The Skills Gap in Quantum Computing Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching
Quantum computing stands at the frontier of technological innovation. Promising breakthroughs in areas as diverse as cryptography, materials discovery, optimisation and machine learning, quantum technologies are shifting from academic research to early commercial deployment. Governments, defence organisations, finance firms and tech innovators around the world — including in the UK — are investing heavily in quantum talent and capability. Yet despite this surge in interest and investment, employers consistently report a troubling trend: Many graduates with quantum computing qualifications are not prepared for real-world quantum computing jobs. This isn’t a reflection on students’ intelligence or effort. Rather, it reveals a persistent skills gap between what universities teach and what organisations actually need. In this article, we’ll explore that gap in depth — what universities do well, where programmes fall short, why the divide persists, what employers actually want, and how jobseekers can bridge that gap to build successful careers in quantum computing.
