to contribute to the growth and diversity of the AI and data science sector.

Notes

[1] This figure is based on 7,600 enrolments on courses funded between April 2020 and March 2023 as published in the February 2024 report Evaluation of data science and artificial intelligence conversion masters' courses. It also includes 5,350 enrolments on funded courses in the 2023-24 academic year and 4,450 enrolments for the period September 2024 to March 2025, as reported by funded projects as part of the OfS's ongoing monitoring. This figure is expected to increase with further intakes expected in the 2024-25 academic year

[2] This figure is based on 950 scholarships reported as being delivered between April 2020 and March 2023 as published in the February 2024 report Evaluation of data science and artificial intelligence conversion masters' courses. It also includes 756 scholarships awarded to eligible students in the 2023-24 academic year and 779 scholarships awarded to eligible students for the period September 2024 to March 2025, as reported by funded projects as part of the OfS's ongoing monitoring.

[3] As reported in programme evaluation findings up to September 2024, this figure may be subject to change.