Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the subjects expected to experience a growth in demand in the next five years at Higher Education institutions.

The department does not assess current or forecast expected student demand for different subjects at higher education institutions.

Accurately forecasting future demand for particular subjects is difficult and any such assessment would be subject to significant uncertainty. Research shows that students take into account a variety of factors when deciding on course choice, including future earnings potential, passion, fulfilment and ability. More information about this can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/918941/DfE_Review_Educ_and_VET_choices_-_Final_1709.pdf.

A report published in May 2022 for the department set out the key economic, social, political, technological, and environmental trends and drivers affecting labour market and skills demand. The report is available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1077930/Labour_Market_and_Skills_Demand_Horizon_Scanning_and_Future_Scenarios_FINAL.pdf.