Postgraduate conversion courses in data science and artificial intelligence
Evaluating impact
AI and data science conversion course funded programme – April 2020 to March 2023
In April 2020 we appointed external evaluators Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC) to evaluate the postgraduate conversion course programme through to March 2023.
We have now published the final evaluation report.
Key findings from the programme
- The programme has exceeded its target to deliver 2,500 graduates into the UK AI and data science workforce by autumn 2023:
- 7,600 students were enrolled up to September 2023
- it's expected that the programme will produce at least 6,000 new graduates in total.
- More than 950 of 1,000 scholarships available were awarded to students from groups considered to be underrepresented in higher education.
- The programme has driven increased diversity - a high proportion of enrolments were from students who are:
- female (72 per cent)
- black (35 per cent)
- disabled students (25 per cent).
- Evidence suggests most students are successfully completing their degrees with the majority of graduates securing jobs using data and AI skills.
Evaluation reports
AI and data science conversion course scholarship funding - April 2023 to March 2025
In March 2023, CRAC were re-appointed as the external evaluators to evaluate the new postgraduate conversion course scholarship funding through to September 2026.
Emerging findings from the programme evaluation
- The programme has potential to contribute towards meeting the aim of increasing the supply of digitally skilled workers through conversion courses, with 57 courses taking part in the programme. Nine of these courses are newly developed.
- Demand for courses involved in the programme has been high, with over 4,700 students already enrolled and 5,000 students predicted to enrol within the 2023-24 academic year, which exceeds original projections. The programme has awarded over 90 per cent of the 818 scholarships available for delivery in 2023-24 academic year to students from target underrepresented groups.
- Initial survey data suggests that the programme’s targeted scholarships are having the desired effect of increasing the diversity of students on these courses. The proportions of female disabled and Black students among scholarship holders are all significantly higher than among students without scholarships within the course cohorts.
- A total of 26 scholarships have been co-funded by the industry partners. The extent of industry co-investment leveraged for scholarships has remained below the level anticipated. However, the amount of in-kind support from industry partners, such as providing placements and employer mentoring, remains substantial, currently standing at £6.3 million.
Read our press releases
- New analysis shows over 7,600 students have enrolled on AI and data science courses to tackle digital skills gaps
- OfS confirms £8.1 million boost for postgraduate AI conversion courses as evaluation finds promising signs of increase in diversity of graduates
Your future in AI and data science
Information for students about applying for postgraduate conversion courses in artificial intelligence and data science.
Published 13 June 2022
Last updated 20 September 2024 + show all updates
Last updated 20 September 2024 + show all updates
20 September 2024 - The page has been updated to reflect the latest evaluation of the programme.
14 February 2024 - Added link to final evaluation report and listed updated key findings.
10 January 2024 - Update to anticipated publication date of final report.
01 November 2023 - Information updated and link added to November 2023 evaluation report.
30 March 2023 - Updated key findings, and added link to March 2023 interim report
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