China scraps arts, Public Administration,12,000 courses as AI takes over (see list of affected courses)

• China removed or suspended about 12,200 university programmes between 2021 and 2025.

• More than 10,200 new programmes focused on AI, robotics, and technology were introduced.

• Arts, humanities, foreign language, and management courses were among those most affected.

• The reforms are aimed at reducing graduate unemployment and preparing students for future industries.

China has removed or suspended more than 12,000 university degree programmes in a major overhaul of its higher education system, replacing many of them with courses focused on artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, data science, and other emerging technologies.

The move is part of the country's broader strategy to prepare students for the rapidly changing demands of the global economy and strengthen its position in the race for technological innovation.

According to reports, Chinese universities discontinued or suspended approximately 12,200 undergraduate programmes between 2021 and 2025. During the same period, institutions introduced about 10,200 new programmes, making it one of the largest curriculum restructuring efforts in the country's recent history.

The reforms reportedly affected more than 30 per cent of university programmes nationwide.

Many of the courses removed were concentrated in fields such as arts, humanities, foreign languages, and management studies, which authorities believe have become oversaturated and are producing more graduates than the labour market can absorb.

Among the programmes reportedly scrapped, suspended, or restructured were:

• Translation

• Photography

• Animation

• Human Resource Management

• Broadcasting Studies

• Japanese Language

• Logistics Management

• Public Administration

• Urban Management

• Digital Media Arts

• Some music-related programmes

• Some acting-related programmes

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To prepare students for emerging industries, Chinese universities have introduced or expanded programmes in:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Robotics

• Data Science

• Machine Learning

• Big Data

• Intelligent Manufacturing

• Embodied Intelligence

• Smart Grid Information Engineering

• Energy Economics

• Resource Recycling Science

• AI Applications

• Intelligent Systems and Automation-related fields

The changes come as China seeks to strengthen its position in the global technology race, particularly in artificial intelligence. Beijing has repeatedly identified AI as a strategic priority and has invested heavily in research, innovation, and talent development in the sector.

The reforms are also aimed at addressing concerns over graduate unemployment. In recent years, many university graduates have struggled to find jobs related to their fields of study, prompting calls for educational reforms that better align academic training with labour market needs.

Several universities have already launched specialised AI-focused degree programmes and interdisciplinary courses designed to equip students with skills in machine learning, automation, intelligent systems, and data analysis.

Despite headlines suggesting China has simply abolished thousands of degree programmes, reports indicate that many courses were merged, redesigned, suspended, or replaced rather than completely eliminated. At the same time that thousands of programmes were removed, thousands of new ones were created.

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The overhaul reflects a broader global trend as governments and universities reassess traditional academic programmes in response to technological disruption and changing workforce demands.

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries ranging from manufacturing and healthcare to finance and transportation, China appears determined to ensure its universities play a central role in producing the workforce needed for the future.