Fudan University, a leading institution in China, is making a strategic shift by reducing its humanities enrollments by nearly half while expanding its technology-focused programs. This move aligns with broader national trends emphasizing artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and advanced manufacturing.
At the recent National People’s Congress in Beijing, Fudan University President Jin Li announced plans to restructure engineering departments into six innovation colleges specializing in AI, integrated circuits, and intelligent robotics. As a result, humanities admissions will drop from 30-40% to just 20% of total enrollments.
This shift has sparked debate. Some argue that prioritizing tech fields strengthens China’s global competitiveness. Others worry about the erosion of humanities education, which has long been a cornerstone of elite academic institutions.
China’s Growing Focus on STEM Fields
Fudan is not alone in this transition. Other top-tier institutions, including Peking University and Tsinghua University, are also expanding STEM enrollments. The government has reinforced this push, with the National Development and Reform Commission announcing an additional 20,000 university spots in STEM fields nationwide.
Tsinghua University will increase its undergraduate intake by 150 students, focusing on AI and digital economy programs. Peking University is following suit, also adding 150 spots in fields such as information technology, engineering, and medicine.
This shift is part of a broader national initiative. A 2023 plan issued by the Ministry of Education aims to optimize 20% of university majors by 2025 to align with industry demands. The recent Government Work Report also underscored the importance of restructuring elite universities to bolster China’s innovation capabilities.
The Role of DeepSeek and China’s AI Ambitions
China’s push for AI education is closely tied to its growing technological rivalry with the U.S. AI startups like DeepSeek are at the forefront of this movement. The company’s 140-member R&D team, with an average age of just 28, consists predominantly of graduates from top Chinese universities, challenging the long-held belief that tech talent must be trained abroad.
DeepSeek’s success reflects China’s increasing investment in research and development. Over the past two decades, funding for university research has grown by 15% annually. In fields like quantum computing and AI, Chinese scholars now lead in global paper citation rates, signaling the country’s growing influence in tech innovation.
Global Decline of Humanities Education
China’s move away from humanities is part of a worldwide trend. According to OECD data, humanities enrollments have declined in 80% of member nations over the past decade.
At Harvard University, arts and humanities majors have shrunk from 15.5% to 12.5% in ten years. Similarly, the University of Kent in the UK has phased out six humanities programs, including philosophy and art history. The shift reflects changing job market dynamics, where STEM graduates command higher salaries and stronger career prospects.
The Employment Gap: Humanities vs. STEM
In China, humanities graduates face significant job market challenges. A report by education consultancy MyCOS found that in 2022, software engineers earned an average monthly salary of 7,056 yuan ($976), while visual designers—typically humanities graduates—earned just 5,374 yuan. None of the ten highest-paying degrees in China were in the humanities.
With China’s manufacturing sector evolving toward smart production, demand for talent in AI, semiconductors, and biotechnology is expected to grow further. Experts warn that AI-driven automation could replace entry-level humanities roles in language processing and data analysis, further reducing job opportunities in these fields.
Balancing Tech with the Humanities
Despite the shift toward STEM, some experts argue that humanities education remains crucial. Zhou Yisu, an associate professor at the University of Macau, believes that while lesser-known universities may scale back humanities programs, top institutions must preserve them.
“Elite humanities talent is irreplaceable in the age of AI,” Zhou said. “Many tech companies hire humanities graduates for product design and user research. Even DeepSeek has recruited liberal arts majors.”
Wuhan University Vice President Song Baoliang echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that AI cannot fully replace human creativity and critical thinking. “I tell my students that personal interest matters most. No matter their major, they should embrace AI and integrate it into their field.”
Similarly, Beijing People’s Art Theater Director Feng Yuanzheng experimented with AI-generated scripts but found them lacking emotional depth. “AI can write, but it lacks warmth. Technology has limits, and humans must decide how to use it,” he said.
The Future of Higher Education in China
While AI programs are expanding rapidly, some experts caution against overinvestment. Zhou noted that past trends, such as big data and cloud computing, were once dominant but have since given way to new priorities.
“The real issue isn’t about choosing between humanities and sciences,” Zhou said. “It’s about building a high-quality education system that balances technical skills with critical thinking.”
As China accelerates its AI ambitions, universities must strike a balance—fostering innovation while ensuring that the humanities continue to play a role in shaping well-rounded graduates.
