Schools to add popular major

A total of 120 universities are expected to add low-altitude technology and engineering as a new undergraduate major next year, making it one of the most popular academic subjects as the country aims to cultivate talent for the burgeoning low-altitude economy.

According to a recently released list of undergraduate majors seeking approval from the Ministry of Education, the low-altitude technology and engineering major tops the list for the most popular field of study universities want to add next year.

Online space safety is another popular field, with 55 universities seeking to add that major. A sports training program is sought at 42 universities, a soccer major at 31 and an AI education course of study at 26.

The list, which includes 863 requests from universities to add new majors, is open to public feedback until Sep 13. Universities need to apply a year in advance to add new majors.

The low-altitude technology and engineering major was among 29 new majors approved by the Ministry of Education in April, which aims to align university major implementations with national development needs.

Six top universities, including Beihang University, Beijing Institute of Technology, and the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, have gained approval from the ministry to offer the major this year, with undergraduate students expected to enroll in related programs for the upcoming fall semester.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China has forecast that the domestic low-altitude economy market will reach 1.5 trillion yuan ($209 billion) this year, and grow to 3.5 trillion yuan by 2035.

University majors undergo reshuffles every year. In its latest change released by the Ministry of Education in April, universities nationwide added 1,839 new undergraduate programs while suspending enrollment in 2,220 programs and phasing out 1,428 others in 2025. Additionally, 157 existing programs underwent modifications in degree categories or the duration of study.