An analysis by StudyPortals and Nous Group has identified significant disparities between student enrollment patterns and workforce demand across four major study destinations. The research, which compared web traffic for degree courses and job listings on the StudyPortals platform, reveals that employer appetite for business and engineering graduates substantially exceeds student interest in these programs across all four territories examined.
The report identifies additional labor market gaps varying by country. In the U.K., demand for education workers has grown faster than student applications to the field, a trend that intensified between 2022 and 2025. Conversely, the U.K. experiences oversupply pressure in biological sciences, information technology, and physical sciences. The U.S. faces a similar challenge with nursing and health sciences, as approximately 189,000 registered nurse openings are projected annually over the coming decade despite relatively stagnant student interest. Across all four nations, fields including environmental and conservation studies, psychology, and visual and performing arts attract more student applicants than available positions.
The report recommends that universities strengthen partnerships with employers and implement targeted recruitment strategies to direct students toward fields critical to national economic needs. It further emphasizes the importance of integrating artificial intelligence capabilities across multiple disciplines—including marketing and health—rather than treating it as a standalone technical specialty. The U.S. and U.K. are noted as leaders in developing AI-related programs beyond computing.
Meanwhile, the research highlights concerns about international student retention and career preparation. The U.K. retains only 40 percent of its international graduates compared to 66 percent in Canada, suggesting universities should better understand where international students will work after graduation and prepare them accordingly. Zac Ashkanasy, global higher education lead at Nous Group, stressed that universities must base expansion and program decisions on projected workforce demand rather than current student preferences, particularly in fields essential to national capability.
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