Declining Interest in Traditional Degrees: Undergrad Enrolment in Engineering, Accountancy, and Humanities Dwindles While Computing Surges at Singapor

The Evolving Landscape of Undergraduate Enrolments in Singapore Universities

Singapore's higher education sector is witnessing a profound shift in student preferences, with traditional disciplines like engineering, accountancy, and humanities experiencing declining interest while computing programmes see explosive growth. This trend, evident across major autonomous universities such as the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Management University (SMU), and others, reflects broader economic signals, technological disruptions, and evolving job market demands. As of Academic Year (AY) 2025/26, full-time undergraduate enrolments highlight this divergence starkly: computing-related fields now dominate intake discussions, prompting universities to adapt curricula and capacities accordingly.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) oversees intake allocations through annual reviews, balancing student demand with national manpower needs. Yet, raw numbers paint a clear picture—computing enrolments have surged by over 60 per cent across NUS, NTU, and SMU in recent years, while engineering's share of total university students has halved since 2003. This isn't merely a fleeting fad; it's a rational response to wage premiums in tech roles and fears of automation in legacy fields.

Computing's Meteoric Rise: Statistics and Drivers

Computing has emerged as the undisputed star of Singapore's undergraduate landscape. At NUS, the School of Computing boasts 5,460 full-time undergraduates in AY2025/26, up from 5,348 the previous year. NTU's College of Computing and Data Science enrols 4,714 students, encompassing Computer Science (1,815), Data Science & Artificial Intelligence (558), and interdisciplinary variants like Business and Computing (197). SMU's School of Computing and Information Systems leads with 3,518 students, including a Computer Science cohort that doubled from 246 in 2021 to 569 in 2025.

This surge—63 per cent across the big three universities from 2019 to 2024—stems from tech giants like Google, Meta, and local fintech firms offering starting salaries upwards of S$6,000 monthly. The 2025 Joint Autonomous Universities Graduate Employment Survey underscores this: information and digital technology graduates enjoyed a median gross monthly salary of S$5,500 and an 88.4 per cent full-time employment rate within six months. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data science hype, fueled by tools like ChatGPT, has students flocking to programmes blending coding with real-world applications such as cybersecurity and algorithmic trading.

Universities have responded proactively. NTU launched the AI and Society degree in 2024 and a Turing AI Scholars Programme, while NUS integrates AI modules across syllabi. For aspiring tech professionals, exploring higher ed jobs in Singapore's vibrant sector reveals abundant opportunities in AI research and software engineering.

Engineering's Gradual Retreat: A Long-Term Decline

Once the backbone of Singapore's industrial push, engineering now grapples with waning appeal. The proportion of university students in engineering sciences plummeted from 42.9 per cent in 2003 to 22.2 per cent in 2023, per MOE data. In AY2025/26, NUS's College of Design and Engineering (CDE) holds steady at 5,769 students, mirroring 5,761 the prior year, while NTU's College of Engineering enrols 7,322 across Mechanical (1,678), Electrical & Electronic (2,454), and others.

Despite absolute numbers ticking up slightly (from 17,823 in 2020 to 19,186 in 2024 across universities), the share erodes as computing expands. Reasons include perceptions of lower starting pay—around S$4,200 median—versus computing's premiums, coupled with physically demanding roles and slower innovation pace amid AI automation. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) lists civil and industrial engineers among top vacancies, relying on foreign talent, but local students prioritise work-life balance and rapid career progression.

Industry leaders urge revival through interdisciplinary blends like NTU's Renaissance Engineering (246 students), merging engineering with business or computing. Prospective engineers might consider higher ed career advice to navigate this evolving field.

Accountancy Faces AI Shadows and Talent Shortages

Accountancy enrolment has dipped over 10 per cent from 2018 to 2023, per the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA), with total students falling from 4,982 in 2020 to 3,995 in 2024. At SMU, 1,139 pursue Bachelor of Accountancy; NTU has 715 plus variants like Accountancy (Sustainability Management and Analytics) at 92.

AI tools automating audits and tax filings spark fears, though experts like ISCA note humans remain vital for complex judgements. NUS Business School enrols 4,024 overall, but students pivot to analytics add-ons. The 2023 Accountancy Workforce Review Committee addresses shortages, as fewer graduates enter practice despite strong employability (88 per cent rate, S$4,500 median salary).

• AI handles routine tasks, freeing professionals for advisory roles.
• Students join consulting clubs or double-major in data science.
• Government pushes bonded scholarships to bolster pipelines.

Humanities and Social Sciences: Perceived Job Risks Amid Steady Demand

NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) shrank from 6,400 in 2019 to 4,006 in AY2025/26, with declines in languages, history, and philosophy. NTU's College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (CHASS) stands at 3,965, including Psychology (482) and Sociology (370). SMU's School of Social Sciences has 957.

Job scepticism drives this—88 per cent employment but S$4,350 median salary lags tech. Yet, skills like critical thinking thrive in AI era. Students pair majors with Communications or add computing minors. Assoc Prof Andrew Hui (NUS) warns of cultural erosion without humanities nurturing.

NUS FASS promotes double majors for versatility.

Job Market Insights: Salaries, Employment, and Sector Shifts

The 2025 Graduate Employment Survey reveals challenges: 74.4 per cent full-time permanent employment (down from 79.4 per cent in 2024), median S$4,500 across disciplines. Computing leads at S$5,500 and 88.4 per cent; engineering and accountancy hover at S$4,200-S$4,500 with high rates; humanities at S$4,350 and 88 per cent.

Tech layoffs tempered optimism, but LinkedIn notes 29 per cent job posting growth. Sectors like finance and startups absorb quants.

Universities Adapt: Interdisciplinary Programmes and Capacity Tweaks

Institutions calibrate via MOE quotas. NTU blends via Data Science & Economics; NUS expands AI across faculties. SIT notes 30 per cent infocomm applications rise. SUSS aligns with SkillsFuture for lifelong learning.

• NTU: Economics/Data Science, Applied Computing in Finance.
• NUS: Computing minors for non-tech majors.
• SMU: Computing & Law (99 students).

Check university jobs for faculty roles in emerging hybrids.

Government and Industry Responses to Talent Imbalances

Budget 2026 allocates for AI upskilling; ISCA committees tackle accountancy gaps. MOM vacancies highlight engineering needs. S$556 million boosts social sciences research, countering declines.

MOE emphasises resilience via hybrid skills.

Implications for Singapore's Economy and Future Workforce

Over-reliance on tech risks vulnerability if AI disrupts coding. Humanities foster adaptability; engineering sustains infrastructure. Experts like Assoc Prof Kelvin Seah advocate diversity for resilience.

Prospects for Students: Navigating Choices and Careers

Prospective students: assess via Indicative Grade Profiles (IGP). Blend interests—engineering with AI, accountancy with analytics. Platforms like Rate My Professor and higher ed career advice aid decisions. Singapore's higher ed ecosystem rewards versatility.

Photo by Albert Vincent Wu on Unsplash

Looking Ahead: Sustainable Talent Development

With falling birth rates, foreign talent supplements, but locals must diversify. Universities eye micro-credentials; government pushes SkillsFuture. Balanced pipelines ensure Singapore thrives amid global shifts. Explore higher ed jobs, rate my professor, and career advice for your path; post openings at post a job.