Archive · 26 Jan 2026
Top five courses shaping student choices in 2026
Students are changing their academic paths because of new job opportunities and technologies.
The World Economic Forum says there will be 170 million new jobs in areas like big data and green energy.
Here are the top five courses that students will choose in 2026: AI, Data Science, and Generative AI; Cybersecurity; Cloud, Software Engineering, and DevOps; Business, Digital Marketing, and Transformation; and Health, Nursing, and Allied Health.
These courses are in high demand because they teach skills that are needed in the job market.
For example, AI courses have seen a big increase in popularity, and there is a shortage of cybersecurity workers.
Business courses are also popular, with a lot of money being spent on digital marketing.
Health courses are important because there is a shortage of health workers and new technologies like telehealth are being used.
AI, Data Science, and Generative AI courses are the most sought after by students by 2026, with a surge of over 1,060% in a single year.
Cybersecurity courses are in high demand due to a global workforce shortage of 4.8 million and the increasing need for cloud security and ethical hacking skills.
Cloud, Software Engineering, and DevOps skills are in high demand across various industries, with universities offering embedded internships and co-op pathways.
Business, Digital Marketing, and Transformation courses are evolving to cater to the growing needs of hiring companies, with global spending on digital marketing estimated at $700 billion.
Health, Nursing, and Allied Health courses are in high demand due to a predicted 11 million health workers workforce gap by 2030 and the development of telehealth and other pandemic lessons.
- Who
- Students and education leaders
- What
- Top five courses shaping student choices in 2026
- When
- By 2026
- Where
- Globally
- Why
- Due to shifting job market demands and technological advancements
- AI, Data Science, and Generative AI
- Courses in this area will be the most sought after by students by 2026.
- Cybersecurity
- There is a global workforce shortage of 4.8 million in cybersecurity.
- Cloud, Software Engineering, and DevOps
- These skills are in high demand across various industries.
- Business, Digital Marketing, and Transformation
- Global spending on digital marketing is estimated at $700 billion.
- Health, Nursing, and Allied Health
- There is a predicted 11 million health workers workforce gap by 2030.
