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Science and engineering majors continue to dominate university acceptance trends this year in China, according to data from a leading online platform operated by a major tech company. This shift reflects students’ growing alignment of their degree choices with national industrial strategies and job market prospects.
Out of the top ten most popular majors chosen after the highly competitive national college entrance exam, known locally as the gaokao, seven fall within science and engineering disciplines. The platform’s real-time search data highlights the most searched university programs and courses, underscoring current student preferences.
The most sought-after majors include electrical engineering and automation, artificial intelligence, electronic information engineering, computer science and technology, communication engineering, law, economics, psychology, biopharmaceuticals, and digital media technology.
Electrical engineering and automation has maintained its popularity for several years. It has been recognized as a “green major” for four consecutive years, with a job satisfaction rate of 87 percent, placing it third among undergraduate programs nationwide based on employment outcomes. Such “green majors” are linked to careers that tend to see salary growth and rising employment rates over time. The sustained demand is driven by ongoing investments in renewable energy, new power systems, and the digitalization of electrical grids.
Artificial intelligence stands out as the most popular new major. Between 2020 and 2024, four undergraduate fields gained over 200 new specialized tracks, including AI, digital economy, intelligent manufacturing engineering, and big data management. AI alone introduced 406 new specialty programs, making it the top growth area.
AI’s influence is expanding across various academic fields, and it is expected to generate a rising number of interdisciplinary graduates with expertise in areas like economics and management. A university professor noted that the number of hybrid “AI+” degree programs will continue to proliferate, integrating AI into multiple disciplines across academic institutions.
High-paying technical careers, such as integrated circuit design, semiconductor manufacturing, and automotive electronics engineering, are closely connected to electronic information engineering. This field remains highly competitive due to the growth of chip production, electronic manufacturing, and auto electronics industries.
While student preferences favor science and engineering, high popularity doesn’t always guarantee strong employment prospects. Data indicates that fields like AI and digital media technology have varying employment outcomes. Graduates with solid technical skills and practical experience tend to have clear advantages in the job market, whereas those with weaker training face increased competition.
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