New research from the hiring platform Indeed reveals a significant shift in the UK job market, with only 14 percent of job postings explicitly mentioning education requirements.
This trend aligns with the findings that 65 percent of UK employers now consider education to be less important when making hiring decisions.
In stark contrast, nearly 50 percent of job postings in the United States specify educational requirements, highlighting a transatlantic difference in recruitment practices. UK employers seem more inclined to focus on practical skills over formal qualifications, particularly in high-skill, technical roles.
Decline in Degree Requirements Across Sectors
Although 61 percent of UK employers still review university degrees during candidate screening, only 5 percent of job postings explicitly state a degree requirement. This marks a notable shift from previous years, with more than half (52%) of sectors reporting lower degree requirements compared to six years ago. High-skill technical jobs, some of which are included on the UK’s skilled worker visa list, are particularly driving this trend towards skills-based hiring.
For instance, jobs in mathematics have experienced a 7 percent decrease in degree requirements between 2018 and 2024. Similarly, occupations in social sciences and information design have seen a 3 percent reduction in degree mentions. This shift reflects a broader move towards evaluating candidates based on their practical experience and skills rather than solely on their educational background.
Rising Education Requirements in Regulated Professions
However, not all sectors are following this trend. Job postings in regulated professions such as dental care, civil engineering, therapy, veterinary medicine, and scientific research and development have seen a slight increase in degree requirements over the past six years. This suggests that in fields where professional standards are tightly regulated, formal education remains a critical criterion.
A preference for skills-based hiring
Jack Kennedy, Senior UK Economist at Indeed, commented on these findings: “Our research highlights a growing preference among UK employers for skills-based hiring over traditional educational qualifications. While many employers still value degrees, there’s a noticeable shift towards assessing candidates based on a broader range of criteria, including practical experience and skills.”
Kennedy also pointed out that even when educational qualifications are not explicitly mentioned, employers may still implicitly expect certain levels of education. He advised employers to clarify their requirements in job postings to ensure they attract the right candidates.
“With labour supply remaining tight in certain sectors, embracing a skills-first hiring approach could help employers tap into a wider talent pool. For job seekers, this shift indicates that while education remains important in some industries, many roles now offer opportunities to those with the right skills and experience, regardless of formal qualifications,” Kennedy added.
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
- Amelia Brand
- Amelia Brand
- Amelia Brand
- Amelia Brand
